RFC 2460 (rfc2460) - Page 1 of 39
Internet Protocol, Version 6 (IPv6) Specification
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group S. Deering
Request for Comments: 2460 Cisco
Obsoletes: 1883 R. Hinden
Category: Standards Track Nokia
December 1998
Internet Protocol, Version 6 (IPv6)
Specification
Status of this Memo
This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1998). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
This document specifies version 6 of the Internet Protocol (IPv6),
also sometimes referred to as IP Next Generation or IPng.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction..................................................2
2. Terminology...................................................3
3. IPv6 Header Format............................................4
4. IPv6 Extension Headers........................................6
4.1 Extension Header Order...................................7
4.2 Options..................................................9
4.3 Hop-by-Hop Options Header...............................11
4.4 Routing Header..........................................12
4.5 Fragment Header.........................................18
4.6 Destination Options Header..............................23
4.7 No Next Header..........................................24
5. Packet Size Issues...........................................24
6. Flow Labels..................................................25
7. Traffic Classes..............................................25
8. Upper-Layer Protocol Issues..................................27
8.1 Upper-Layer Checksums...................................27
8.2 Maximum Packet Lifetime.................................28
8.3 Maximum Upper-Layer Payload Size........................28
8.4 Responding to Packets Carrying Routing Headers..........29
Deering & Hinden Standards Track