Definition

6to4

What is 6to4?

6to4 is a tunneling mechanism used to transfer IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) packets over an IPv4 infrastructure, typically the IPv4 Internet. The 6to4 mechanism was created to support coexistence of both versions during the transition to IPv6, which is expected to take years.

The three main functions of 6to4 are:

Allocation of a block of IPv6 address space to IPv4 host.
Encapsulation of IPv6 packets within IPv4 packets.
Routing traffic between networks.

The 6to4 mechanism is well-known and widely implemented in most operating systems and routers.

Related glossary terms: RS-232C, encoder, online, BOC (Bell operating company), Peltier effect, LEC (local exchange carrier), IT Survival Kit: Networking refreshers, downstream, Usenet, network configuration management (NCM)

This was last updated in July 2009

Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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