IP Address, also known as Internet Protocol Address, is a string of numbers with a length of 32 bits (IPv4) or 128 bits (IPv6) used to identify a network device on the network system to help them recognize and communicate with each other. IPv6 is developed based on the IPv4 platform to address the shortage of IPv4 addresses. With a 128-bit data length, IPv6 has up to 2.56 trillion trillion IP addresses, significantly more than IPv4. The advent of IPv6 has partly addressed the issue of IPv4 depletion to continue Internet operations, and overcome current weaknesses of IPv4 addresses such as lack of network security mechanisms, encryption needs, and low-quality control (QoS). So, if you need to use the IPv6 protocol, what do you need to do? Refer to the article below for instructions on how to convert IPv4 addresses to IPv6 and vice versa.
Converting IPv4 addresses to IPv6 and vice versa
Let's take an example of an IPv4 address: 192.168.25.234. To convert IPv4 to IPv6 and vice versa, we have 2 main methods as follows:
Method 1: Manually converting IPv4 to IPv6
For the IPv4 address above, we divide it into 4 sections, divide each section by 16, and record the result obtained along with the remainder.
192 : 16 = 12 remainder 0
168 : 16 = 10 remainder 8
25 : 16 = 1 remainder 9
234 : 16 = 14 remainder 10
Comparing with HEX values, we have:
A = 10
B = 11
C = 12
D = 13
E = 14
F = 15
Based on the calculation results above, we combine the result and remainder (result first, remainder after) to get: C0A8:19EA
Thus, the IPv6 address of 192.168.25.234 is C0A8:19EA
Since IPv4 addresses only have 32 bits, while IPv6 addresses have 128 bits, we are missing 96 bits. These 96 bits are a sequence of 0s. Therefore, to accurately represent, we have 2 ways of representation as follows:
Full representation 0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:C0A8:19EA
Shortened representation ::C0A8:19EA
To convert back IPv6 address to IPv4, we do as follows:
C0 = (12 x 16) + 0 = 192
A8 = (10 x 16) + 8 = 168
19 = (1 x 16) + 9 = 25
EA = (14 x 16) + 10 = 234
So we will have the IPv4 address of C0A8:19EA as 192.168.25.234
Method 2: Online conversion from IPv4 to IPv6
Currently, there are many websites and services that support us in quickly converting IPv4 addresses to IPv6 and vice versa without the need for manual methods as above. Readers can refer to some of the following service websites:
1. isc.sans.edu Website
Step 1: Visit the online IPv4 to IPv6 conversion service website isc.sans.edu HERE
Step 2: Enter the IPv4 address to be converted into the blank box as shown in the image below and click Submit
Immediately afterward, we will have the result as the IPv6 address shown in the image below in both full and shortened notation.
2. Ultratools Website
Step 1: Visit the online IPv4 to IPv6 conversion service website ultratools HERE
Step 2: Enter the IPv4 address to be converted into the blank box as shown in the image below and click GO
The result for the IPv6 address will be in the Mapped Address line as shown in the image below.
3. ipv6.ztsoftware Website
Step 1: Visit the online IPv4 to IPv6 conversion service website ipv6.ztsoftware HERE
Step 2: On the website interface, scroll down, paste the IPv4 address into the IP field, and click IPv6 condensed to convert
And you will receive the result similar to the image below.
4. Subnetonline Website
Step 1: Visit the online IPv4 to IPv6 conversion service website Subnetonline HERE
Step 2: On the website interface, scroll down, paste the IPv4 address into the IP field, and click IPv6 condensed to convert
And you will receive the result similar to the image below.
So, with the instructions on how to convert IPv4 to IPv6 and vice versa provided here, hopefully, readers will equip themselves with a suitable conversion method for their needs. Any questions or concerns, readers can provide feedback directly below this article, and we will discuss together. Changing your IP address helps you enhance the security of your computer, and the methods of changing IP addresses have been shared in our previous tips and tricks articles.