Think it through · Start with a story
A robot increases the address length from 32 bits to 128. The girl notices that the number of possible combinations has grown by much more than four times.
Break down the process
- IPv432-bit addresses
- IPv6128-bit addresses
- NotationHexadecimal and colons
- GoalA much larger address space
IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, allowing far more address combinations than IPv4.
Each additional binary bit doubles the number of combinations, so adding bits creates enormous growth. IPv6 addresses are commonly written with colons, and rules allow some groups of zeros to be omitted.
Devices and networks need to support IPv6 for the transition; in practice, both protocols can coexist.
Your turn to try
If 128 bits is four times as long as 32 bits, are there only four times as many addresses?
Have you decided? Open to see the explanation
No. The number of combinations is 2 to the power of 128 versus 2 to the power of 32, so the growth is exponential.
Take away one discovery
IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, allowing far more address combinations than IPv4.
Try covering the diagram and explaining each step to someone at home. If one step is unclear, go back and look at that card again.