Logo Windows icon software company Icon CreatorDownload IconBuy IconsContact  
Icon Creator
Icon Software
Download Icon
Buy Icons
Icon Sets
Support

Get Ready Icons

What is IPv6?



About IPv6

IPv6 is short for "Internet Protocol Version 6".

IPv6 is the "next generation" protocol designed by the IETF to replace the current version Internet Protocol, IP Version 4 ("IPv4").

Most of today's internet uses IPv4, which is now nearly twenty years old. IPv4 has been remarkably resilient in spite of its age, but it is beginning to have problems. Most importantly, there is a growing shortage of IPv4 addresses, which are needed by all new machines added to the Internet.

IPv6 fixes a number of problems in IPv4, such as the limited number of available IPv4 addresses. It also adds many improvements to IPv4 in areas such as routing and network autoconfiguration. IPv6 is expected to gradually replace IPv4, with the two coexisting for a number of years during a transition period.

Many common Internet applications already work with IPv6, including Windows XP.

Text Representatin of Addresses

The preferred form to represent an IPv6 address is X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X, where each X is a hexadecimal value representing two bytes or 16 bits. The leading zeroes in an individual field may be omitted. Groups of zeroes across multiple all zero fields can be represented by ::, for example:
Full format: 2001:0db8:1000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0027
Compressed format: 2001:db8:1000::27

A special format is used to show IPv4 in IPv6 address types. This format uses both the IPv6 colon and the IPv4 period to distinguish the different sections of the address, for example: ::192.44.75.70 ::ffff:192.44.75.70

The IPv6 address that identifies the local machine is made up an IPv6 prefix and the IPv6 Interface Identifier. The IPv6 prefix is the first part of the address, its length is variable. The prefix for the Link Local Address is FE80, and the prefix for a Global Address may be up to 64 bits long. Thus, in order to explicitly identify which part of the address is the prefix, one should use an alternate format. This format uses a forward slash followed by the prefix length in bits. The forward slash and number is appended to the address. The example below illustrates a 64 bit prefix: IPv6 Address: 2001:db8:2000:240:290:27ff:fe24:c19f/64 64bit prefix: 2001:db8:2000:240::/64


  F.A.Q.

Popular Network Tools
Network icon Perfect Network Icons is a collection of distinctive icons that represents all operations and concepts related to networks. The collection is distributed as BMP, PNG, GIF and ICO files. Each icon has three states: normal, disabled, and highlighted.

Networks icon Vista Network Icon Library is a collection of network-related icons. The collection is distributed as BMP, PNG, GIF and ICO files. Each icon has 16x16, 24x24, 32x32, 48x48 and 256x256 versions, as well as variants with and without shadows.

Telecom icon Speed up development of communication products and services and enhance the usability and look of your new project with ready-made Perfect Telecom Icons. This icon library includes icons of symbols and actions that are used in telecommunications.

DB icon High quality icons attract the user's eyes and make the first impression of a program thus playing a key part in building the image of any software and its developer. Have no restraints in choosing an icon of your dream with Database Software Icons.

Security icon Security Icon Set is a collection of stock icons for use in personal and commercial products, including software applications, websites and presentations. The icons have a bright color palette, smooth and well-rounded edges.