What is the main reason for the creation of IP version 6?

The primary reason for the creation of IP version 6 (IPv6) is rooted in the limitations of IPv4, particularly regarding the number of unique addresses it can provide. IPv4 utilizes a 32-bit addressing scheme, which allows for approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses. As the internet grew and the number of devices connected to it skyrocketed, it became glaringly evident that this address space would soon be exhausted.

IPv6, on the other hand, employs a 128-bit addressing scheme, vastly expanding the number of available addresses to about 340 undecillion (3.4 x 10^38). This immense increase not only accommodates current needs but also anticipates future growth in internet-connected devices. Hence, the development of IPv6 was fundamentally driven by the need to ensure an adequate supply of unique addresses for the ever-expanding global network.

While faster transmission speeds and reduced latency may be potential benefits of IPv6, the primary motivation behind its development was to address the limitations of address availability inherent in IPv4.