NETWORK LAYER

PART 3:IPV6
 Next Generation IP (IPv6)

The Next Generation IP, commonly referred to as IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6), is the successor to
IPv4. It was developed to address the limitations of IPv4, particularly the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses, and to
provide a more scalable, efficient, and secure protocol for the future of the internet.
1. Concept of IPv6
• Concept: IPv6 is the latest version of the Internet Protocol, designed to replace IPv4. It provides a larger
address space, improved routing efficiency, and built-in security features.
• Definition: IPv6 is a network layer protocol that enables data communication over packet-switched networks. It
uses 128-bit addresses, allowing for a significantly larger number of unique addresses compared to IPv4.
• Explanation:
• IPv6 was developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to address the limitations of IPv4, such as
address exhaustioExample:

• IPv4 Address: 192.168.1.1 (32-bit address).

• IPv6 Address: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 (128-bit address).n, complex header structure, and lack of
built-in security.
• It introduces new features like simplified packet headers, auto-configuration, and support for modern technologies like
IoT (Internet of Things).
Pv6 Address Representation

•Concept: IPv6 addresses are represented in a hexadecimal format, making them longer but more
versatile than IPv4 addresses.
•Definition: An IPv6 address is a 128-bit identifier written as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits,

:
separated by colons ( ).
•Explanation:
•Each group represents 16 bits, and the entire address is 128 bits long.
•Leading zeros in each group can be omitted, and consecutive groups of zeros can be replaced with
a double colon (::) for simplification.
•Example:
•Full IPv6 Address: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.
•Simplified IPv6 Address: 2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:370:7334.
IPv6 addresses are represented in a hexadecimal colon notation, which is
different from the dotted-decimal notation used in IPv4. This representation is
designed to handle the 128-bit address length of IPv6 in a more readable and
manageable format.
1. Hexadecimal• Colon Notation
Concept: IPv6 addresses are written as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits, separated by colons ( :).
•Definition: Each group represents 16 bits, and the entire address is 128 bits long.
•Explanation:
•Hexadecimal digits range from 0 to 9 and a to f (case-insensitive).
•Each group of four hexadecimal digits represents a 16-bit segment of the address.
•Example:
•Full IPv6 Address: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.
•Breakdown:
•2001: First 16 bits.
•0db8: Second 16 bits.
•85a3: Third 16 bits.
•0000: Fourth 16 bits.
•0000: Fifth 16 bits.
•8a2e: Sixth 16 bits.
•0370: Seventh 16 bits.
•7334: Eighth 16 bits.
2. Abbreviation Rules
•Concept: To make IPv6 addresses more concise, certain abbreviations are allowed.
•Definition: IPv6 addresses can be shortened by applying two rules:
1.Leading Zeros in a Group Can Be Omitted:
•In each group of four hexadecimal digits, leading zeros can be removed.
2.Consecutive Groups of Zeros Can Be Replaced with a Double Colon ( ::):
•A sequence of one or more groups of zeros can be replaced with ::, but this can only be done once in an address to
avoid ambiguity.
•Explanation:
•Rule 1 Example:
•Original: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.
•After removing leading zeros: 2001:db8:85a3:0:0:8a2e:370:7334.
•Rule 2 Example:
•Original: 2001:db8:85a3:0:0:8a2e:370:7334.
•After replacing consecutive zeros with ::: 2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:370:7334.
•Combined Example:
•Original: 2001:0db8:0000:0000:0000:0000:1428:57ab.
•After abbreviation: 2001:db8::1428:57ab.
3. IPv6 Address Space

•Concept: IPv6 provides a vastly larger address space compared to IPv4,

ensuring that every device can have a unique IP address.
•Definition: The IPv6 address space consists
of 21282128 (approximately 3.4×10383.4×1038) unique addresses.
•Explanation:
• IPv4 has only 232232 (approximately 4.3 billion) addresses, which is insufficient for
the growing number of internet-connected devices.
• IPv6's address space is large enough to assign unique addresses to every device,
including IoT devices, sExample:
• Example
• IPv4 Address Space: 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254 (limited range).

• IPv6 Address Space: 2001:db8::1 to 2001:db8::ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff (virtually

unlimited).martphones, and computers.
 IPv6 Address Types
IPv6 defines several types of addresses to facilitate different kinds of communication over
the internet. Each address type serves a specific purpose, enabling efficient and scalable
communication for various network scenarios. The main types of IPv6 addresses are:
1.Unicast Address
2.Multicast Address
3.Anycast Address
1. Unicast Address
•Definition: A Unicast address identifies a single interface on a device. Packets sent to a
Unicast address are delivered to the specific interface associated with that address.
•Purpose: Unicast addresses are used for one-to-one communication, where data is
sent from one device to another specific device.
•Types of Unicast Addresses:
•Global Unicast Address (GUA): Similar to public IPv4 addresses, these are globally unique and routable on
the internet.
•Example: 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334.
•Link-Local Address: Used for communication within a single network segment (link). These addresses are
not routable beyond the local link.
•Example: fe80::1.
•Unique Local Address (ULA): Similar to private IPv4 addresses, these are used within a private network and
are not routable on the internet.
•Example: fd00::1.
•Example:
•A computer with the IPv6 address 2001:db8::1 sends a packet to another computer with the
address 2001:db8::2. The packet is delivered only to
the device with the address 2001:db8::2.
2. Multicast Address
•Definition: A Multicast address identifies a group of interfaces, typically on different devices. Packets sent to
a Multicast address are delivered to all interfaces in the group.
•Purpose: Multicast addresses are used for one-to-many communication, where data is sent from one
device to multiple devices simultaneously.
•Structure:
•Multicast addresses always start with the prefix ff00::/8.
•The second octet defines the scope of the multicast group (e.g., link-local, site-local, global).
•Common Multicast Addresses:
•ff02::1: All nodes on the local network.
•ff02::2: All routers on the local network.
•ff02::5: All OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) routers.
•Example:
•A video streaming server sends a packet to the multicast address ff02::1. All devices on the local
network that are part of this multicast group receive the packet.
3. Anycast Address
•Definition: An Anycast address identifies a set of interfaces, typically on different
devices. Packets sent to an Anycast address are delivered to the nearest interface
in the set, as determined by the routing protocol.
•Purpose: Anycast addresses are used for one-to-nearest communication,
where data is sent to the closest or most efficient device in a group.
•Usage:
•Anycast addresses are often used for load balancing and redundancy.
•For example, multiple DNS servers may share the same Anycast address, and
queries are routed to the nearest server.
•Example:
•A user sends a DNS query to the Anycast address 2001:db8::1234.
The query is routed to the nearest DNS server in the group, ensuring low
latency and efficient service.
5. IPv6 Protocol

•Concept: IPv6 is designed to be more efficient, scalable, and secure than

IPv4.
•Definition: IPv6 is a network layer protocol that enables data communication
across packet-switched networks.
•Explanation:
• IPv6 simplifies packet processing by routers through a fixed-length header.
• It includes features like auto-configuration, built-in IPsec (security), and
support for mobile devices.
•Example:
• A device can automatically configure its IPv6 address using Stateless Address
Autoconfiguration (SLAAC) without needing a DHCP server.
IPv6 Features

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is designed to overcome the limitations of

IPv4 and provide a more scalable, efficient, and secure protocol for the future
of the internet. Below is a detailed explanation of the key features of IPv6, as
mentioned in your list:
10. End-to-End Connectivity
•Feature: IPv6 eliminates the need for NAT (Network
Address Translation), as every device can have a unique
global address.
•Benefit: Simplifies network design and improves end-to-end
connectivity.
•Example: Devices can communicate directly without
requiring address translation.
•Impact: Enhances the efficiency and reliability of
communication.
6. IPv6 Packet Format

•Concept: The IPv6 packet format is simpler and more efficient than IPv4.
•Definition: An IPv6 packet consists of a fixed header (40 bytes) and optional
extension headers, followed by the payload.
•Explanation:
• Fixed Header: Contains essential fields like Version, Traffic Class, Flow Label,
Payload Length, Next Header, Hop Limit, Source Address, and Destination
Address.
• Extension Headers: Optional headers that provide additional functionality
(e.g., routing, fragmentation, security).
• Payload: The actual data being transmitted.
 IPv6 Base Header Fields
The base header format in IPv6 is a simplified and fixed-length structure that is designed to improve the efficiency of packet
processing by routers and other network devices. Unlike IPv4, which has a variable-length header, the IPv6 base header is
always 40 bytes long. Below is a detailed explanation of each field in the IPv6 base header, based on the provided file content:
4 bits):
ose: Indicates the version of the Internet Protocol.
e: Always 6 for IPv6.
anation: This field ensures that the packet is recognized as an IPv6 packet.
ass (8 bits):
ose: Used to specify the priority or class of the packet.
anation: Similar to the Type of Service (ToS) field in IPv4, this field helps in Quality of Service (QoS) management by allowing packets to be prioritized based on their type
, voice, video, data).
el (20 bits):
ose: Identifies packets that belong to the same flow or sequence of packets.
anation: This field is used to provide special handling for real-time applications (e.g., video streaming) by ensuring that all packets in a flow are treated consistently by router
ength (16 bits):
ose: Specifies the length of the payload (data) following the base header.
anation: This field indicates the size of the data being carried by the packet, excluding the base header. The maximum payload length is 65,535 bytes.
der (8 bits):
ose: Identifies the type of the next header after the base header.
anation: This field is similar to the Protocol field in IPv4. It indicates whether the next header is an extension header (e.g., Routing, Fragmentation, Authentication) or
payload (e.g., TCP, UDP).
t (8 bits):
ose: Specifies the maximum number of hops (routers) the packet can traverse before being discarded.
anation: Similar to the Time to Live (TTL) field in IPv4, this field prevents packets from circulating indefinitely in the network. Each router decrements the hop limit by 1,
it reaches 0, the packet is discarded.
ddress (128 bits):
ose: Identifies the IPv6 address of the sender.
anation: This field contains the 128-bit IPv6 address of the device that originated the packet.
on Address (128 bits):
ose: Identifies the IPv6 address of the intended recipient.
anation: This field contains the 128-bit IPv6 address of the device to which the packet is being sent.
 7. IPv6 Extension Headers
•Concept: Extension headers provide additional functionality to IPv6 packets.
•Definition: Extension headers are optional headers that can be added to the IPv6
packet to extend its capabilities.
•Explanation:
• Types of Extension Headers:
• Hop-by-Hop Options: Options that need to be examined by every router along the path.
• Routing: Used for source routing.
• Fragment: Used for packet fragmentation.
• Authentication Header (AH): Provides authentication and integrity.
• Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP): Provides encryption.
• Destination Options: Options for the destination node.
• Example:
• An IPv6 packet with an ESP header for secure communication between two devices.
 The IPv6 Extension Headers are optional headers that provide additional functionality
to IPv6 packets. They are placed between the base header and the payload of the
packet. Unlike IPv4, where options are included in the main header, IPv6 uses a modular
approach with extension headers, making the packet structure more flexible and efficient.
Explanation of the Diagram
The diagram provided in the file represents the structure of an IPv6 packet, including the base
header and extension headers. Here's a breakdown of the diagram:
1.Base Header:
•Version (4 bits): Indicates the IPv6 version (6).
•Traffic Class (8 bits): Used for QoS (Quality of Service) to prioritize packets.
•Flow Label (20 bits): Identifies packets belonging to the same flow.
•Payload Length (16 bits): Specifies the size of the payload (data) following the base header.
•Next Header (8 bits): Identifies the type of the next header (e.g., extension header or payload).
•Hop Limit (8 bits): Prevents infinite looping by specifying the maximum number of hops.
•Source Address (128 bits): IPv6 address of the sender.
•Destination Address (128 bits): IPv6 address of the recipient.
2.Extension Headers:
•The Next Header field in the base header points to the first extension header.
•Each extension header has its own Next Header field, which points to the next header in the chain.
•This creates a linked list of headers, ending with the payload (e.g., TCP, UDP, or ICMPv6).
3.Payload:
•The actual data being transmitted (e.g., a web page, file, or video stream).
Types of IPv6 Extension Headers
IPv6 defines several types of extension headers, each serving a specific purpose. Below are
the most common ones:
1.Hop-by-Hop Options Header:
•Purpose: Contains options that must be examined by every router along the path.
•Next Header Value: 0.
•Example: Used for jumbo payloads or router alerts.
2.Routing Header:
•Purpose: Specifies a list of routers that the packet must traverse (source routing).
•Next Header Value: 43.
•Example: Used for mobile IPv6.
3.Fragment Header:
•Purpose: Used for fragmenting packets that are too large for the network MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit).
•Next Header Value: 44.
•Example: Splitting a large file into smaller fragments for transmission.
4.Authentication Header (AH):
•Purpose: Provides authentication, integrity, and anti-replay protection.
•Next Header Value: 51.
•Example: Used in IPsec for secure communication.
5.Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP) Header:
•Purpose: Provides encryption, authentication, and integrity.
•Next Header Value: 50.
•Example: Used in IPsec for encrypted communication.
6.Destination Options Header:
•Purpose: Contains options that are only processed by the destination node.
•Next Header Value: 60.
•Example: Used for custom options specific to the destination.