IP Addressing Series – Part 4: IPv6 Explained with Examples

IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6) – Complete Beginner Friendly Guide

Understanding the Concept of IPv6

As the rapid expansion of internet, billions of devices are connected every year, including laptops, smartphones, IoT devices, and servers. The IPv4 was not designed for these billions of devices.

Therefore, the internet ran out of IP addresses were limited, to fix this problem a new version of IP address was created which is called IPv6. It was designed to provide addresses and support the internet future growth.

In this blog, we will understand the concept of IPv6 and its structure. Before learning the advanced topics of cybersecurity, a basic understanding of IP addressing is very important for learners.

What is IPv6?

IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol Version 6. IPv6 is the latest version which is made by Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

It was introduced to overcome the limitations of IPv4.

IPv6 uses a 128-bit addressing system. It allows approximately:

340 undecillion unique Internet Protocol Addresses (This number is so massive that it can provide billions of unique addresses to every person on internet.

Before reading the full concept of IPv6, it is necessary to understand IPv4 in detail.

Structure of IPv6 Address

(2001: 0DC8: E004: 0001: 0000: 0000: 0000: F00A)

IPv6 addresses are written in hexadecimal format, it uses:

• Numbers from 0-9
• Letters from A-F
• Colon (:) as separator

How IPv6 address breakdown:

Each group in IPv6 called a hextet which is 16-bit Block.

• Total hextets (groups): 8
• Each hextet (group): 16 bits
• Total: 128 bits

IPv6 address consists of 128 bits total length. It divided into 8 groups, each group containing 4 hexadecimal digits which separated by colons.

Compression of IPv6 Address

IPv6 allows shortening rules to understand long addresses. These compressions make IP addresses more convenient for network administrators.

Removing Leading Zeros

When any hextet contains zeros at the beginning also known as leading zeros, so those zeros can be removed.

For example:

• 0DC8 > DC8
• 0001 > 1

The address:

2001:0DC8:E004:0001

Becomes:

2001:DC8:E004:1

This rule only removes zeros from the beginning of a hextet, it does not remove zeros from middle or end.

Zero Compression

If there is one or more consecutive blocks of all zeros in an IPv6 address, they can be replaced with a double colon (::).

For example:

2001: 0DC8: E004: 0001: 0000: 0000: 0000: F00A

After removing leading zeros:

2001:DC8:E004:1:0:0:0:F00A

Then the zero compressed form:

2001:DC8:E004:1::F00A

So, the double colon (::) replaces multiple consecutive zero blocks.

Important rule to remember:

The double colon (::) can only use one time in a single IPv6 address. It helps shorten the address and only appear once.

Types of IPv6 Address

IPv6 addresses have three main types of communication, Explained below:

Unicast Address

A unicast address is used to find a single device on a network. In unicast data is sent from one sender to only one specific receiver.

One sender > one specific receiver

For example:

• Loading website in browser
• Sending an email to specific person

Multicast Address

In multicast address is used to send data from one device to multiple devices at the same time.

One sender > multiple receivers

For example:

• Video conferencing
• Online streaming
• Online lectures

Anycast Address

In an anycast address, multiple devices have same IP address but data is delivered only to the nearest device in a group of devices.

One sender > nearest receiver

For example:

• Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)
• Domain Name System (DNS)

IPv6 is part of the TCP/IP protocol, and also learn TCP/IP vs OSI MODEL.

Let’s Understand How IPv6 Works?

IPv6 works by gives an IP address to each device that is connected to a network. Let’s break down working process:

Step 1: Address Assignment

Every device assign by a unique IPv6 address when connected to a network. This can happen automatically or be configured manually.

Step 2: Data Packets

When data is about to be send, the device breaks the data into smaller pieces which is called data packets. These packets contain data content, control information, source or destination IP address.

Step 3: Routing

The packets travel through different routers to reach correct destination, routers check the destination IPv6 address and choose best path for data packets.

Step 4: Delivery

The packets are sent to the destination device using its special IPv6 address. After delivery the device resembles the packets into original data.

Also, learn our previous guide on the OSI MODEL.

Difference between IPv4 vs IPv6

The table shows the key differences between IPv6 or IPv4 addresses.

Limitations of IPv6

IPv6 is a powerful and advanced internet protocol but it also have some limitations, Let’s understand:

• Infrastructure needs upgrading
• Compatibility issues
• Slow global adoption
• Learning curve
• Transition complexity

Also, learn our previous guide on IPv4 classes.

Why IPv6 becomes the future of Internet?

As technology grows, number of devices increasing rapidly. The IPv4 cannot provide more unique addresses for increasing devices. That is why IPv6 was introduce and become essential for the future of global networking.

IPv6 is designed for long term purposes, it supports:

• Billions of new devices on internet
• Smart infrastructure or ties
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Self-driving vehicles
• Global internet of things (IoT)
• Cloud computing

The future internet expansion would face difficulties without IPv6.

Interview questions to remember

Define IPv6 Address?

IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol Version 6. It is the latest version of Internet protocol which is designed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

IPv6 stands for?

IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol Version 6.

Why IPv6 address introduced?

The internet ran out of IP addresses were limited, to fix this problem a new version of IP address was created which is called IPv6. It was designed to provide addresses and support the internet future growth.

How many bits are in IPv6 address?

IPv6 address consists of 128 bits total length.

How many bits are in IPv4 address?

IPv4 address consists of 32 bits total length.

Give example of IPv6 address?

For example:

(2001: 0DC8: E004: 0001: 0000: 0000: 0000: F00A)

Tell some differences between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 uses 32 bit addresses and written in decimal format while IPv6 uses 128 bits addresses and written in hexadecimal format.

How many groups are in IPv6?

IPv6 address consists of 128 bits total length. It divided into eight groups, each group containing four hexadecimal digits which separated by colons.

Tell about hexadecimal numbers in IPv6?

IPv6 addresses are written in hexadecimal format, they use:

• Numbers from 0-9
• Letters from A-F
• Colon (:) as separator

Tell any advantage of IPv6?

A new version of IP address (IPv6) was developed to solve shortage of addresses and support future growth of internet.

Tell something about IPv6 security?

IPv6 uses build- in IPsec support, which helps with data encryption and secure communications.

Tell some limitations of IPv6 address?

It includes limitations like:

• Infrastructure needs upgrading
• Compatibility issues
• Slow global adoption
• Learning curve

Define multicast in IPv6?

In multicast address data is sent from one device to multiple devices at the same time.

Which address is faster IPv4 or IPv6?

IPv6 is faster than IPv4 because its header structure makes routing and processing efficient.

Can both addresses IPv4 and IPv6 work together?

Yes both IPv4 and IPv6 can works together using the dual- stack method. 

Define Dual Stack?

In dual stack IPv4 and IPv6 run at the same time on same device or network. Dual stack allows devices to communicate using both IPv4 and IPv6.

Why we say IPv6 is the future of networking?

IPv6 provides a large number of IP addresses which solves the problem of shortage, therefore IPv6 is called the future of networking.

What symbol is used to separate groups in IPv6?

A colon (:) used as separator in IPv6.

Is IPv6 important for today networks?

Yes IPv6 is important for today’s networks because IPv4 addresses are about to finished.

Why we have to learn IPv6 address?

Students who want to build a strong career in networking should learn IPv6 because it is not a replacement for IPv4 but also a complete step forward in internet evolution.

IPv6 is based on networking concepts; learn networking basics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, IPv6 is a revolutionary upgrade in modern networking. IPv6 was developed to solve the limitations and shortages of IPv4 addresses. It supports the rapid growth of digital world.

The IPv6 is known as the foundation of the future internet because of its extremely large address space. It is designed to handle billions of new devices, IoT, smart devices and cloud computing.

A Good understanding of IPv6 is very useful for those who want to build a strong career in networking because The IPv6 is not a replacement for IPv4 but also a complete step forward in internet evolution.

If you found this post helpful and want to learn more topics, subscribe to our blog for more networking basics articles, share your thoughts & queries in comments, and don't forget to check out our latest post.