IPv6 overview
Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is the latest version of the Internet Protocol (IP) and was developed to address the limitations of its predecessor, IPv4. The primary issue with IPv4 is its limited number of addresses, which are based on a 32-bit scheme and have a theoretical limit of 2 to the power of 32. In contrast, IPv6 uses a 128-bit address scheme, allowing for a much larger theoretical limit of 2 to the power of 128 addresses.
In simpler terms:
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IPv4 can support 4 294 967 296 addresses.
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IPv6 can support 340 282 366 920 938 463 463 374 607 431 768 211 456 addresses.
In addition to the expanded number of addresses, some of the other benefits of IPv6 include:
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More efficient routing due to reduction in the size of routing tables. This is achieved through hierarchical address allocation, which allows for more efficient routing of data packets.
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Reduced management requirements by supporting stateless auto-reconfiguration of hosts. This means that devices can automatically configure their network settings without the need for manual intervention.
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Improved methods to change Internet Service Providers. With IPv6, it is easier for users to switch between different ISPs without experiencing any service disruption.
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Better mobility support by providing seamless connection. This means that devices can move between different networks without losing their connection.
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Multi-homing. This allows a device to have multiple network connections, providing increased reliability and redundancy.
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Improved security with built-in support for IPsec. IPsec is a security protocol that provides authentication and encryption for data transmitted over a network.
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IPv6 offers scoped addresses with link-local, unique local, and global address spaces. This allows for more flexible addressing and improved network organization.
|
Address Type |
Notation |
Description |
Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Link-local Unicast | FE80::/10 | Designed for use on a local link and are automatically configured on all interfaces. These addresses are not routable. | FE80::1 |
| Unique Local Unicast | FC00::/7 | Similar to IPv4 private addresses and can be used on your own network. They are not routable globally. |
FC00::1 FD00::1 |
| Global Unicast | 2001::/3 | Similar to IPv4 public addresses and can be used on the Internet. They are routable globally. |
2001::1 3000::1 |
See Internet Protocol Version 6 Address Space for more information.