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IPv6 fc00::/7 — Unique local addresses


From: Jeroen van Aart <jeroen () mompl net>
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:48:47 -0700

<IPv6 newbie>

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPv6_address#Special_addresses an fc00::/7 address includes a 40-bit pseudo random number:

"fc00::/7 — Unique local addresses (ULA's) are intended for local communication. They are routable only within a set of cooperating sites (analogous to the private address ranges 10/8, 172.16/12, and 192.168/16 of IPv4).[12] The addresses include a 40-bit pseudorandom number in the routing prefix intended to minimize the risk of conflicts if sites merge or packets are misrouted into the Internet. Despite the restricted, local usage of these addresses, their address scope is global, i.e. they are expected to be globally unique."

I am trying to set up a local IPv6 network and am curious why all the examples I come accross do not seem to use the 40-bit pseudorandom number? What should I do? Use something like fd00::1234, or incorporate something like the interface's MAC address into the address? It'd make the address quite unreadable though.

Thanks,
Jeroen

--
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