Tips and tutorials
IPv6
GENRAL FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS
General questions
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1. What is an IP address?
When you enter a website’s URL in your browser – eg. www.netvigator.com – the domain name is translated into a string of numbers called an Internet Protocol address (IP address). This uniquely identifies a website.
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2. What is IPv6? And its purpose?
Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is the next-generation Internet Protocol (IP). This is the communications protocol that routes traffic through the Internet. IPv6 uses a 128-bit address, giving rise to 2128 – approximately 3.4x1038addresses – or a number amounting to 340,282 followed by 33 zeroes.
Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) is the main method by which IP addresses are assigned on the Internet. However, IPv4 addresses are running out fast as a result of explosive growth and the sheer number of devices accessing the web. In the main, IPv4 will soon run out, whereas IPv6 can solve the issue of insufficient IP address. -
3. What’s the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 is the protocol widely deployed today. IPv4 uses a 32-bit address, providing capacity for 232 addresses, amounting to about 4.3 billion. IPv6 succeeds IPv4 and uses a 128-bit address, giving rise to 2128 – approximately 3.4x1038 – addresses.
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4. Why do we need IPv6?
More devices accessing the Internet means more addresses need to be made available. In the main, IP addresses are provided according to the IPv4 standard. These will soon run out, so IPv6 has been introduced to provide a virtually unlimited number of addresses.
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5. What will happen when the IPv4 address pool is exhausted?
The IPv4 address pool is already insufficient to meet customer demand in some countries, with some Internet service providers already offering an IPv6-only service. In Hong Kong, existing devices and networks connected to the Internet with IPv4 addresses will continue to work. In fact, IPv4 is expected to co-exist with IPv6 via our dual-stack approach.
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6. What is dual stack?
A dual-stack network allows IPv4 and IPv6 networks to run in parallel. This is a common approach among Internet service providers and supported by major operating systems and network vendors
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7. Where can I find out more about IPv6?
Visit http://www.ipv6forum.com or http://www.worldipv6launch.org for more information.
Questions relating to IPv6 in Hong Kong
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1. What is Hong Kong’s IPv6 situation?
The Hong Kong Internet Exchange (HKIX) has been supporting IPv6 since March 2004. Many organizations and institutes already have IPv6 connections to HKIX. And NETVIGATOR is the first local broadband service provider to provide IPv6 for the benefit of residential customers.
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2. What kind of entities are using IPv6 in Hong Kong?
Many corporate organizations have deployed IPv6. Go to http://ipv6now.hk/en/Resources.php for more information.
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3. Are Hong Kong domain names (“.hk” and “.香港”) compatible with IPv6?
The Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation (HKIRC) runs the registry that oversees policies for domain names ending with “.hk” and “.香港” and supports IPv6 addresses.
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4. Where can I find out more about IPv6 in Hong Kong?
Go to http://ipv6now.hk or http://www.isoc.hk/category/ipv6/ for more information.