IPv6 addresses are generated using a combination of network information and a unique identifier for the device on the network. The 128-bit address is typically represented as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits separated by colons.
IPv6 addresses are assigned to devices by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or network administrator. They can be generated using one of two main methods:
1. Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (SLAAC): In this method, the device generates its IPv6 address by combining the network prefix provided by the router with a random number generated by the device itself. The device also includes its unique identifier in the address, providing a unique address for each device on the network without the need for centralized address administration.
1. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol version 6 (DHCPv6): In this method, the IPv6 address is assigned by a DHCPv6 server, similar to how IPv4 addresses are assigned. The DHCPv6 server provides the device with the network prefix and assigns a unique identifier to the device.
In both methods, the device’s unique identifier can be a Media Access Control (MAC) address or a host name, which is then translated into a unique identifier using the Domain Name System (DNS) before being added to the IPv6 address.
