Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science

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What is the advantage of IPv6 over IPv4?

It allows for faster internet speeds
It has a larger address space to support more devices
It enhances encryption methods
It simplifies network management

The correct answer is: It has a larger address space to support more devices

The advantage of IPv6 over IPv4 primarily lies in its significantly larger address space, which is crucial for supporting the growing number of devices connected to the internet. IPv4, which uses a 32-bit address scheme, can accommodate around 4.3 billion unique addresses. In contrast, IPv6 employs a 128-bit address scheme, enabling it to generate an astronomical number of unique addresses—approximately 340 undecillion (3.4 x 10^38). This expanded address space is essential as the internet continues to grow, with more devices, such as smartphones, tablets, IoT devices, and other internet-connected technologies coming online. It allows for a unique IP address for each device, which is vital for effective and efficient communication on the network without the complications of address exhaustion and the need for network address translation (NAT) required in IPv4. While the other options mention enhancements related to speed, encryption, and management, the fundamental necessity and primary benefit of moving to IPv6 is its capacity to provide an ample supply of IP addresses, fundamentally addressing the limitations that emerged with IPv4.