Key Differences: IPv4 vs IPv6 Subnetting
| Feature | IPv4 | IPv6 |
|---|---|---|
| Address Length | 32-bit | 128-bit |
| Subnet Mask | Dotted Decimal | Prefix Length Only |
| Broadcast Address | Yes | No |
| Host Addresses | Limited (4.3B) | Virtually Unlimited |
Why Modern Networks Need Both Protocols
IPv4 Use Cases
- Legacy enterprise networks
- Residential broadband
- Small IoT deployments
IPv6 Advantages
- Massive device support
- Simplified network configuration
- Enhanced security (IPsec)
Enterprise Networking Strategies
Dual-Stack Implementation
Run IPv4 and IPv6 simultaneously during transition periods
NAT64/DNS64 Translation
Connect IPv6-only hosts to IPv4 resources
