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RFC 4291: IPv6 addressing architecture

Summary

RFC 4291 organises IPv6 unicast, anycast and multicast addresses as well as prefix notation. Address types map communication scope directly into the architecture. A large address space still requires disciplined planning.

Ideas

  • Link-local addresses work without global configuration.
  • Multicast replaces many IPv4 broadcast tasks.
  • Prefixes describe network membership without classes.

Facts

  • RFC 4291 replaces RFC 3513.

Remarks

  • RFC 4291 has the status “Draft Standard”; current errata and successor documents should also be checked.

Recommendations

  • Document the purpose and scope of each prefix.
  • Filter IPv6 with the same care as IPv4.

References

Read the RFC at the RFC Editor

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