Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)

• IPv6 is the latest version of the IP routing protocol. It was originally called IPng (next generation) and is still under development.
• The new protocol is necessary to accommodate the greater demands being placed on the Internet.
• The major changes in the new version will be:
  • More addresses- this will be done by increasing the IP address size from 32 to 128 bits
  • Simplified IP headers- the number of header fields needed in an IP packet will be reduced
  • Added security features- the new protocol will provide greater support for privacy and security
• In other words, IPv6 is being designed with many efficiency considerations in mind.