Home > Articles > Microsoft

What You Need to Know About IPv6 in Order to Pass a Microsoft Exam, Part 1

IPv6 has been appearing in Microsoft operating systems since Windows 2000 and is quickly becoming a prevalent part of networking exams. It’s important to become familiar with the key elements and what new features it brings with it in the Microsoft infrastructure course. In this article, Dave Leaver will discuss the key facts you should know about IPv6 for your Microsoft exams.
Like this article? We recommend

A Microsoft Technet article named “Microsoft’s objectives for IPv6” states that the conversion of IPv4 networks to IPv6 was a bigger and riskier task than “Year 2000”, and we all know what a big fuss that was. However, in reality, there is a lot more known about IPv6, and it began appearing within Microsoft operating systems in Windows 2000. With every continuing operating system release, IPv6 has become more and more prevalent, with the latest Windows 2008 series of exams including IPv6 as an accepted part of the course on the networking exam series. Like the rest of the world, there is no hiding from the fact that you will need to know about IPv6 for your networking exam series, including the key elements and what new features it brings with it in the Microsoft infrastructure course. So in order to break it down we will discuss the key facts you should know about IPv6 for your Microsoft exams, and then in part 2 we discuss IPv6 within the Microsoft operating system itself and where it appears throughout the course.

Understanding the IP address

The most obvious and daunting feature of IPv6 over IPv4 is the IP address itself. The concept of an IP address assigned to a device, and the device internetworking with other devices is still the same. However, in order to provide enough IP addresses for the rest of the universe forever and ever, there needed to be a significant change in the IP address structure. So from the traditional 32-bit IPv4 address there is now a 128-bit IP address, which is made up of 8 octets of sixteen bits. For example:

2001:0020:0000:0000:0000:0BB4:3D2A:A611

Already this looks completely different, and looks more like output from a Getmac command than an IPconfig (in fact, MAC addresses do play a part—but more on that later).

In order to make this a bit more manageable you can substitute (only once within an IPv6 IP) the zeros and represent them with a colon:

2001:0020::0BB4:3D2A:A611

This can be shrunk down further by removing all of the leading zeros within the IPv6 address:

2001:20::BB4:3D2A:A611

In order for you understand the address fully, you need to make sure you learn hexadecimal for your Microsoft exam studies; even before taking on the MTA networking exam, you should have an understanding of hexadecimal and what the letters A to F represent numerically.

In the same way that an IPv4 address divides up the IP address into the network bits and the host bits, the IPv6 network takes that a bit further. The main reason for this is the reduced amount of NAT required in IPv6 means that more information is required within the IP address itself.

When considering the subnet mask for IPv6, it also has to be approached differently, as only a portion of the address deals with the subnetting element.

So with the first 48 bits being taken for the global routing element, the next 16 bits are reserved for the subnet and the last 64 bits are defined for the interface range. As defined below, the red bits are representing the subnet range.

11111111111111111. 11111111111111111. 11111111111111111. 11111111111111111. 11111111111111111. 
11111111111111111. 11111111111111111. 11111111111111111

However in order to display this subnet notation in a more manageable way you can represent the above address as

FFFF.FFFF.FFFF.FFFF. FFFF.FFFF.FFFF.FFFF

So you can use the same hexadecimal format as you can for the IPv6 address itself, although not all devices support this feature.

Different address types

As explained above, the first octet of the IPv6 is reserved as its global routing ID or prefix. This allows you to identify the IPv6 address as either a link-local, multicast, or global IP just by viewing its prefix.

One of the main aspects of Windows networking in the past has been the use of broadcasting. Broadcasting appears in all of the Microsoft networking series of exams right up to the current 2008 track. The main reason outside of networking is because of WINS (the Microsoft version of DNS), which uses NBT nodes to establish name resolution within a domain.

However, in the world of IPv6 broadcasting is a thing of the past, and they are now replaced by Unicast, Multicast and Anycast.

A unicast address is as it sounds in that it provides one-to-one communication between two devices at either a Local-link level, Unique-link level and the Global-link level. It is important you understand this for your exams, including the various levels that it works at as outlined below.

Level

Description

Local-link level

As it sounds this operates at layer 2 of the OSI model (it goes without saying you should know the OSI model inside out for any networking series of exams). So in short it operates in the local network only.

The Link local address starts with the global ID FE80::/10 with the second 64 bits reserved for the interface ID.

Unique-local level

This level really exists to satisfy a network administrators need to have a subnet for their company. So this operates at the site level and always begin with FD00::/8 as its global ID, the second portion is its unique subnet ID and the last portion of bits is reserved for the interface ID.

Global level

This is the equivalent of a public IP address as it allows one-to-one communications between two external devices.

The global ID is called the “Global routing prefix” as it identifies what country it is representing. This always begins with a 2000::/3, so for example the UK could be 2002::/3

The remaining bits represent the subnet identifier and the interface identifier.

You may be familiar with multicasting addresses if you have covered any of the Microsoft networking exams in the past; however, this is likely to have been the IPv4 version, which has a much smaller IP range than IPv6. Multicasting is really the closest replacement for the broadcast as it identifies a network of devices as a single IP and so when data is received it sends it to all of the interfaces in that group.

The Global ID is FF00::/8 with additional 4 bit entries which establish what type of scope the multicast address is a member of. For the purpose of your Microsoft exams you won’t really need to know much more detail on multicasting than this.

Anycast addresses are a really great feature in IPv6 that is very similar to subnet prioritisation that in turn helps load balance network traffic based on the closest subnet available to handle a request. A good example would be Microsoft’s web servers. These are based all over the world handling web requests. With Anycast they can all be given the same IPv6 address and then the closest geographic interface answers the request.

Co-existence between IPv6 and IPv4

This is a guaranteed exam question area within any networking series exam that is focusing specifically on IPv6, as IPv4 still plays a major part.

Unlike the impending nature of the Y2K changeover, IPv6 is making a more gradual emergence into the networking world, which is down to a number of integrating features that are allowing IPv4 and IPv6 to work together.

Dual stack routers

This is fairly explanatory in that new routers are not only becoming IPv6 compliant but they allow both the IPv4 stack and the IPv6 stack to work together on the same device. For your Microsoft exams, you should understand what is meant by the term IP stack, as it will make understanding the dual stack methodology a bit clearer.

6to4 or 4to6

Imagine two IPv6 networks that wish to communicate with each other, but they must first traverse an IPv4 network; they can do this via 6to4 tunnelling. The process also works the other way round and in turn this allows the transport of data over the mixed stacks achievable.

NAT-PT

This is really ongoing from the 6to4/4to6 method, where an ISP provides the Network Address Translation—Port Translation to occur in order for the two IP versions to communicate. For the purposes of your studies, understanding the purpose of NAT-PT is enough.

Within the Microsoft examination track, IPv6 is now fully embedded into the courses available from the MTA’s onwards, all of the way up to the most advanced Microsoft exams, which we will cover in Part Two of "What You Need to Know About IPv6 in Order to Pass a Microsoft Exam."

Pearson IT Certification Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Pearson IT Certification and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Pearson IT Certification products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.pearsonitcertification.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020