IPv 6 Current version of the Internet Protocol

IPv 6 • Current version of the Internet Protocol is Version 4 (v 4) – Earlier versions were not implemented • The next version will be Version 6 (v 6) – No v 5 was implemented – Informally called IPng (Next Generation) • IPv 6 is Already Defined – Continuing improvements in v 4 may delay its adoption

IPv 6 • IPv 6 will raise the size of the internet address from 32 bits to 128 bits – Now running out of IP addresses – Will solve the problem – But current work-arounds are delaying the need for IPv 6 addresses

IPv 6 • Improved Security – But, through IPsec, v 4 is being upgraded in security as well • Improved Quality of Service (Qo. S) – But under IETF Differentiated Services (diffserv) initiative, IPv 4 is being upgraded in this area as well

IPv 6 • Extension Headers – IPv 4 Headers are complex – IPv 6 basic header is simple – Extension headers for options Basic Header Extension Header 1 Extension Header 2

IPv 6 • Extension Headers – Basic header has 8 -bit Next Header field – Identifies first extension header or says that payload follows NH Basic Header Extension Header 1 Extension Header 2

IPv 6 • Extension Headers – Each extension header also has 8 -bit Next Header field – Identifies next extension header or says that payload follows Basic Header NH Extension Header 1 Extension Header 2

IPv 6 • Extension Headers – Next header field is an elegant way to allow options – Easy to add new extension headers for new needs Basic Header NH Extension Header 1 Extension Header 2