IPv4 and IPv6 | EURid
Home › About us › .eu infrastructure and services › IPv4 and IPv6

IPv4 and IPv6

To be able to connect to the Internet, each device, like a computer or mobile phone, needs and IP address.

IP stands for Internet Protocol and an IP address is the unique, numeric identifier assigned to a device so that other devices and networks can identify it on the Internet.

There are two types of IP addresses:

  • IPv4 addresses consisting of four groups of numbers. For example, xx.xx.xx.xx
  • Newer IPv6 addresses consisting of six groups of hexadecimal numbers. xx::xx::xx::xx::xx::xx

IPv6 addresses several of IPv4's shortcomings, such as speed, ease of configuration, mobility and, most importantly, number of available addresses.

During the transition from IPv4 to IPv6, which is expected to last several years, both protocols will exist in parallel.

.eu and IPv6

EURid offers resolution of .eu domain names both via IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. .eu domain name holders have always been able to use IPv6 addresses for their dedicated name servers, as .eu registration systems have had IPv6-capable nameservers since .eu’s launch in 2006.

If you are connected to the Internet via IPv6, you will automatically reach www.eurid.eu on our IPv6 address.