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What Is an IP Address? Understanding IPv4 and IPv6

An IP address is the backbone of how devices find and communicate with each other across the internet or any network. It’s a unique identifier assigned to every device that connects to the web, whether it’s a computer, smartphone, smart TV, or server.

What Is an IP Address?

IP stands for Internet Protocol. An IP address serves as the “address” of your device on a network, allowing data to find its destination. Just like sending a letter requires a postal address, sending data on the internet needs an IP address.

There are two main versions in use today: IPv4 and IPv6.

IPv4: The Classic Standard

IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) is the original and most widely used version.

  • It uses 32 bits for each address.
  • This allows for about 4.3 billion unique addresses.
  • Typical format: 192.168.1.1 (four groups of numbers, 0–255, separated by dots)

Example:
8.8.8.8 (one of Google’s public DNS servers)

Limitations:
With the explosive growth of internet-connected devices, IPv4 addresses have become scarce. This led to the development of IPv6.

IPv6: The Next Generation

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is designed to solve the address shortage.

  • It uses 128 bits for each address.
  • That’s enough for 340 undecillion (that’s 340 trillion trillion trillion) unique addresses.
  • Typical format: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 (eight groups of hexadecimal numbers, separated by colons)

Benefits of IPv6:

  • Virtually unlimited addresses for future expansion
  • Improved routing and network efficiency
  • Built-in security features and better support for mobile devices

Key Differences Between IPv4 and IPv6

FeatureIPv4IPv6
Address length32 bits (4 bytes)128 bits (16 bytes)
Address formatDecimal, dot-separatedHexadecimal, colon-separated
Total addresses≈4.3 billion≈340 undecillion
NAT (address reuse)Widely usedNot usually needed
SecurityOptional (via IPsec)Built-in IPsec support

Why Does the Difference Matter?

IPv4 and IPv6 can co-exist, but not every network supports both fully. Some older devices only work with IPv4. Modern internet services, web servers, and security tools (like BotBlocker) recognize both versions to ensure complete coverage and effective protection.

FAQ

Why are there two versions of IP addresses?
IPv4 ran out of addresses; IPv6 was created to solve the shortage and future-proof the internet.

Will IPv4 go away soon?
Not likely. Both versions are used together, and full transition to IPv6 will take years.

Does BotBlocker support IPv6?
Yes, it analyzes both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses for accurate bot detection and blocking.

MDN: IP address

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