IPV6: Strengths and Limitations

The landscape of the internet is ever-changing, and it is crucial to remain informed about the most recent developments. Among these advancements is the integration of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). IPv6 represents the latest iteration of the internet protocol, enabling seamless communication between devices across the internet. Its goal is to improve upon its predecessor’s (IPV4) weaknesses, by offering a more expansive address space, enhanced security measures, and improved overall performance. As the internet continues to grow, IPv6 becomes increasingly important, and many sites are now supporting it. In order to support the widespread adoption of 5G communications and the Internet of Things (IoT) in various industries, it is crucial to have a flexible IP technology that can accommodate a large number of addresses and ensure unrestricted connectivity. To meet these demands, the networking industry has initiated a global effort to transition to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). Major governments such as those of the United States of America and China will announce new IPv6 laws and standards. Over 2.5 billion Internet users are currently taking advantage of IPv6 without even being aware of it. While the United States has over 183 million IPv6 users, India has over 519 million, giving it a penetration rate of 76%. Brazil reached 117 million with penetration rate of 42%. In comparison, Germany has more than 32 million people while Japan has 43 million. There are certain countries where the IPv6 penetration rate has above 60%. The enterprise sector is responsible for the remaining 40% of IPv6 adoption, which is necessary for the ultimate switch to an IPv6-only internet. This will make it possible to deprecate the IPv4 internet, which was recently recommended by the United States government, and will result in a reduction in the need to maintain two separate internets. Since the end of 2017, the government of China has made significant efforts to accelerate the deployment of IPv6 across the country, and owing to the participation of Chinese operators, significant headway has been made in this endeavor. According to the latest data, the number of IPv6 users in China has surpassed 760 million. Chinese clients can now access IPv6 connection services, leading to a significant increase in the overall number of IPv6 users. With these tremendous benefits or strength of IPV6, IPV6 is also not immune to limitations. This chapter focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of IPV6. It does give good background of IPv6 and its transitioning intricacies.