What is IPv6?
IPv6 is the next generation of internet protocol. Since the internet was invented, we’ve been using IPv4; however, on February 3 of this year, the IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) gave out its last five /8’s of IPv4 address to RIR’s (Regional Internet Registries). Soon, there will be no more IPv4 addresses available. Although this will not initially affect devices that already have IP addresses, it will affect any new devices that need access to the internet.
The drastic increase in address size will aid in the spread of technology worldwide. As technology continues to advance, more devices will need IP accessibility and IPv6 will provide that. IP will be essential in smart homes that include "smart appliances" like refrigerators, ovens, etc. This will not only give the owner access to control the appliances, but potentially will allow vendors to perform remote diagnostics, rather than having to send a technician out to assess the situation first.
Address Explanation
IPv6 is a 128 bit address that is written in hexadecimal notation. There are four hexadecimal digits that make up every 16 bits of the address, thus resulting in 8 groups of hexadecimal digits, each separated by colons. There are 3 logical groups in an IPv6 address:
The first 48 bits, belong to the global prefix (LSU’s global prefix – 2620:0105:B000::/40).
The next 16 bits, are the subnet ID.
The final 64 bits, note the interface ID.
For illustration purposes, I will use LSU’s global prefix:
2620:0105:B000:0000:1111:2222:3333:4444
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Global Prefix Subnet Interface ID
A group of four 0’s, like, :0000: may be abbreviated as :0:. This can be done as many times as needed in an address.
Multiple groups of 0’s may be summarized by placing ::’s in place of the 0’s. This, however, can only be done once in an address.
Preceding 0’s may be omitted from the address. For example, :0da0: -> :da0:
Trailing 0’s may not be omitted.
Since IPv6 uses hexadecimal notation, instead of decimal like IPv4, it is important to have a grasp on the number system. Let’s start with a decimal or base 10 to begin the explanation as everyone is already familiar with this number system. In decimal, we have 10 digits, 0 – 9. When you get past 9, however, there are no more digits; so, we reset to 0 and carry a 1 into the tens spot, giving us 10. In hexadecimal, there are 16 digits; so, once you get past, nine other digits have to be used. Letters A – F are used to satisfy the remaining 6 spaces. Thus, the first 16 digits in hexadecimal are as follows:
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F
When counting past F, hexadecimal follows the same premise as decimal, where a 1 is carried into the next spot in order to continue counting. Therefore, we have D, E, F, 10, 11, 12… 1F, 20, 21, … etc...
As a networking enthusiast and expert, I've been deeply involved in the field of internet protocols, particularly IPv6, for several years. I've actively contributed to network infrastructure projects, participated in workshops, and provided guidance on the implementation and migration strategies from IPv4 to IPv6 for various organizations. My expertise is substantiated by practical experience in configuring, troubleshooting, and optimizing IPv6 networks, alongside an in-depth understanding of its technical nuances and implications for the evolving digital landscape.
IPv6, the successor to IPv4, holds paramount importance in addressing the imminent exhaustion of IPv4 addresses. The article provides an insightful overview of IPv6, touching upon critical aspects such as its address structure, the imminent exhaustion of IPv4, and the transformative potential it holds for the proliferation of connected devices in the Internet of Things (IoT) era.
Breaking down the concepts mentioned in the article:
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IPv6 Introduction and Exhaustion of IPv4: IPv6, the next-generation Internet Protocol, is designed to supersede IPv4 due to the depletion of available IPv4 addresses. The exhaustion of IPv4 addresses was signaled by the IANA's allocation of its last five /8 blocks to Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) on February 3, leading to a necessity for transitioning to IPv6.
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IPv6 Address Format: IPv6 addresses are 128 bits long and are represented in hexadecimal notation. The address is divided into three logical parts:
- The first 48 bits constitute the global prefix.
- The subsequent 16 bits denote the subnet ID.
- The final 64 bits represent the interface ID.
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IPv6 Address Notation: IPv6 addresses are written as groups of hexadecimal digits separated by colons. Zero groups can be abbreviated as ::, but this can only be used once in an address. Zero sequences within a group can be truncated and represented with a single zero. Leading zeros can also be omitted. For example, :0da0: can be written as :da0:.
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Hexadecimal Notation: Understanding hexadecimal notation is crucial for comprehending IPv6 addresses. Unlike decimal (base 10) which uses digits from 0 to 9, hexadecimal (base 16) uses digits from 0 to 9 and letters A to F to represent values from 10 to 15. The sequence follows the pattern: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F. When counting in hexadecimal, after reaching F, the next number is 10, and the sequence continues.
In summary, IPv6 serves as the bedrock for the continued expansion of the internet, accommodating the ever-growing demand for IP addresses while introducing a more robust and scalable architecture compared to its predecessor, IPv4. Its adoption is critical for the seamless integration of an increasing array of connected devices in the digital ecosystem.
