New ip address format
You're referring to the new IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) address format!
IPv6 is a newer version of the Internet Protocol, designed to replace the older IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4). IPv6 was introduced to address the problem of IPv4's limited address space, which was running out of available addresses.
Here's a brief overview of the new IPv6 address format:
IPv6 Address Format:
An IPv6 address is 128 bits long, represented as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits, separated by colons (:). Each group is called a "hextet."
Example: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
Key Features:
- 128-bit address space: IPv6 has a much larger address space than IPv4, which means there are many more unique addresses available.
- Colon-separated notation: IPv6 addresses are written in a colon-separated notation, which makes them easier to read and write.
- Hexadecimal digits: IPv6 addresses use hexadecimal digits (0-9, a-f) to represent the 128-bit address.
- Leading zeros are optional: In IPv6, leading zeros in a hextet are optional, making the addresses more readable.
- Double colon (::) for compression: IPv6 addresses can use a double colon (::) to compress consecutive groups of zeros, making them more concise.
IPv6 Address Types:
There are several types of IPv6 addresses, including:
- Unicast: A unique address that identifies a single interface on a device.
- Multicast: An address that identifies a group of interfaces on multiple devices.
- Anycast: An address that identifies multiple interfaces on multiple devices, with the closest interface responding to requests.
- Link-local: An address used for communication between devices on the same network.
IPv6 Adoption:
IPv6 is gradually being adopted by networks and devices around the world. Many modern operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, support IPv6. However, IPv4 is still widely used, and many networks and devices may not support IPv6 yet.
I hope this helps you understand the new IPv6 address format!