The Two Versions of IP
Every device on the internet needs an IP address to send and receive data. Since the internet was invented, two major versions of the Internet Protocol have been used: IPv4 and IPv6. Understanding the difference matters for network troubleshooting, privacy, and knowing what your ISP is actually providing you.
You can check which IP version your connection is using right now with our What's My IP tool. If you see an address like 2001:db8::1, you have IPv6. If you only see a dotted-decimal address, you're on IPv4 only.
IPv4: The Original Internet Address
IPv4 was introduced in 1983 and remains the backbone of most internet traffic today. An IPv4 address is a 32-bit number written as four decimal octets separated by dots:
- Format — Four numbers from 0 to 255, e.g.,
185.60.112.5 - Total addresses — 2³² = approximately 4.3 billion
- Status — Exhausted at the IANA level since 2011; regional pools depleted by 2019–2020
- Workarounds — NAT and CGNAT allow multiple devices to share one address
To cope with exhaustion, ISPs including UAE operators use CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT), which places thousands of customers behind a single public IPv4 address. This works but causes issues with port forwarding, gaming, and remote access. Read more in our Public IP vs Private IP guide.
IPv6: The Modern Internet Address
IPv6 was standardised in 1998 to solve IPv4 exhaustion. It uses 128-bit addresses in hexadecimal colon notation:
- Format — Eight groups of four hex digits, e.g.,
2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334 - Total addresses — 2¹²⁸ = 340 undecillion (3.4 × 10³⁸) — enough to give every atom on Earth its own address
- Shorthand rules — Leading zeros omitted; consecutive zero groups replaced with
:: - Built-in features — Auto-configuration (SLAAC), better multicast, no need for NAT
IPv4 vs IPv6: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | IPv4 | IPv6 |
|---|---|---|
| Address length | 32-bit | 128-bit |
| Format | Dotted decimal (192.168.0.1) | Hex colon (2001:db8::1) |
| Total addresses | ~4.3 billion | 340 undecillion |
| Address exhaustion | Yes (since 2011) | No foreseeable limit |
| NAT required | Yes (due to shortage) | No (every device gets unique IP) |
| Header complexity | Variable length, complex | Fixed 40-byte header, simpler |
| Auto-configuration | Requires DHCP | SLAAC (stateless, no server needed) |
| Security | IPsec optional | IPsec originally mandatory (now optional) |
| Privacy extensions | N/A | Yes (randomised temporary addresses) |
| UAE ISP support | Universal | Dual-stack on e& and Du fibre/5G |
Dual-Stack Networking: Running Both Simultaneously
The internet cannot switch from IPv4 to IPv6 overnight — billions of devices and services are IPv4-only. The solution is dual-stack: devices run both protocols at the same time. When you visit a website, your device checks if it supports IPv6 first and prefers it; if not, it falls back to IPv4. This is transparent to users.
The "Happy Eyeballs" algorithm (RFC 8305) makes this seamless by racing IPv4 and IPv6 connections and using whichever completes first, avoiding delays when one protocol is slow.
How e& and Du Handle IPv6 in the UAE
Both major UAE ISPs have deployed IPv6 across their networks:
- e& (Etisalat) — Offers dual-stack on fibre (eLife) and 5G connections. Most modern eLife routers assign both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses automatically.
- Du — Dual-stack support available on fibre plans. Some older residential plans may still be IPv4-only with CGNAT. Upgrading your router or requesting IPv6 enablement from support can help.
To check whether your UAE connection has IPv6, visit our What's My IP tool — it will display your IPv6 address if your ISP provides one.
Privacy Implications of IPv6
Because IPv6 provides enough addresses for every device to have a unique global address, there is no NAT — meaning your device's address is directly visible to every website you visit. Early implementations used your device's MAC address to generate an IPv6 address, making it uniquely trackable.
Modern operating systems counter this with IPv6 Privacy Extensions (RFC 4941), which generate random temporary addresses that rotate periodically. Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android all enable this by default. Still, if privacy is a primary concern, consider using a VPN that supports IPv6 — read our guide on what a VPN is and how to hide your IP address.
Why the Transition Is Taking So Long
IPv6 has existed for over 25 years but still carries less than half of global internet traffic. The reasons include:
- Legacy infrastructure — Enterprise routers, firewalls, and software written for IPv4 require costly upgrades.
- NAT as a band-aid — CGNAT lets ISPs extend IPv4 lifespan, reducing immediate pressure to migrate.
- Chicken-and-egg problem — Content providers waited for ISPs; ISPs waited for content providers.
- Training and complexity — IPv6 administration differs enough from IPv4 to require retraining network engineers.
For context on how your internet connection is structured, see our guides on what an IP address is and what an ISP does.