Information About Configuring IPv6 Host Functions
Understanding IPv6
IPv4 users can move to IPv6 and receive services such as end-to-end security, quality of service (QoS), and
globally unique addresses. The IPv6 address space reduces the need for private addresses and Network Address
Translation (NAT) processing by border routers at network edges.
For information about how Cisco Systems implements IPv6, go to:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6553/products_ios_technology_home.html
For information about IPv6 and other features in this chapter
• See the Cisco IOS IPv6 Configuration Library.
• Use the Search field on Cisco.com to locate the Cisco IOS software documentation. For example, if you
want information about static routes, you can enter Implementing Static Routes for IPv6 in the search
field to learn about static routes.
IPv6 Addresses
The switch supports only IPv6 unicast addresses. It does not support site-local unicast addresses, or anycast
addresses.
The IPv6 128-bit addresses are represented as a series of eight 16-bit hexadecimal fields separated by colons
in the format: n:n:n:n:n:n:n:n. This is an example of an IPv6 address:
2031:0000:130F:0000:0000:09C0:080F:130B
For easier implementation, leading zeros in each field are optional. This is the same address without leading
zeros:
2031:0:130F:0:0:9C0:80F:130B
You can also use two colons (::) to represent successive hexadecimal fields of zeros, but you can use this short
version only once in each address:
2031:0:130F::09C0:080F:130B
For more information about IPv6 address formats, address types, and the IPv6 packet header, see the
"Implementing IPv6 Addressing and Basic Connectivity" chapter of Cisco IOS IPv6 Configuration Library
on Cisco.com.
In the "Implementing Addressing and Basic Connectivity" chapter, these sections apply to the Catalyst 2960,
2960-S, 2960-C, 2960-X, 2960-CX and 3560-CX switches:
• IPv6 Address Formats
• IPv6 Address Type: Multicast
• IPv6 Address Output Display
• Simplified IPv6 Packet Header
Supported IPv6 Unicast Routing Features
These sections describe the IPv6 protocol features supported by the switch:
Consolidated Platform Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 15.2(4)E (Catalyst 2960-X Switches)
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