Skip to content

Understanding IPv4/IPv6 Dual Stack for Networking

What is IPv4/IPv6 Dual Stack?

The Internet world is shifting to an entirely new IP address format because we’ve run completely out of current IPv4-type addresses. And it’s a serious issue.

The new IP address format is called IPv6, and it’s been around for a while, waiting in the wings. The IPv6 format creates an IP address with a much longer number, which allows for a great many more IP addresses—so many, we should never run out again!

Here’s an example of the difference between the two formats:

  • Sample IPv4 address: 192.168.1.2
  • Sample IPv6 address: 2001:0578:0123:4567:89AB:CDEF:0123:4567

One significant problem is that the two IP address formats aren’t compatible and total conversion to IPv6 is a way off.

Addressing the confusion.

Until we’re an IPv6-only world, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) need to provide their customers with Internet connectivity, whether the host-to-server (you to a website) connection is IPv4-to-IPv4 or IPv6-to-IPv6.

Fortunately, there is a plan.

Dual stack to the rescue.

ISPs have chosen an IP address transition method called dual-stack. With the dual-stack solution, every networking device, server, switch, router, and firewall in an ISP’s network will be configured with both IPv4 and IPv6 connectivity capabilities. Most importantly, dual-stack technology allows ISPs to process IPv4 and IPv6 data traffic simultaneously.

What does this mean to you? You’ll be able to keep surfing the Internet without wondering if your connection will stop working because of the IP address conversion.

WhatIsMyIPAddress.com…now showing IPv6!

By going to WhatIsMyIPAddress.com, you’ll be able to see if you’re connecting with an IPv4 address, an IPv6 address, or both. If you see only an IPv4 address on your laptop or desktop computer, your Internet provider isn’t delivering dual-stack connectivity yet.

You’ll likely see an IPv6 address on your smart devices or a combination of an IPv6 and an IPv4. What are you seeing right now on your computer? Click to find out.

Related Articles

 

Related Articles

All
  • All
  • Easy Prey Podcast
  • General Tech Topics, News & Emerging Trends
  • Home Computing to Boost Online Performance & Security
  • IP Addresses
  • Networking Basics: Learn How Networks Work
  • Online Privacy Topics to Stay Safe in a Risky World
  • Online Safety
  • Uncategorized
Danny Funt talks about online sports betting and the dangers of the industry.

Online Sports Betting: Harmless Fun or Exploiting Fans?

You’ve almost certainly seen the ads somewhere. Make money from being a sports fan! Bet just a…

[Read More]
Mike Blumenthal talks about fake businesses on Google Maps - why they happen and how to avoid them.

Fake Businesses on Google Maps May Lead You Into a Scam

Imagine this: You’re coming home late one night, exhausted and ready to fall into bed, and as…

[Read More]
What Are Chatbots?

What is a Chatbot? Here are Some Basic Facts and Views.

Still, it’s clear that once explored and used, ordinary people discover how extremely useful, powerful, and different...

[Read More]
Using a VPN

Why Using a VPN is More Important Than Ever When You’re Online

The VPN does one thing primarily and does it well. The main trick a VPN does when...

[Read More]
Simple. Secure. Sign in. ID.me

What is ID.me? One Day, You Might Need to Know.

If a friend asked you, what is ID.me, would you be able to answer? You really should,...

[Read More]
Jay Jones talks about job opportunity scams.

Job Opportunity Scams: Beware If You’re Looking for Work!

Getting a message from a recruiter when you’re looking for work seems like a good thing. But…

[Read More]