Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that is used in many devices, such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. It is a convenient and flexible way to connect to a network without the need for physical cables.
IPv6 is the latest version of the Internet Protocol (IP) and it is designed to replace IPv4, which is running out of available addresses. IPv6 can be used over different types of network technologies, including Wi-Fi.
In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of IPv6 over Wi-Fi, including the frame format and addressing used in this combination of technologies.
IPv6 over Wi-Fi refers to the use of IPv6 on Wi-Fi networks. Wi-Fi networks can be configured to support IPv6 in the same way as IPv4, but there are some differences in the frame format and addressing used in IPv6 over Wi-Fi.
A Wi-Fi frame is the basic unit of data transmission in a Wi-Fi network. It consists of a header and a payload, as well as some other fields that are used for error detection and correction.
The header of a Wi-Fi frame includes several fields that are used to identify the source and destination of the frame. These fields include:
IPv6 addresses are 128-bit addresses that are represented in hexadecimal notation. They are divided into two parts: the network prefix and the interface identifier.
IPv6 addresses used in Wi-Fi networks can be of two types: link-local addresses and global addresses.
Link-local addresses are used for communication within a single Wi-Fi network, similar to link-local addresses used in Ethernet. They are automatically assigned to an interface when it is initialized and are only valid within the local network segment.
Link-local addresses are identified by the prefix fe80::/10 and the interface identifier that is derived from the MAC address of the Wi-Fi interface.
Global addresses are used for communication across different Wi-Fi networks or over the Internet. They are assigned by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or other organizations and are globally unique.
Global addresses are identified by a prefix that identifies the network and a 64-bit interface identifier that is typically derived from the MAC address of the Wi-Fi interface. The most common prefix length for global addresses is /64, which provides a large number of addresses for a single network.
IPv6 over Wi-Fi is a common combination of technologies used in modern networks. Wi-Fi provides a flexible and convenient way to connect to a network without the need for physical cables, while IPv6 provides a large address space and advanced features for routing and addressing.
In this blog post, we discussed the basics of IPv6 over Wi-Fi, including the frame format and addressing used in this combination of technologies. We explained how Wi-Fi frames are structured and how IPv6 addresses are assigned and used for communication within and between Wi-Fi networks.
By understanding the basics of IPv6 over Wi-Fi, network administrators can ensure that their networks are configured correctly and are capable of efficiently forwarding data across different Wi-Fi networks and the Internet.
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