Top 10 Features that make IPv6 'greater' than IPv4--part2

#2) IPv6 provides better end-to-end connectivity than IPv4

The most exciting applications to emerge in recent days are peer-to-peer applications such as multi-player online games, video-conferencing (streaming media), file sharing and VoIP. In peer-to-peer networking, a group of computers can communicate directly with each other and do not need a central server. Peer-to-peer applications demand end-to-end connections between unique IP addresses.


Challenge to IPv4

As mentioned earlier, the shortage of addresses caused by IPv4 has been overcome to some extent by using NAT, which basically translates one unique global address to multiple private addresses. In the absence of unique IP addresses for each end, NAT creates difficulty in ensuring proper end-to-end services. The present solution is for the application developer to engineer special NAT traversal techniques or to have additional servers to simulate peer-to-peer communication.

Consider an EPABX service, which handles many internal numbers. After dialing an EPABX number, a further connection needs to be established to one of the many internal phones. Any interruption in the call will require that the EPABX number be dialed again and the connection reestablished. This is completely avoided in case of dial-ups between two independent telephone numbers.


How does IPv6 provide a solution?

IPv6 with its large address space no longer requires NAT and can ensure true end-to-end connectivity. This means peer-to-peer applications like VoIP or streaming media can work very effectively and efficiently with IPv6.