What is Geolocation and IP address for IPv4 and IPv6?

Geolocation is one of the most important keys for businesses to track potential customers for advertising or to restrict or allow visitors to websites from a country. Geolocation is collected by websites or browsers to get the IP address of the visitors.

There are various websites or even technologies that aid in finding a lot of information about a visitor through their IP address. Any device connected to the internet or can be tracked through GPS or mobile network has geolocation. Meaning it could be a smartphone, smartwatch, fitness tracker, laptop, computer, etc.

What is Geolocation?

Geolocation is the geographic location, meaning latitude and longitude of a device connected through the internet.

Some of the information that can be collected by knowing geolocation are Country, Region, state or province, Latitude and longitude, Time zone, City, Postal code, and Issuing Authority of the IP address like RIPE, APNIC, LACNIC, AFRINIC, etc. It is important though to understand that without the user’s approval, businesses may not be able to get their geolocation as for that they may need to allow detection of location for Apps or allow cookies on websites. It is against the user privacy policy if businesses try to access the information of users without their knowledge.

In general, an IP address is by default an IPv4. An IPv4 is the 4th version of Internal Protocol. It routes internet traffic, but considering IPv4 addresses are almost running out, IPv6 addresses are slowly being deployed across the globe.

What is IPv6?

IPv6 is the next-generation version of Internet Protocol, version 6. It was developed by Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) due to the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses.

Difference between IPv4 and IPv6:

IPv6 is the next version of IPv4

IPv6 simplifies the address size to 128 bits, rather than 32 bits of IPv4.

IPv6 has unlimited addresses compared to IPv4 which was limited to only 4.3 billion addresses.

How to upgrade to IPv6?

Upgrading to IPv6 meaning to start using internet devices that have an IP address of version 6. IPv6 deployment is happening but at a slower pace, since businesses are still using IPv4 addresses.

Alpha InfoLab is an Information Technology company that also provides Server Hosting services and it has technology, experience, and knowledge of deploying IPv6 for businesses. It also has helped many businesses deploy both IPv4 and IPv6 using technologies like Dual-Stack where both the IP address versions can connect.

However, businesses should make the switch from IPv4 to IPv6 as soon as possible to maintain stability within networks. IPv6 can also support next-generation technologies like IoT, 5G, Machine Learning, etc.

Where we use IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 and IPv6 can be used together or separately in the following conditions:

For Bulk Email Marketing.

To run third-party applications on your server for greater security.

When you want to create a proxy server for secured routing of internet traffic.

IPv4 can be used along with IPv6 until a complete transition to IPv6 takes place.

IPv4 can be used when your development team is testing websites or servers.

How to generate revenue from IPv4?

When your business is ready to switch from IPv4 to IPv6, you may find that the deployment of IPv6 could be expensive. One way to reduce the IPv6 deployment cost is to generate revenue for IPv6 by selling IPv4 on the IPv4 Exchange Platform. On the exchange platform sellers and buyers bid for IP blocks from RIPE, LACNIC, APNIC, ARIN at a Fair Market Price. Alpha InfoLab being the official broker it makes sure the exchange of IP blocks is transparent, fair practices, and RIR regulations are followed.

Choosing IPv6 is a wise choice for businesses as it makes their business ready for advanced technologies and maintains a robust and secure networking infrastructure. Especially, when IPv4s may not exist in the next 10 years.

For more information on switching to IPv6 and monetizing by selling IPv4s, connect with IPv4.deals and Alpha InfoLab experts here.