What is IPv6 and why is it important?

Internet Basics
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IPv6 is the newest version of the Internet Protocol (IP), which is responsible for identifying devices and routing traffic across networks and the internet.

The previous version, IPv4, has been in use for decades and remains widely used today. However, as more devices connect to the internet, the supply of available IPv4 addresses has become limited. IPv6 was developed to provide a much larger address space and support the continued growth of the internet.

Many internet users already have IPv6 connectivity through their internet provider, often without realizing it. Modern operating systems, smartphones, routers, and websites increasingly support IPv6 alongside IPv4.

If you’d like to learn more about how IPv6 works and why it was developed, check out our complete guide below.

Key Takeaways

  • IPv6 is the successor to IPv4.
  • IPv6 provides significantly more addresses than IPv4.
  • Many devices and internet providers already support IPv6.
  • IPv6 helps support the continued growth of the internet.

Related Resources

Discussion Questions

  • Does your internet provider support IPv6?
  • When did you first notice an IPv6 address on your network?
  • Have you encountered any issues while using IPv6?
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One of the biggest misconceptions about IPv6 is that it will completely replace IPv4 overnight.

In reality, both protocols currently operate side by side across much of the internet. Many networks use a combination of IPv4 and IPv6, allowing devices to communicate using whichever protocol is available.

This transition has been happening gradually for years and will likely continue for the foreseeable future.

Have you checked whether your home network is currently using IPv6?

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I remember when IPv6 felt like something that was always “coming soon.”

Today it’s interesting to see how many networks, websites, and internet providers support it by default. Even though most users never think about IPv6, it’s quietly helping the internet continue to grow behind the scenes.