Why is ipv6 128bit and not 64bit?

Computer processors moved from 32bit to 64bit. Why have IPs moved from 32bit to 128bit (skipping 64bit) ?

EDIT:

I did not intend to make a direct comparison. Just curious why IPs skipped 64bit.

Solution 1:

The two are unrelated. The decisions around how to structure IPV6 are myriad. There's a lot of info at the IPv6 Wikipedia article.

Basically, the 128-bit address space of IPv6 gives us such a massive address space that we are unlikely to ever use all of it (2^128 addresses, or 3.4*10^38).

The larger address space also allows for a better hierarchical model of addressing, because CIDR and similar "hacks" are no longer necessary for routing. The address space allows a separation of a 64 bit host address and 64 bit network address, and host address can be self-configured.

With more space, we have more addresses, and it's easier to organize them efficiently. IPv4 is kind of like a cluttered 1-bedroom apartment, and IPv6 is a giant warehouse in which we can set up everything in a much more organized fashion.

Solution 2:

they sort of did move to 64 Bit, because in most IPv6 deployment models you are assigned a /64 prefix, meaning your "public" IP address is 64 bit fixed and the rest is assignable by you in your private network (also a whopping 64 Bit).

Solution 3:

Because designers of IPv6 overcompensated for the previous blunder of IPv4. 32-bit is indeed too little, but 64-bit would be every bit as effective as 128-bit (divided into 40+24 instead of 64+64). But it is too late to change now.