IPv4 and IPv6 Comparison
Abstract
IPv4 and IPv6, just as with many other aspects of the internet world, have similarities and differences; one of the similarities is that both IPv4 and IPv6 use the Domain Name System, DNS. The difference between the IPv4 and IPv6 is how the DNS is implemented. Proper knowledge of and being able to understand the similarities and differences between IPv4 and IPv6 application of DNS is vital. A very important aspect to being able to set-up a network and facilitate the use of both, is know how they work. This is especially important as many networks use both IPv4 and IPv6 and as IPv6 becomes used more prominently than IPv4.
The use of DNS makes it easier for the individual to know where to go in the internet world; remembering hundreds of IP address is next to impossible. DNS makes it possible for an individual to type words or the name of the website that they understand and then translates it in to a language the internet understands; DNS assists in the data communication between an individual network and the internet (IBM Knowledge Center, 2016). Information packets are used to transport the information and make communication easier for both the human and the machine.
IPv4 and IPv6 Implementation of DNS: Similarities
When applying DNS, IPv4 and IPv6 tend to use the same domain names and end up at the same IP addresses.
IPv4 and IPv6 have various things that are similar. First, IPv4 and IPv6 employ similar names in the domain when attaching the domain names to an IP address. During the implementation, the domain names do not change but the IP addresses undergo some change. DNS operates through getting domain and enabling it to check the resource records on whether they are of “A” or “AAAA” type (Nizar & Ali, 2012). The results depend on the IP version used, to determine whether the domain name is listed. At a point where the domain name is enlisted with “A” or “AAAA” the domain name is resolved. If the domain name is listed in these “A” or “AAAA” records, the name is resolved. If it does not exist in the local records, the DNS server queries the root DNS server to ensure the name is resolved (Nizar & Ali, 2012). This form of query is known as a reclusive query. On the other hand, is the iterative query in which domain name can be resolved locally at a specific DNS Level. Therefore, it is evident that IPv4 and IPv6 use similar names in resolving domain names.
The second commonality is the use of similar DNS servers for IPv4 and IPv6. Various companies and organizations have not moved fully from IPv4 to IPv6 thus the significance of them using similar server. It is also economical for companies which have their own local DNS servers (Nizar & Ali, 2012).
The third, similarity is that it is possible for a DNS query to give a result of one IPv4 address and one or several IPv6 addresses. This is possible following the potential of a device having a number of IPv6 address assigned. The devices found at the source as well as destination addresses have a choice of using one of two procedures to define on the address of the source or destination. The methods offer network administrators an opportunity to override default behaviors (Juniper Networks, 2014). In two forms of stack networks, the destination device employs the two IP versions but it assigns one based on the preferred IP addressing scheme used.
IPv4 and IPv6 Implementation of DNS: Differences
There are a number of differences between DNS in IPv6 and IPv4. The first difference is that automatic updates of DNS records are functional in IPv6. On the other IPv4 does not support the automatic updates. Instead the IPv4 records are updated manually. In some networks where the host obtains the IP address through Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and the host may get different locations from time to time, dynamic updates becomes the most outstanding for resource records. DHCP operates through enabling the devices without an IP address to lease an IP for a specific amount of time, which make the device be a section of the IP network. The element is significant for a company or organization with employees who work from laptops, tablets, amongst other wireless devices.
The second difference is that IPv4 and IPv6 employ different host records. IPv4 uses “A” records while IPv6 employs “AAAA”, which are also known as quad resource records. The application of the two file types in the DNS servers on the DNS hierarchy may be extremely difficult. However, it is necessary until the completion of the change from IPv4 to IPv6. Type “A” records gets superseded immediately the transfer to IPv6 occurs. As a result, the DNS servers in the DNS hierarchy become easy with only minimal file type to support. A situation where the DNS servers within the DNS hierarchy are able to handle both IPv4 and IPv6 file types is called a dual stack. The dual stacking technology has undergone extensive enhancements since its conceptions. At the moment, it employs unique features such as DSTM (Dual Stack Transition Mechanism), which similar to DHCP at the point that it offers a temporary IP address to a device (Juniper Networks, 2014). Also, it is significant in networks in a case of limited number of IPv4 addresses.
Tunneling is the other process for handling an IPv6 address on an IPv4 network. There are a number of ways for the configuration of the process. The configuration mainly relies on the sender as well as the receiver in a communication. Purposely, the tunneling can occur between two routers, two hosts, or a situation of a host to a router.
Moreover, Pointer (PTR) records can be designed to help in resolving an IPv6 address. This is significant following the considerable differences in the length of IPv6 addresses and IPv4 addresses. PTR records are storage files for IPv6 addresses to help in resolving domain names to IPv6 addresses (Juniper Networks, 2014). Although, these files creation is optional their configuration is paramount.
Using IPv6 versus IPv4: Advantages
The first advantage to using IPv6 instead of IPv4 is that both versions resolve domain names into IP addresses using the same process. This makes work easier for an IT professional or network manager. Another advantage to using IPv6 instead of IPv4 is that IPv6 has automatic updates on its records while IPv4 cannot support it. In the implementation of IPv4, the network administrator or IT technician has to have manual updates for the records or command the network to a dynamic update (Juniper Networks, 2014). However, the two networks require extra time while setting up.
Using IPv6 versus IPv4: Disadvantages
Of course, where there are advantages, there are also disadvantages associated with the implementation of DNS in IPv6 versus IPv4. The first, demerit of using IPv6 is that it could lead to slower access to the web. The purpose for this is that most of the current networks operate a dual stack network in series and not in parallel (Internet Society, 2016).
Older networks and servers do not fully support IPv6 functionality so the change to IPv6 would require any company, organization, or individual to upgrade their network, equipment, and servers. For this, it would cost a large amount of money, which could be a huge disadvantage to smaller companies or individuals. Even for a large company it would still be a downfall since they would have a larger amount of equipment to switch out and work to do given they did not have IPv6 compatible equipment (Internet Society, 2016).
Conclusion
Grasping the differences between IPv4 and IPv6 implementation of the Domain Name System is an important place to start in order to understand the overall workings of IPv4, IPv6, and DNS. The similarities and differences alike will have advantages and disadvantages for any individual encountering IPv4 and IPv6. Not knowing how DNS is implemented makes life and navigation through the network that much more difficult.
References
IBM Knowledge Center, (2016). Comparison of IPv4 and IPv6 Retrieved from http://www-01.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/ssw_ibm_i_72/rzai2/rzai2compipv4ipv6.htm
Internet Society (2016). IPv6 - Frequently Asked Questions on IPv6 adoption and IPv4 exhaustion. Isoc.org. Retrieved 16 February 2016, from https://www.isoc.org/internet/issues/ipv6_faq.shtml
Juniper Networks, (2014). Learn About: Differences in Addressing Between IPv4 and IPv6. Retrieved from https://www.juniper.net/techpubs/en_US/learn-about/ipv4-ipv6-differences.pdf
Nizar, A., & Ali, A. (2012). Comparison study between IPV4 & IPV6 IJCSI. IJCSI International Journal Of Computer Science Issues, 9(3), 314 - 317.
