Is IPv6 Better For Gaming?

Yes, IPv6 is better for gaming because it offers a greater advantage to the user in that they will have an identically addressed IP address on their connection. An IPv4 address is usually only associated with one device at a time, which means the user’s internet connection may be bottlenecked depending on how many devices are connected. With IPv6, there will always be a separate IP address for each device – meaning no potential problems with IP addresses and increased speed.

With online gaming, one of the most vulnerable aspects is your hardware’s network interface. When you connect to the games, typically through an Xbox or PlayStation, your device needs a stable connection that doesn’t falter when many other devices on the network also need to access resources and information.

IPv6 benefits over IPv4 for gaming

There are many advantages to using the new protocol for online gaming. Here are a few of them that will benefit you and your gaming experience:

  • IPv6 Is Fast

You can rest assured that your games will be more fluid with an IPv6 connection than you can get on an IPv4 connection. With the protocol, you’ll always have a faster connection than you do right now with the older one.

  • More Reliable Connection

Another benefit of using the newer protocol is that it will be easier to maintain a secure connection to your router and other devices on your network. This should make online gaming much easier for you to enjoy.

  • Better Multiplayer Communication

The protocol is built to guarantee the synchronization of two devices that are involved in a gaming session. This means that you can connect to your friends and other players who are on different platforms easily and with a higher level of security. This will ensure better communication between everyone involved in the online gaming process.

When you play online games, having a fast connection that does not lag can have a profound effect on your gaming experience. For example, if you are playing a first-person shooter like Call of Duty or Battlefield, which is built for fast response times and smooth game play, then you definitely need to have an IPv6 connection.

In fact, many gamers who use an IPv4 connection experience lag time when they play against someone with an IPv6 connection.

  • Improved Connectivity

Another benefit to using IPv6 when playing a video game is improved connectivity. The protocol allows you to connect to other devices on your home network more quickly. This can be very helpful if you want to play against someone who is on your home wireless network with a device that requires a wired connection. Using a wired connection for gaming can make the process of getting into the game more seamless.

  • Improved Security

Another benefit of using IPv6 over IPv4 is improved security for online gaming. The new protocol is built with more advanced security features than IPv4. This can help find potential hackers and stop them from infiltrating your system.

WHAT IS IPV6?

If you are tech-savvy or a gamer concept of IPv6 is not new to you , but just in case you need a refresher here’s a quick overview of what IPv6.

IPv6 (IP – Internet Protocol version 6) is the internet protocol that replaced the older IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4). It was developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and is published as an informational RFC 2460. IPv6 is a standards-based protocol that offers many improvements over IPv4, such as universal addressability, autoconfiguration, simplified header structure, improved support for security, and optional features. The protocol was published in 1998 and has since been implemented by many companies and organizations.

The main benefit of an IPv6 compatible service is it eliminates Network Address Translation (NAT)  which is a requirement for more than one device connecting to the Internet.

WHAT IS NEW ABOUT IPV6?

We all know that IPv4 requires us to have a unique IP address for each device on the internet, which can be a real hassle if you want to connect more than one device at home. With IPv6 this will no longer happen.

With IPv6, there is no longer a need for NAT, which requires the devices to have a unique IP address, and only one device connects at any given time.

The new protocol allows devices connected to the network to share an address. This means that you can use your internet connection for multiple devices without having to worry about running out of addresses.

IPv6 also provides more security and privacy features than its predecessor. These features promote better identity management practices through the use of digital certificates.

How to enable IPv6 on Xbox?

In order to use the new protocol on your gaming console, you’ll need to change some of the settings. If you are connected directly to your ISP, then this process should not be a problem. It will only take a few minutes for you to make the switch and enjoy the benefits of having an IPv6 connection.

  • To start, open up your Xbox One or Xbox 360 dashboard and select “Settings.”
  • After that, choose “Network” from the list of options to proceed with configuring your network settings.
  • Choose “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)” from the list of options, and then select “Properties” from the drop down menu that appears.

Now you will be able to change your settings as you wish. These steps will have made the switch to IPv6 easy for you. However, if you are using a router that changes IP addresses automatically, then you may need to configure certain settings manually.

How to enable IPv6 on PS4?

To enable IPv6 on your PlayStation 4 console, you will need to sign in through the Settings menu.

  • If you are signed into your Sony Entertainment Network account, then go to “Settings” and select “PlayStation Network/Account Management”.
  • After that, choose “Create a User” and enter a new password for the new user profile before signing in. Choose “Sign In” and also “Don’t Save”.

Now, you should be able to log in with the new username and password.

  • Go back to the main screen by pressing the “X” button and choose “Settings” from the list of options.
  • Now select “Network Settings” and press the “X” button one more time.
  • Select “Set Up Internet Connection”.
  • After that, select “Wired Connection” and choose “Yes” when asked if you want to use a LAN Cable.
  • Then choose “Custom IP Address”, and then type in any valid IP address.

If you have a router that changes IP addresses automatically, then you will need to configure some settings yourself.

What is IPV6 TUNNELING?

IPv6 has two new functions that will increase security from hackers. The first is IP tunneling; this works similarly to IPv4 NAT, but allows traffic to flow over a private network instead of your home router or ISP.

On some routers you will find an option called “IPv6 Tunnel” and that is how you enable the IPv6 traffic to go through the router. Another way is to enable “IPv6 over IPv4 tunnelling” on your home network.

In order to make use of the IPv6 tunneling, you’ll need to use the IPv4 address range of your local network with a prefix length of 64. So if we use a private IP address for example, 192.168.1.1/64 then is used as the public identifier.

The first thing you will need to do is enable “IPv6 over IPv4 tunnelling” on your home network. This will determine the communication of IPv6 devices and some applications on your network, like the Xbox One and PS4, to each other.

BENEFITS OF TUNNELING

The benefits of IPv6 tunneling are pretty much the same as IPv4 NAT. The main benefit is that it will allow you to connect multiple devices to the internet without needing a unique address for each one.

Another benefit is that it will provide more security when it comes to online gaming

On Windows 7-8 you can enable IPV6 connectivity by going to options –> networking and enabling autoconfiguration. Then try playing on Xbox One or PS4. It worked for me 🙂

Things you should know about IPv6

  • IPv6 is not backwards compatible with IPv4. This means that you will not be able to use both protocols on the same network at the same time.
  • IPv6 is not a replacement for IPv4. This means that while you will be able to use the internet, and play online games, there will still be applications that do not work on IPv6.
  • IPv6 will run on top of your current network connection, so if you have an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi NIC, it should work as expected. If you are not sure if your router supports IPv6, check with your provider to see if they have an IPv6 configuration option available for it.

In conclusion, you should be able to use IPv6 on your Xbox One and PS4. This should open up a whole new world of online gaming fun, without the need for address conflicts.

One important things to remember is that IPv6 is going to be a slow adoption, so not all games will support it right away. However, in time you should be able to enjoy this new protocol and benefit from the increased security and functionality.