Configuring IPv6 on Cisco Routers: A Step-by-Step Guide

In the realm of modern networking, IPv6 is increasingly essential as organizations prepare for the future of internet communication. This lesson provides a comprehensive guide to configuring IPv6 on Cisco routers using the Command-Line Interface (CLI). By the end of this lesson, you will have a clear understanding of the essential commands and techniques required to enable IPv6, assign addresses, and verify configurations, establishing a strong foundation for practical network setup.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the configuration process, ensure that you have:

• Access to a Cisco router with administrative privileges.
• A basic understanding of IPv6 addressing.
• Familiarity with Cisco CLI navigation.

Step 1: Enable IPv6 Routing

The first step in configuring IPv6 on a Cisco router is to enable IPv6 routing. By default, IPv6 routing is not enabled on Cisco devices. Use the following command in global configuration mode:

Router(config)# ipv6 unicast-routing

This command enables the router to forward IPv6 packets and perform IPv6 routing.

Step 2: Configure IPv6 Addresses on Interfaces

Each interface on the router that will participate in IPv6 routing needs an IPv6 address. You can assign a static IPv6 address or use Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (SLAAC). Here, we’ll cover static addressing:

1. Enter the interface configuration mode for the desired interface:

   Router(config)# interface GigabitEthernet0/0

2. Assign an IPv6 address to the interface:

   Router(config-if)# ipv6 address 2001:0DB8:ACAD:1::1/64

3. Optionally, configure a link-local address (if required):

   Router(config-if)# ipv6 address FE80::1 link-local

   By default, Cisco routers generate a link-local address using the EUI-64 format if not manually configured.

   

   

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