Using the Internet establishes communication between computers and other components. For networks to function properly, protocols such as IPv6 are required, which specify the method for sending and receiving data. For this reason, it is worth asking what is the IPv6 protocol, what is it for and how does it work?
Are you interested in the history of the Internet and networks? Then you must learn what the World Wide Web is and how it works , a protocol that would represent a revolution for the world we live in today.
On the other hand, although we will talk about the IPv6 protocol today, it would be very convenient for you to know what the TCP / IP protocol is and what it is for , before you start reading about the information below.
What is the IPv6 protocol, what is it for and how does it work?
For the data transfer to take place, the IPv4 protocol works as a transmission manager in order to guarantee the sending of the data packets. However, it had limitations in providing 32-bit addresses , which is why IPv6 emerged for the purpose of serving users.
Next, we will show you more details about IPv6, an important protocol that has managed to improve on its IPv4 predecessor in terms of security and efficiency. On the other hand, if you want to know what the IPv4 protocol is and what it is for , we also have a guide for it.
What is the IPv6 protocol?
IPv6 is a new version of the Internet Protocol that was created in order to guarantee the sending and receiving of data packets using a 128-bit space. It is considered as the successor to IPv4 which was running out of space in the network and with this limitation, it could not supply all users.
Indeed, IPv6 came in 2012 as an excellent strategy to effectively respond to the IPv4 problem. IPv6 exceeded user expectations as it managed to provide greater security and efficiency than its predecessor.
What is the IPv6 protocol for?
The IPv6 protocol serves to cater to all users who need an IP address on the network. Also, IPv6 was created with improvements. This protocol manages data packets efficiently with a simpler header than IPv4 and guarantees greater security on the network against possible attacks.
IPv6 can host millions of different addresses. These have a much more complex structure compared to IPv4. Another peculiarity of the new IPv6 addresses is that they are formed with long combinations of numbers and letters (hexadecimal format). This quality provides greater security because attackers cannot easily decipher the addresses.
How does the IPv6 protocol work?
Initially, the IPv6 protocol consists of 128 bits, as well as 8 16-bit hexadecimal fields that are separated by a colon. The first 40 bits of the packet have the header that has the source and destination addresses. As IPv6 works together with Ipv4, a transition mechanism is created between both protocols.
The transition or tunnel mechanism creates IPv6 packets which are then packed into IPv4 packets. Later, the reverse process occurs. This is done with the aim of communicating computers that have IPv6 with those that have an IPv4 network.
Different types of address
IPv6 creates addresses that can be unicast, multicast, or anycast . Unicast uses an interface only for one IPv6 node. For its part, multicast identifies multiple interfaces for a multicast group to process. Finally, with anycast they are assigned to several nodes so that the packet is delivered to the closest node.
Therefore, IPv6 mapping is done by interfaces rather than nodes. Each interface requires at least one unicast address. Then IPv6 routing relies on highest prefix match and redirection with ICMP. The IPv6 protocol performs efficient routing through static routes.
Using static routes
The static routes allow packets to travel on particular routers to reach its destination. Often these routes prefer the routing protocols that they learned earlier. The static route has the IP address of the router and the prefix to be routed.
In this way, the IPv6 protocol assigns a numeric key to identify the website and reports the connection point where a request is made in order to deliver a response.
And generally speaking, this is how the IPv6 protocol works. On the other hand, if you want to learn more about the history of the Internet, we recommend that you find out what the Arpanet is and what it is for .
