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    Question

    In the context of IPv4 vs. IPv6, which of the following

    statements is true regarding address space? 
    A IPv4 supports 2³² addresses, while IPv6 supports 2¹²⁸ addresses. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B IPv4 and IPv6 support the same number of unique addresses. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C IPv4 has an unlimited address space, whereas IPv6 has a limited address space. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D IPv4 uses hexadecimal notation, while IPv6 uses decimal notation. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E IPv6 was designed to be backward compatible with IPv4 addressing. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    IPv4 supports a theoretical maximum of 2³² addresses, which is approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses. This limitation is one of the reasons for the transition to IPv6, which was developed to accommodate the growing number of devices connected to the internet. IPv6 supports an extraordinarily vast address space of 2¹²⁸ addresses, which amounts to approximately 340 undecillion addresses. This significant increase in address capacity allows for a virtually limitless number of unique IP addresses, making it possible to assign an address to every device on the planet, along with many more. The transition from IPv4 to IPv6 not only provides enhanced address space but also includes improvements in routing and network autoconfiguration. This transition is crucial for ensuring the scalability and functionality of the internet as the number of connected devices continues to rise. • Option B (IPv4 and IPv6 support the same number of unique addresses) - This statement is false, as IPv4's address space is vastly smaller than that of IPv6. • Option C (IPv4 has an unlimited address space) - IPv4 has a finite address space, which is a significant limitation that led to the development of IPv6. • Option D (IPv4 uses hexadecimal notation) - IPv4 addresses are represented in decimal notation (e.g., 192.168.1.1), while IPv6 addresses are represented in hexadecimal notation. • Option E (IPv6 was designed to be backward compatible with IPv4 addressing) - While IPv6 incorporates some transitional mechanisms, it is fundamentally a different protocol and not backward compatible with IPv4.

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