Converting from IPv4 to IPv6 to Remain Consistent in the Modern Digital Age

By Earthnet Inc. September 23, 2016

The Internet Protocol (IP) is the main medium of information presentation and transfer on the internet. It is responsible for controlling and sending groups of data between the different connected computers. The IP is essentially what the internet is all about. It was set up to control a few computers in its earliest form. Thus, first, we need to understand all about the IP systems themselves.

Understanding IP

The internet protocol (IP) is a protocol that describes the rules of communication on the internet between the different computers. It can simply be defined as a set of rules that allow computers to remain connected with each other while avoiding the other computers present in the same internet world.

Differentiating the Addresses in IPv4 and IPv6

The IPv4 system uses IP addresses which are designed to identify systems that are connected to the main body of the internet. These addresses employ a system of dotted decimal notations uses 4 separate bytes. Here is a typical example of an IP address: “192.165.200.1”. The numbers separated by dots, each express one byte and therefore, combine to create 4-byte addresses.

The IPv6 system is designed to operate using 128 bits for addressing. The system usually employs the hexadecimal notations for easily writing the addresses as each place in hexadecimal system can show four bits. A typical example of an IPv6 address is “200A:0BBD:BF22:EF01:0100:1100:0101:0001”. The later binary addresses can all be set to zero when an IPv6 address is required to connect to an older IPv4 server system.

Exhausted Space

New websites are already prepared on IPv6 because the space on the previous version was officially exhausted on February 3rd, 2011. The conversion from IPv4 to IPv6 is now essential for all older websites too, as all the new web elements are all being prepared to only support the newer protocol because it offers various advantages. The IPv6 can allow much more addresses due to its double addressing size of 128 bits.

Conversion Tools

There are many conversion tools available that help website owners to transfer websites from IPv4 to IPv6. It is not easy to perform this conversion alone. There are no fixed tables or entry converters that can ideally be used to perform the conversion automatically. These conversions, therefore need to be performed manually and often require the support and efforts of trained IT professionals.

Various tools can only help network administers to manage functions during a conversion process by knowing the changed address in the new protocol and linking both websites to a single server for connection with the outside world. Only expert professionals will be able to set up the original conversions that allow network administers to close the older servicing modules.

Using Professionals for the Shift

There are many companies that are offering the services of converting internet applications and services from IPv4 to IPv6. These companies have expert professionals who are able to translate individual addresses and then perform the proper routing and network elements that are required to put the web elements on the new internet transport layer.

There are no fixed policies for making this conversion, and therefore, it is always best to hire professionals even when you are trying to keep both the older IPv4 network, as well as the newer IPv6 version with more capabilities. Networking experts will be able to offer a solution by using an IPv6 service stack and putting the older network addresses within it.

Small businesses can truly take advantage of converting to the new internet module by ensuring that their internet services remain relevant when the older version finally goes out of service. The new protocol offers advantages of robustness and better connectivity. You need to hire the right professionals to convert from IPv4 to IPv6.

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