IPv6 Addresses

IPv6 address formatting may appear difficult, but here is a non-exhaustive list of guides and tools to make it easier.

IPv6 Address Tutorials

• The IPv6 Prefix Primer
  A brief, easy-to-follow introduction to IPv6 notation, prefixes and subnetting.
• IPv6 Address Design, by Jeff Doyle
  An introduction to scale, simplicity and efficiency in IPv6 address planning.
• Best Current Operational Practices - IPv6 Subnetting
  IPv6 subnetting guidelines for planning and implementing an IPv6 network.
• How Are Your Hexadecimal Skills?
  Jeff Doyle's tips on easy hexadecimal manipulation.
• DHCP for IPv4 vs IPv6, by Richard Donaldson
  Differences between Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv4 and IPv6, and the changes for DHCPv6.
• IPv6 SLAAC Concepts and Configuration, by Sean Wilkins
  Stateless Address Autoconfiguration provides IPv6 address assignment based on a prefix advertised from a local router.

Address Management for IPv6

Software to help with IP address management (IPAM) has long been available for IPv4, and now IPv6 versions are becoming available. IPAM tools are important in IPv6 as networks have larger address pools, different subnetting techniques, and more complex 128-bit hexadecimal numbers. Here are links to some open source and commercial IPAM packages. IPv6Now does not guarantee any of these packages, links are supplied for information purposes only.

Note this important article from ERNW on security aspects of some commercial IPAM packages: Evaluation of (Security-related) IPv6 Capabilities of Commercial IPAM Solutions.

Free IPv6 IPAM Packages

• GestióIP: automated, Web based IPv4/IPv6 address management software. The online subnet calculator includes a hierarchical IPv6 addressing plan builder for creation of organization-specific IPv6 allocation schemes. It features powerful network discovery functions, search and filter functions and an automated VLAN management system.


• NIPAP - Neat IP Address Planner: challenges classical IP address management (IPAM) systems in many areas. Developed at a European service provider, NIPAP is well suited for large organisations with massive amounts of IP addresses, as well as smaller enterprises with simple needs. The intuitive web interface lowers the barrier of entry for beginner users, while also offering advanced search by regexp and IPv4/IPv6 prefix.


• TeamIp: a robust Open Source web 2.0 solution that enables professional IP Management activity within IT departments of all size. A simple and powerful user interface will allow network administrators to manage their IPv4 and IPv6 Plans, subnet space and IPs in accordance with best in class IP Management practices.


• phpIPAM: an open-source web IP address management application. Its goal is to provide light and simple IP address management. It is ajax-based using jQuery libraries, php scripts, javascript and some HTML5/CSS3 features. Features IPv4/IPv6 address management, IPv4/IPv6 address calculator.


• HaCi: an IP address/network administration tool with IPv6 support. It stores data efficiently in a relational database and uses a treelike structure to illustrate supernets and subnets. Manage network trees ordered by roots, add IPv4 and IPv6 networks, show subnets, split, copy, move, delete etc, import networks from other sources, language localization.


• IPplan: a free (GPL), web based, multilingual, TCP/IP address management and tracking tool written in php 4. Also includes DNS administration, configuration file management, circuit management and storing of hardware information. Support for IPv6 (currently in BETA from version 6.00-BETA1).

Commercial IPv6 IPAM Packages

• Infoblox IP Address Management: The Trinzic IPAM product family includes the base IPAM product (part of the Trinzic DDI bundle), a freeware version, and add-ons for VMware virtualization and Microsoft server environments. IPAM automates and simplifies IP address management for a more resilient network while yielding significant savings in labor and bother.


• SolarWinds IP Address Manager: helps you plan your IPv4 to IPv6 migration by creating and testing multiple scenarios before implementation. Add, edit, and delete IPv6 addresses and subnets; search for IPv4 or IPv6 addresses and find the "other side" address on dual-stack devices; create and edit IPv6 groups for organizing network components; easily view IPv4 and IPv6 addresses in dual-stack devices; add, delete, or edit individual or ranges of IPv6 addresses, edit IPv6 prefixes.


• Crypton/Easy-IP: an IP Address Management solution designed to help you understand, plan and manage IP Address space across your entire network infrastructure. Control IP address assignment, migrate seamlessly from IPv4 to IPv6, discover existing network devices, find out your subnet utilization, document IP address plans. Using a powerful SNMP auto-discovery engine, Easy-IP maintains an accurate, up-to-date inventory for all subnets, IP addresses and network devices.


• Icognito Software/Address Commander: uses robust Java APIs to incorporate IP address allocations and reclaims into your OSS. Manages IPv4 and IPv6 dynamic scopes and static IP assignments through a single interface. Maintains data validity and detects problematic configurations and duplicate assignments. Easily generates comprehensive reports detailing IP address allocations. Integrates multiple regional DHCP deployments.