In the era of digitalization, when practically no human being can imagine one’s life without a computer, it is impossible not to stumble upon the abbreviation IP at some point. Briefly speaking, IP stands for Internet protocol or the identification label assigned to each device connected to the global network. Over the years, the approaches to these protocols systematization have undergone various modifications to obtain a universal pattern.
Over the past years, the most widespread IP version has been considered to be IPv4. However, with the rapid innovation rate in the digital market, a new approach had to be introduced in order to comply with the development pace. Hence, the version IPv6 was introduced to the customers. Before pondering the strategies for the protocols’ migration, it is necessary to consider some of the major differences between the two systems. First of all, the difference in the address length is quite impressive. While IPv4 operates with 32-bit, the IPv6 address length constitutes 128 bit (Samdare, n.d.). Moreover, with the IPv6 protocol, it is possible to achieve an end to end connection integrity. Unlike IPv4, the latter protocol also allows such options as multicast message transmission scheme availability, packetflow identification, and an inbuilt security feature.
Hence, while it is evident that IPv6 has a series of benefits for the overall user connectedness, there exist some stumbling points when it comes to protocol migration. The most alarming issue concerns the protocols incompatibility, as IPv6 is a full-scale alternative rather than an upgraded version (“IPv4 to IPv6 migration strategies and challenges,” n.d.). Another serious challenge is the absence of a feasible mapping scheme in terms of transition, as well as a great variety of difficulties when it comes directly to the process management due to a gap between the protocols.
References
IPv4 to IPv6 migration strategies and challenges. (n.d.). Web.
Samdare, B. (n.d.). Differences between IPv4 and IPv6.