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The Internet runs on different functional and/or technical elements, which all come together as one to deliver its effectiveness. Each Internet Protocol’s IP addresses are significant identifiers of the Internet that allow for differentiation of computers, networks, routers, and websites.
Remember how you say, “Oxygen is to breathe”? So are IP addresses to Internet identification. An IP address is a set of distinct numbers that are mathematically produced to locate devices on a computer or local network. It was written as easily as you wrote in figures, “4,7,2,8,6,…”, just with touches of signs.
Hence, your Internet Protocol address is the configuration of numbers that connects your devices online. These addresses are either provided by your Internet Service Provider, ISP, or a company or body you belong to.
Versions and Types of IP Addresses
However, as distinct as the IP addresses are, there are variations of forms for effective communication too. It all depends on the language of connection, which is usually numbers and punctuation signs, e.g. 255.255.255.255 or 1302:a233:c312:d089:1302:a233:c312:d089
We have 4 different types of IP addresses that connect the Internet to devices:
- Public
- Private
- Static, and
- Dynamic.
The first two types represent the area of application of these Internet Protocols, while the second two types signify the duration of usage for the IP address in question.
Respectively, the public IP address indicates the usage outside of the network, and the private one functions inside the network, just as you might have guessed.
The focus of this article is on the second version of IP addresses. Specifically, the IPv6 address version. But we could not delve into the advanced details without establishing its meaning, preceding counterpart, and significant differences between them.
How to Enable IPv6 on a Computer
Hundreds of devices and computers use the Internet for various purposes. However, as established above, you cannot find any website or information on the Internet without an IP address.
First, some servers don’t require you to enable IPv6 for use. The IP version is a default on Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and servers 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, and 2020. So if you use any device with these specifications, worry not about enabling the IPv6 address.
Test Your IPv6 Compatibility
First, you should check the IPv6 readiness to make contact with a particular website or local network. You don’t know how to go about it? Worry less; the following steps will help you do the IPv6 address lookup.
- Visit the https://test-ipv6.com/ website on the device or computer of choice.
- The website automatically sends signals to your browser to reach several Universal resource locators(URLs).
- With the resulting data, the system identifies if your Internet service provider is ready to accommodate IPv6 or not.
- The data also verify the availability of your current Internet Protocol, which is usually the fourth version of the Internet Protocol, IPv4.
Suppose your results show valid eligibility for your device to connect to a current IPv6; good for you. If it doesn’t, you can stick with the IPv4 or get a device that can connect to the IPv6.
However, some devices would have the capacity to run with an IPv6 address but have the access turned off. You only need to find the ‘turn IPv6 on or off’ button on the device network, and you are good to go.
If you have checked your system readiness for the Internet Protocol version 6, the next thing is to find how to enable it on your computer or network. If you are all in, follow the instructions below:
How to enable IPv6 on Windows 10
- Visit your device “Settings”
- Proceed to “Network and Internet”
- Then go to “Status”
- Choose the “Change adapter options”
- Right-click the active network adapter and tap “properties”
- Unmark the “IPv6 or TCP”
- Save changes by clicking “OK”, and
- Restart your PC.
To disable the IPv6 on your Windows 10, follow all steps above and mark the “IPv6 or TCP”. Save changes and restart too.
How to enable IPv6 on macOS
- Visit your device’s “system preferences”
- Proceed to “Network”
- Tap the “IP/TCP” tab.
- On the “configure IPv6” drop-down, choose “link-local only”
- Save changes by clicking “OK” and restart your Mac.
To disable IPv6 on your macOS, follow all steps above and mark the “IP/TCP”. Save changes and restart too.
How to enable/disable IPv6 on Linux
- Log in to the Linux server with root privileges.
- Add these three lines to the /etc/sysctl.conf file:
- net.ipv6.conf.all.disable_ipv6 = 1
- net.ipv6.conf.default.disable_ipv6 = 1
- net.ipv6.conf.lo.disable_ipv6 = 1
- Save the file and reboot your computer.
Conclusion
The Internet Protocol version enabling and disabling is just as easy as this. Would you agree with us too? Try it out and confirm your guess. And if you need IPv6-enabled web hosting services, Hostsailor is well within reach to cater to such needs. We are one of the few to offer such. Do have a go at our limited coupons and offers here.
