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IPv4 Address Class

The IPv4 (internet protocol version 4) address class is the fourth version of internet protocol (a compilation of rules for internet communications). IPv4 is a system used to identify each computer or computerized device on the internet. Each computerized device that is capable of accessing the internet is assigned a unique IPv4 address. There are about 4.3 billion IPv4 addresses available today. IPv4 internet protocol (IP) addresses are 32-bit integers that are expressed in decimal form. For instance, “839.0.2.245” is an example of an IPv4 address in the IPv4 address class. Each computerized device a business has in their possession is assigned a unique IPv4 address.

What Small and Midsize Businesses Need to Know About IPv4 Address Class

4.3 billion IPv4 addresses may sound like a lot, but given the immense number of computerized devices in circulation today, the IPv4 address vault is nearly tapped out. In fact, most new small businesses tend to have IPv4 addresses assigned to their devices that were once assigned to other internet-capable devices. In the near future, it is likely that new small businesses will be unable to obtain an IPv4 address, as the IPv4 vault will be fully exhausted. Instead, small organizations that are new to the market will have to turn to the IPv6 address. This switch from IPv4 to IPv6 will allow newly established small businesses to benefit from various IPv6 features, such as more efficient data processing and routing, as well as a simplified network configuration.

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