IP Version 6 (IPv6)

  |   Introduction   |   Overview   |   IPv6 Working Group   |   Minutes   |   Specifications   |   Presentations   |   Implementations   |   6Bone   |   NG Transition w.g.   |   6REN   |   IPv6 Forum   |  

Introduction

This set of Web pages provides information of Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6). IPv6 is sometimes also called the Next Generation Internet Protocol or IPng. IPv6 was recommended by the IPng Area Directors of the Internet Engineering Task Force at the Toronto IETF meeting on July 25, 1994 in RFC 1752, The Recommendation for the IP Next Generation Protocol . The recommendation was approved by the Internet Engineering Steering Group and made a Proposed Standard on November 17, 1994.

The core set of IPv6 protocols were made an IETF Draft Standard on August 10, 1998.

Internet Protocol Version 6 is abbreviated to IPv6 (where the "6" refers to it being assigned version number 6). The previous version of the Internet Protocol is version 4 (referred to as IPv4).

IPv6 is a new version of IP which is designed to be an evolutionary step from IPv4. It is a natural increment to IPv4. It can be installed as a normal software upgrade in internet devices and is interoperable with the current IPv4. Its deployment strategy is designed to not have any flag days or other dependencies. IPv6 is designed to run well on high performance networks (e.g. Gigabit Ethernet, OC-12, ATM, etc.) and at the same time still be efficient for low bandwidth networks (e.g. wireless). In addition, it provides a platform for new internet functionality that will be required in the near future.

IPv6 includes a transition mechanism which is designed to allow users to adopt and deploy IPv6 in a highly diffuse fashion and to provide direct interoperability between IPv4 and IPv6 hosts. The transition to a new version of the Internet Protocol must be incremental, with few or no critical interdependencies, if it is to succeed. The IPv6 transition allows the users to upgrade their hosts to IPv6, and the network operators to deploy IPv6 in routers, with very little coordination between the two.

IPv6 Overview

A complete overview of IPv6 and the motivations behind it can be found in the IPng Overview .

IPv6 Working Group

The IPv6 working group is an IETF working group chartered to develop the next generation of the Internet Protocol. The working group was previously named the IP Next Generation Working Group (IPNGWG).

The working group is chaired by Robert Hinden / Nokia and Margaret Wasserman / Windriver. Steve Deering chaired the group previously. The IPv6 working group document editor is Robert Hinden / Nokia

The IPv6 working group represents the culmination of many working groups in the IETF working on the internet routing and addressing problems.

The IPv6 working group has an mailing list and mail archive. Complete instructions on subscribing and unsubscribing to the IPng mailing list, and accessing the mail archive.

Working Group Meeting Minutes

The minutes of recent IPv6 working group meetings. *NEW*

IPv6 Specifications

A listing of current IPv6 specifications organized by function. *NEW*

Listing of IPv6 specifications by IETF Standardization Status . *NEW*

Statement on IPv6 Address Privacy

Presentations *NEW*

Presentations on IPv6 have been done on the MBONE and at various trade shows and conferences.

Implementations *NEW*

IPv6 Implementations are being developed for many different host operating systems and routers. Many are now shipping products. This includes host implementations by Apple, BSDI, Bull, Digital, Epilogue, FreeBSD, FTP Software, Hitachi, HP, IBM, INRIA, Interpeak, Linux, Mentat, Microsoft, NetBSD, Nokia, Novell, NRL, NTHU, OpenBSD, Pacific Softworks, Process Software, SICS, SCO, Siemens Nixdorf, Silicon Graphics, Sun, UNH, and WIDE, and router implementations by 3Com, 6WIND, Bay Networks, cisco Systems, Digital, Hitachi, IBM, Merit (routing protocols), Nokia, NTHU, Sumitomo Electric, and Telebit Communications.

The 6Bone is the IPv6 backbone that was set up to assist in the evolution and deployment of IPv6 in the Internet. The 6Bone started as a concept in 1995 and was made concrete by a formation meeting at the March 1996 IETF meeting in Los Angeles.

There are currently 6Bone sites in many countries in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. All of the 6Bone sites are shown on the 6Bone topology map .

Complete information on the 6Bone, mailing lists, how to join the 6Bone, etc. can be found on the 6Bone home page at LBL.

Next Generation Transition Working Group

The Next Generation Transition working group in the IETF is responsible for designing the mechanisms and procedures to support the transition of the Internet from IPv4 to IPv6. Additional information, including how to subscribe to the ngtrans mailing list, can be found on the ngtrans web page .

The 6ren is a voluntary coordination initiative of Research and Education Networks that provide production IPv6 transit service to facilitate high quality, high performance, and operationally robust IPv6 networks. Participation is free and open to all Research and Education Networks that provide IPv6 service. Other for-profit and not-for-profit IPv6 networks are also encouraged to participate.

Additional information on the 6REN can be found on the 6REN web pages .

A world-wide consortium of leading Internet vendors, Research & Education Networks are shaping the IPv6 FORUM, with a clear mission to promote IPv6 by dramatically improving the market and user awareness of IPv6.

Information on the IPv6 Forum can be found on the IPv6 Forum web site.

This page was developed by Robert Hinden of Nokia. It was last updated on 3 January 2003.

If you find problems with the links on this page, please contact him at hinden@iprg.nokia.com.