IPv6 Addressing

Chapter
1 Overview
Outline
2 Introduction
3 Address Space Allocation
4 Autoconfiguration
5 Renumbering, Address
Types and Migration

1
Before we start
Please write down the following Key Terms on a blank piece of paper leaving a
small underline before and after each word. Label your paper IPv6 Pre/Post
Concept Check.
_____ IPng _____
_____ IPv6 _____
_____ CIDR _____
_____ NAT _____
_____ Autoconfiguration_____
_____ Unicast _____
_____ Multicast _____
_____ Anycast _____
_____ IPv4-Compatible _____
_____ IANA _____
_____ VLSM _____
_____ ICANN _____
_____ Dual-Stack _____
_____ Tunneling _____
_____ Translation _____
_____ Node _____
_____ Packet _____
Pre Check of Knowledge
1. Rate yourself as to your perceived
knowledge of these key words.

2. Assess how much you already know

about these terms by placing a (+), a
check (), or a zero (0) in the space to
the left of each word.
Plus (+) = Expert
Check () = Heard of it
Zero (0) = Have not heard of it.
We will do a Post Check at the end of this chapter.
1. Overview

IPv6 Defined
Internet Protocol version 6
Originally known as IPng, or IP Next
Generation
Network Layer protocol for packet switched
networks
Successor of IPv4 which supports about 4.3
billion addresses (232 addresses)
IPv6 increased the number of addresses to
(2128 addresses)
4
Benefits
IPv6 longer address length is needed for:
Routing Aggregation
Autoconfiguration of Addresses
Easier allocation of address blocks
Flexibility of ISPs to subdivide blocks for
customers
Organizations can subdivide blocks for
internal networks
Embedded Quality of Service (QoS) to
support services like VoIP & IP Video
Okay, so what happened to
IPv5?
IPv5 was NOT a successor to IPv6
Known as Internet ST (Stream
Protocol)
Experimental protocol.Not in public
use
Whats driving the need
for IPv6??
Internet growth Medical
Mobile devices Imaging
PDAs
Mobile phones
Animal Tags
Tablet PCs Media Services
Gaming Traffic Control
Voice/Video Planes
Security Automobiles
Monitoring
Appliances
Hotspots
2. Introduction

What is the IPv6 address?

An IPv6 address is 128 bits or 16 bytes (8
octets) long as shown in this figure. The
address length in IPv6 is four times the length
address in IPv4.

8
Zero compression

9
Example 1
Show the unabbreviated colon hex notation for the
following IPv6 addresses:
a. An address with 64 0s followed by 64 1s.
b. An address with 128 0s.
c. An address with 128 1s.
d. An address with 128 alternative 1s and 0s.

Solution
a. 0000:0000:0000:0000:FFFF:FFFF:FFFF:FFFF
b. 0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000
c. FFFF:FFFF:FFFF:FFFF:FFFF:FFFF:FFFF:FFFF
d. AAAA:AAAA:AAAA:AAAA:AAAA:AAAA:AAAA:AAAA

The following shows the zero contraction version of

addresses:
a. :: FFFF:FFFF:FFFF:FFFF
b. ::
c. FFFF:FFFF:FFFF:FFFF:FFFF:FFFF:FFFF:FFFF
10
Example 2
Show abbreviations for the following addresses:
a. 0000:0000:FFFF:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000
b. 1234:2346:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:1111
c. 0000:0001:0000:0000:0000:0000:1200:1000
d. 0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:FFFF:24.123.12.6

Solution:
a. 0:0:FFFF::
b. 1234:2346::1111
c. 0:1::1200:1000
d. ::FFFF:24.123.12.6

11
Example 3
Decompress the following addresses and show
the complete unabbreviated IPv6 address:

a. 1111::2222
b. ::
c. 0:1::
d. AAAA:A:AA::1234

Solution
a. 1111:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:2222
b. 0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000
c. 0000:0001:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000
d. AAAA:000A:00AA:0000:0000:0000:0000:1234

12
 IPv6 Number of
Addresses
To give some idea about the number of
IPv6 addresses, let us assume that the
number of people on the planet earth is
soon to be 234 (more than 16 billion). Each
person can have 294 addresses to use.
If we assign 260 addresses to the users
each year (almost one billion each
second), it takes 268 years to deplete
addresses.
 3. Address Space Allocation
Like the address space of IPv4, the address space of IPv6 is
divided into several blocks of varying size and each block is
allocated for special purpose.
Most of the blocks are still unassigned and have been left
aside for future use.
To better understand the allocation and the location of each
block in address space, we first divide the whole address
space into several blocks.
This division shows where each actual block is located .

14
Unspecified address

15
Example 4
Compare the unspecified address in IPv4 to the
unspecified addresses in IPv6.

Solution
In both architectures, an unspecified address is
an all-zero address. In IPv4 this address is part of
class A address; in IPv6 this address is part of the
reserved block.

16
Loopback address

17
Example 5
Compare the loop addresses in IPv4 to the
loopback address in IPv6.

Solution
There are two differences in this case. In classful
addressing, a whole block is allocated for
loopback addresses; it is the 127.0.0.0/8 -
127.255.255.255 , in IPv6 only one address is
allocated as the loopback address; it is
the ::1/128. In addition, the loopback block in
classful addressing is part of the class A block. In
IPv6, it is only one single address in the reserved
block.
You can find more about IP Reserved, Loopback
and Private Addresses by visiting this website:
http://www.tcpipguide.com/free/t_IPReservedPriv
18
Compatible address

19
 The Three Levels of Hierarchy

Global Routing Prefix (48 bits) is like the

network ID in IPv4
20
 Mapping for EUI (Extended Unique Identifier)-64

One of IPv6's key benefits over IPv4 is its capability for

automatic interface addressing.
By implementing the IEEE's 64-bit Extended Unique
Identifier (EUI-64) format, a host can automatically assign
itself a unique 64-bit IPv6 interface identifier without the
need for manual configuration or DHCP.
This is accomplished on Ethernet interfaces by referencing
the already unique 48-bit MAC address, and reformatting that
value to match the EUI-64 specification.
21
 Mapping for Ethernet MAC

This can be described as having two steps:

The first step is to convert the 48-bit MAC
address to a 64-bit value. To do this, we
break the MAC address into its two 24-bit
halves: the Organizationally Unique
Identifier (OUI) and the NIC specific part.
The 16-bit hex value FFFE is then inserted
between these two halves to form a 64-bit
address.
Why FFFE? this is a reserved value which
equipment manufacturers cannot include in
"real" EUI-64 address assignments. In other
words, any EUI-64 address having FFFE
immediately following its OUI portion can
be recognized as having been generated
from an EUI-48 (or MAC) address.
22
Example 6
Find the interface identifier if the Ethernet
physical address is (F5-A9-23-14-7A-D2)16 using
the format we defined for Ethernet addresses.

Solution
We only need to change the seventh bit of the
first octet from 0 to 1, insert two octet FFFE and
change the format to colon hex notation. The
result is F7A9:23FF:FE14:7AD2 in colon hex.

23
Example 7
An organization is assigned the block
2000:1456:2474/48. What is the CIDR notation for
the blocks in the first and second subnets in this
organization?

Solution
Theoretically, the first and second subnets should
use the block with subnet identifier 000116 and
000216. This means that the blocks are

2000:1456:2474:0001/64
and
2000:1456:2474:0002/64.

24
Example 8
An organization is assigned the block
2000:1456:2474/48. What is the IPv6 address of
an interface in the third subnet if the IEEE
physical address of the computer is (F5-A9-23-14-
7A-D2)16.

Solution
The interface identifier is F7A9:23FF:FE14:7AD2
(see Example 7). If we add this identifier to the
global prefix and the subnet identifier, we get:

25
 4. Autoconfiguration

One of the interesting features of IPv6

addressing is the autoconfiguration of
hosts.
As we discussed in IPv4, the host and
routers are originally configured manually
by the network manager using static
addresses, however, the Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol, DHCP, can also be
used to allocate an IPv4 address to a host
that joins the network.
In IPv6, DHCP protocol can still be used to
allocate an IPv6 address to a 26host, but a
Example 9
Assume a host with Ethernet address (F5-A9-23-
11-9B-E2)16 has joined the network. What would
be its global unicast address if the global unicast
prefix of the organization is 3A21:1216:2165 and
the subnet identifier is 1232 ?

Solution
The host first creates its interface identifier as
F7A9:23FF:FE11:9BE2
using the Ethernet MAC address read from its NIC
card.
Assuming that this address is unique, the host
sends a router solicitation message and receives
the router advertisement message that
announces the combination of global unicast
prefix and the subnet identifier
3A21:1216:2165:1232:F7A9:23FF:FE11:9BE2
27 as
5-RENUMBERING , ADDRESS
TYPES and MIGRATION
To allow sites to change the service provider, renumbering of
the address prefix (n) was built into IPv6 addressing.
As we discussed before, each site is given a prefix by the
service provider to which it is connected. If the site changes
the provider, the address prefix needs to be changed.
A router to which the site is connected to can advertise a new
prefix and let the site use the old prefix for a short time
before disabling it. In other words, during the transition
period, a site has two prefixes.

28
 IPv6 Provider-Based
Addresses
The first IPv6 addresses will be allocated to a provider-based plan

Registry Provider Subscriber Subnetwork Interface

010
ID ID ID ID ID
Type: Set to 010 for provider-based addresses
Registry: identifies the agency that registered the address

The following fields have a variable length (recommended lengths are in() )
Provider: Id of Internet access provider (16 bits)
Subscriber: Id of the organization at provider (24 bits)
Subnetwork: Id of subnet within organization (16 bits)
Interface: identifies an interface at a node (48 bits)
IPv6 Address Types
Unicast identifies a single interface on a
single node. A unicast packet is delivered
to the identified single interface.
Multicast - identifies a set of interfaces
that belong to different nodes. A multicast
packet is delivered to all identified
interfaces.
Anycast a global unicast address such as
DNS that is assigned to a set of interfaces
that belong to different nodes. An anycast
packet is delivered to the closest interface.
For more information on Unicast, Multicast and Anycast, you may
visit the website:
http://www.omnisecu.com/tcpip/ipv6/unicast-multicast-anycast-types-
of-network-communication-in-ipv6.php

Broadcast Not in IPv6!!!

IPv6 Unicast Addresses
64 bits for Global Routing and Subnet + 64
bits for Interface ID
Prefix + Subnet ID + Interface ID = 128 bit IPv6
Address
Prefix is the Global Routing Prefix (48 bits)
Subnet ID is the subnet identifier within a site (16
bits)
Interface ID is the interface identifier for a particular
host or other device (64 bits)
From ONE: To ONE:
SOURCE -----------------------------Unicast Destination
IPv6 Multicast Addresses
1st 8 bits are all 1s i.e., 1111 1111; Translate into Hex: FF
Indicator (8 bits) + Flags (4 bits) + Scope ID (4 bits) +
Group ID (112 bits) = IPv6 128 bit Multicast Address
Indicator 1st eight bits set to 1s signifying a
multicast packet.
Flags 1st three are 0s. The last is either a 0 for a
permanent/well known multicast address or a 1 for
a temporary multicast address.
Scopes Globally across the Internet or Locally within
the organization
Group Defines a particular group within a scope.

From ONE: To MANY:

SOURCE Multicast Destinations
Multicast Destinations
Multicast Destinations
 Multicast Scopes
Node-Local
(within a
node)Scope (1)
Link-Local
(within a local
network)
Scope (2)
Site-Local
(within a local
site) Scope (5)
Organization-
Local (within
an
organization)
Scope (8)
Note: As the Scope ID Value Increases, the
Global (across Scope expands to cover larger areas.
the Internet)
Well Known Multicast
Addresses
FF01:0:0:0:0:0:0:1 used to multicast to all nodes for node-
local. (Notice: FF signifies multicast, scope id of 1 signifies node-
local, and group id of 1 signifies all nodes)
FF02:0:0:0:0:0:0:1 used to multicast to all nodes for link-local.
(Notice: FF signifies multicast, scope id of 2 signifies link-local,
and group id of 1 signifies all nodes)
FF01:0:0:0:0:0:0:2 used to multicast to all routers for node-
local. (Notice: FF signifies multicast, scope id of 1 signifies node-
local, and group id of 2 signifies all routers)
FF02:0:0:0:0:0:0:2 used to multicast to all routers for link-
local. (Notice: FF signifies multicast, scope id of 2 signifies link-
local, and group id of 2 signifies all routers)
FF05:0:0:0:0:0:0:2 used to multicast to all routers for Site-
local. (Notice: FF signifies multicast, scope id of 5 signifies site-
local, and group id of 2 signifies all routers)

Multicasting to all nodes replaces IPv4

Broadcasts.
IPv6 Anycast Addresses
Anycast Packets are new to IPv6
Automatically sends packet to the closest member within a
group.
Provides flexibility when requesting a service provided by
several different routers.
Designed for devices within the same network.
Addresses assigned from Unicast Addressing space.
From ONE: To ONE of Many:
SOURCE ------------------------------- Multicast Destination
------------------------------- Multicast Destination
----------------------------- CLOSEST Multicast Destination
IPv6 Special Addresses
Reserved reserved by IETF for special uses.
First eight bits are 00000000.

Private private addresses are local to a

particular site or company network and are never
routed outside that network. First seven bits are:
1111110

Loopback used for testing the loop back of

the device. 0:0:0:0:0:0:0:1/128 or ::1/128

Unspecified used in certain cases such as

default routes but this address should not be
assigned to any host. All 128 bits are zeroes
noted as 0:0:0:0:0:0:0:0, or ::, or 0::0.
Whos in charge?
IANA Internet Assigned Numbers Authority is in
charge of all IP address assignment and internet
parameters. (owned and ran by ICANN)

ICANN Internet Corporation for Assigned Names

and Numbers is a private, non-profit company
responsible for all registration tasks such as IP
address assignment, domain name assignment,
and protocol parameters management. (ICANN
has allowed accredited registrars to register
names in many of the top-level domains)

Often referred to as: IANA/ICANN or

ICANN/IANA
Migrating from IPv4 to
IPv6
Methods that make the migration easier:
Dual-Stack running both IPv4 and IPv6
simultaneously. Applications talk to both.

Tunneling wrapping or packaging one type

of packet into another to be sent on dissimilar
network i.e., tunneling ipV6 packets on IPv4
network.

Translation converting IPv4 to IPv6 and vice

versa which can be complex and result in
problems. Required for devices that only
support one version. (temporary solution until
more devices make the move to IPv6)

IPv6/IPv4 Address Embedding embeds

 Dual-Stack
Devices speak both
IPv6 and IPv4.
Both IPv4 and IPv6 are
operational on all
components(hosts,
servers, routers,
switches, and firewalls)
attached to the
network.
Dual Stack is the
primary approach for
introducing IPv6 into an
IPv4 network
 Tunneling
Enables interconnection
of IP networks.
IPv6 networks can be
connected through an
IPv4 WAN link.
IPv6 packets are
encapsulated and de-
capsulated by border
routers for transmission
over the IPv4 WAN link.
Thus, IPv6 packets are
tunneled through the
IPv4 network cloud.
Translation
Required when IPv6 host
needs to communicate
with IPv4 host.
Application Level
Gateways (ALGs) are
required to translate.
Can be implemented in
border routers and hosts.
Temporary Solution
Complexity and
overhead issues
IPv6/IPv4 Address
Embedding
These are special addresses
assigned to IPv6-capable
devices, such as so-called dual
stack devices that speak both
IPv4 and IPv6.
The first 80 bits are zeroes.
They have also all zeroes for the
middle 16 bits; thus, they start
off with a string of 96 zeroes,
followed by the IPv4 address
IPv4 addresses are put in special
format IPv6 address so they are
recognized as IPv4 addresses by
IPv6 devices.
IPv4 Addressing Concepts and Their IPv6
Equivalents
IPv4 Address IPv6 Address
Address Length 32 bits 128 bits

Address Representation - decimal hexadecimal

Internet address classes Not applicable in IPv6

Multicast addresses (224.0.0.0/4) IPv6 multicast addresses (FF00::/8)

Broadcast addresses Not applicable in IPv6

Unspecified address is 0.0.0.0 Unspecified address is ::

Loopback address is 127.0.0.1 Loopback address is ::1

Public IP addresses Global unicast addresses

Private IP addresses (10.0.0.0/8, Site-local addresses (FEC0::/10)

172.16.0.0/12, and 192.168.0.0/16)
Autoconfigured addresses (169.254.0.0/16) Link-local addresses (FE80::/64)

Need private addressing and Network Does not need NAT

Address Translation (NAT)
Network bits representation: Subnet Network bits representation: Prefix length
mask in dotted decimal notation or prefix notation only.
length. 43
IPv6 Post Check
Now, go back to your IPv6 Pre/Post
Concept Check paper with your Key
Terms
Rate your understanding of the Key
Terms on the Right Side. Remember:
(+) = Expert
( ) = Heard of it
(-) = Have not heard of it

Reflection as a group.
Summary
IPv6 or Internet Protocol Version 6 is the successor to
IPv4 or Internet Protocol Version 4. It is needed to
address the need for additional address space with an
ever growing Internet population as well as new
internet devices.
IPv6 addresses are written in Colon Hex notation.
IPv6 addresses are Unicast, Multicast, and Anycast.
Broadcast is not part of IPv6.
IPv6 has four special addresses: Reserved, Private,
Loopback, and Unspecified.
Two colons in an address represent successive leading
zeroes.
Full IPv6 deployment will take years. IPv4 and IPv6
must coexist in the meantime. Dual-Stack, Tunneling,
Translation, and IPv6/IPv4 Address Embedding all
make the migration easier.