Which type of address does IPv6 utilize to allow for more available IPs?

IPv6 utilizes a 128-bit address format, which significantly expands the number of available IP addresses compared to its predecessor, IPv4. This extensive addressing capability allows for approximately 340 undecillion unique IP addresses. The reason for the shift from IPv4, which uses a 32-bit address structure, to IPv6 was driven by the need to accommodate the growing number of devices connected to the internet, ensuring that each device can have a unique address.

In contrast, a 64-bit address, while capable of providing a larger range than IPv4, still falls short of the immense space provided by a 128-bit address. A 256-bit address would theoretically create an even larger address space, but it is not used in IPv6 specifications and exceeds what is necessary for current and foreseeable networking needs. Therefore, the adoption of 128-bit addressing in IPv6 is aimed at solving the limitations of address availability and scalability that were reached with IPv4.