Unlike the 32-bit addresses of IPv4, IPv6 addresses are 128-bits. These longer addresses are partitioned into 16-bit bocks; then, each of these smaller blocks is turned into a 4-digit Hexadecimal number. Built into IPv6 addresses is notation identifying the application it will be used for. The first 64-bits of the address are for routing and the last 64-bits represent the interface or node.
An example of an IPv6 address is:
3002:1ca7:45dc:0511:f3b4:0000:0000:1bac
Different techniques can be used to shorten IPv6 addresses. The most common shortening method is to exclude repeating zeros. Two blocks of just zeros in a row can be noted with two colons instead. Also, any zeros starting a block can be left out of notation.
An example of a shortened IPv6 address is:
3002:1ca7:45dc:511:f3b4::1bac
There are also special addresses for IPv6. Global unicast addresses are the IPv6 equivalent of IPv4 public addresses; they are both unique and globally identifiable. Link-local addresses are used for IPv6 hosts communicating on a link. Unique-local addresses are globally unique but are designated for local communication only.
All of Setra’s Power Meters now support IPv6 as well as BACnet Addendum 135-2012aj, which covers Annex U, the BACnet/IPv6 section of the standard. Not only are Setra Power Meters the best hardware available today, but by supporting IPv6 they future-proof networking needs for energy management.