SLAAC
IPv6 SLAAC (Stateless Address Autoconfiguration)
Within this page
SLAAC RFCs (17)
RFC 9762: Using Router Advertisements to Signal the Availability of DHCPv6 Prefix Delegation to Clients
Proposed Standard- L. Colitti
- J. Linkova
- X. Ma
- D. Lamparter
- June 2025
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
This document defines the P flag in the Prefix Information Option (PIO) of IPv6 Router Advertisements (RAs). The flag is used to indicate that the network prefers that clients use the deployment model in RFC 9663 instead of using individual addresses in the on-link prefix assigned using Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (SLAAC) or DHCPv6 address assignment.
This document updates RFC 4862 to indicate that the Autonomous flag in a PIO needs to be ignored if the PIO has the P flag set. It also updates RFC 4861 to specify that the P flag indicates DHCPv6 prefix delegation support for clients.
Abstract
This document defines the P flag in the Prefix Information Option (PIO) of IPv6 Router Advertisements (RAs). The flag is used to indicate that the network prefers that clients use the deployment model in RFC 9663 instead of using individual addresses in the on-link prefix assigned using Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (SLAAC) or DHCPv6 address assignment.
This document updates RFC 4862 to indicate that the Autonomous flag in a PIO needs to be ignored if the PIO has the P flag set. It also updates RFC 4861 to specify that the P flag indicates DHCPv6 prefix delegation support for clients.
RFC 9686: Registering Self-Generated IPv6 Addresses Using DHCPv6
Proposed Standard- W. Kumari
- S. Krishnan
- R. Asati
- L. Colitti
- J. Linkova
- S. Jiang
- December 2024
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
This document defines a method to inform a DHCPv6 server that a device has one or more self-generated or statically configured addresses.
Abstract
This document defines a method to inform a DHCPv6 server that a device has one or more self-generated or statically configured addresses.
RFC 9663: Using DHCPv6 Prefix Delegation (DHCPv6-PD) to Allocate Unique IPv6 Prefixes per Client in Large Broadcast Networks
Informational- L. Colitti
- J. Linkova
- X. Ma
- October 2024
- IETF publication
- Operations and Management Area
Abstract
This document discusses an IPv6 deployment scenario when individual nodes connected to large broadcast networks (such as enterprise networks or public Wi-Fi networks) are allocated unique prefixes via DHCPv6 Prefix Delegation (DHCPv6-PD), as specified in RFC 8415.
Abstract
This document discusses an IPv6 deployment scenario when individual nodes connected to large broadcast networks (such as enterprise networks or public Wi-Fi networks) are allocated unique prefixes via DHCPv6 Prefix Delegation (DHCPv6-PD), as specified in RFC 8415.
RFC 9131: Gratuitous Neighbor Discovery: Creating Neighbor Cache Entries on First-Hop Routers
Proposed Standard- J. Linkova
- October 2021
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
Neighbor Discovery (RFC 4861) is used by IPv6 nodes to determine the link-layer addresses of neighboring nodes as well as to discover and maintain reachability information. This document updates RFC 4861 to allow routers to proactively create a Neighbor Cache entry when a new IPv6 address is assigned to a node. It also updates RFC 4861 and recommends that nodes send unsolicited Neighbor Advertisements upon assigning a new IPv6 address. These changes will minimize the delay and packet loss when a node initiates connections to an off-link destination from a new IPv6 address.
Abstract
Neighbor Discovery (RFC 4861) is used by IPv6 nodes to determine the link-layer addresses of neighboring nodes as well as to discover and maintain reachability information. This document updates RFC 4861 to allow routers to proactively create a Neighbor Cache entry when a new IPv6 address is assigned to a node. It also updates RFC 4861 and recommends that nodes send unsolicited Neighbor Advertisements upon assigning a new IPv6 address. These changes will minimize the delay and packet loss when a node initiates connections to an off-link destination from a new IPv6 address.
RFC 8978: Reaction of IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (SLAAC) to Flash-Renumbering Events
Informational- F. Gont
- J. Žorž
- R. Patterson
- March 2021
- IETF publication
- Operations and Management Area
Abstract
In scenarios where network configuration information related to IPv6 prefixes becomes invalid without any explicit and reliable signaling of that condition (such as when a Customer Edge router crashes and reboots without knowledge of the previously employed prefixes), hosts on the local network may continue using stale prefixes for an unacceptably long time (on the order of several days), thus resulting in connectivity problems. This document describes this issue and discusses operational workarounds that may help to improve network robustness. Additionally, it highlights areas where further work may be needed.
Abstract
In scenarios where network configuration information related to IPv6 prefixes becomes invalid without any explicit and reliable signaling of that condition (such as when a Customer Edge router crashes and reboots without knowledge of the previously employed prefixes), hosts on the local network may continue using stale prefixes for an unacceptably long time (on the order of several days), thus resulting in connectivity problems. This document describes this issue and discusses operational workarounds that may help to improve network robustness. Additionally, it highlights areas where further work may be needed.
RFC 8981: Temporary Address Extensions for Stateless Address Autoconfiguration in IPv6
Proposed Standard- F. Gont
- S. Krishnan
- T. Narten
- R. Draves
- February 2021
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
This document describes an extension to IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration that causes hosts to generate temporary addresses with randomized interface identifiers for each prefix advertised with autoconfiguration enabled. Changing addresses over time limits the window of time during which eavesdroppers and other information collectors may trivially perform address-based network-activity correlation when the same address is employed for multiple transactions by the same host. Additionally, it reduces the window of exposure of a host as being accessible via an address that becomes revealed as a result of active communication. This document obsoletes RFC 4941.
Abstract
This document describes an extension to IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration that causes hosts to generate temporary addresses with randomized interface identifiers for each prefix advertised with autoconfiguration enabled. Changing addresses over time limits the window of time during which eavesdroppers and other information collectors may trivially perform address-based network-activity correlation when the same address is employed for multiple transactions by the same host. Additionally, it reduces the window of exposure of a host as being accessible via an address that becomes revealed as a result of active communication. This document obsoletes RFC 4941.
RFC 7934: BCP 204: Host Address Availability Recommendations
Best Current Practice- L. Colitti
- V. Cerf
- S. Cheshire
- D. Schinazi
- July 2016
- IETF publication
- Operations and Management Area
Abstract
This document recommends that networks provide general-purpose end hosts with multiple global IPv6 addresses when they attach, and it describes the benefits of and the options for doing so.
Abstract
This document recommends that networks provide general-purpose end hosts with multiple global IPv6 addresses when they attach, and it describes the benefits of and the options for doing so.
RFC 7217: A Method for Generating Semantically Opaque Interface Identifiers with IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (SLAAC)
Proposed Standard- F. Gont
- April 2014
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
This document specifies a method for generating IPv6 Interface Identifiers to be used with IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (SLAAC), such that an IPv6 address configured using this method is stable within each subnet, but the corresponding Interface Identifier changes when the host moves from one network to another. This method is meant to be an alternative to generating Interface Identifiers based on hardware addresses (e.g., IEEE LAN Media Access Control (MAC) addresses), such that the benefits of stable addresses can be achieved without sacrificing the security and privacy of users. The method specified in this document applies to all prefixes a host may be employing, including link-local, global, and unique-local prefixes (and their corresponding addresses).
Abstract
This document specifies a method for generating IPv6 Interface Identifiers to be used with IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (SLAAC), such that an IPv6 address configured using this method is stable within each subnet, but the corresponding Interface Identifier changes when the host moves from one network to another. This method is meant to be an alternative to generating Interface Identifiers based on hardware addresses (e.g., IEEE LAN Media Access Control (MAC) addresses), such that the benefits of stable addresses can be achieved without sacrificing the security and privacy of users. The method specified in this document applies to all prefixes a host may be employing, including link-local, global, and unique-local prefixes (and their corresponding addresses).
RFC 6957: Duplicate Address Detection Proxy
Proposed Standard- F. Costa
- J-M. Combes
- X. Pougnard
- H. Li
- June 2013
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
The document describes a proxy-based mechanism allowing the use of Duplicate Address Detection (DAD) by IPv6 nodes in a point-to-multipoint architecture with a "split-horizon" forwarding scheme, primarily deployed for Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and Fiber access architectures. Based on the DAD signaling, the first-hop router stores in a Binding Table all known IPv6 addresses used on a point-to-multipoint domain (e.g., VLAN). When a node performs DAD for an address already used by another node, the first-hop router defends the address rather than the device using the address.
Abstract
The document describes a proxy-based mechanism allowing the use of Duplicate Address Detection (DAD) by IPv6 nodes in a point-to-multipoint architecture with a "split-horizon" forwarding scheme, primarily deployed for Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and Fiber access architectures. Based on the DAD signaling, the first-hop router stores in a Binding Table all known IPv6 addresses used on a point-to-multipoint domain (e.g., VLAN). When a node performs DAD for an address already used by another node, the first-hop router defends the address rather than the device using the address.
RFC 6105: IPv6 Router Advertisement Guard
Informational- E. Levy-Abegnoli
- G. Van de Velde
- C. Popoviciu
- J. Mohacsi
- February 2011
- IETF publication
- Operations and Management Area
Abstract
Routed protocols are often susceptible to spoof attacks. The canonical solution for IPv6 is Secure Neighbor Discovery (SEND), a solution that is non-trivial to deploy. This document proposes a light-weight alternative and complement to SEND based on filtering in the layer-2 network fabric, using a variety of filtering criteria, including, for example, SEND status. This document is not an Internet Standards Track specification; it is published for informational purposes.
Abstract
Routed protocols are often susceptible to spoof attacks. The canonical solution for IPv6 is Secure Neighbor Discovery (SEND), a solution that is non-trivial to deploy. This document proposes a light-weight alternative and complement to SEND based on filtering in the layer-2 network fabric, using a variety of filtering criteria, including, for example, SEND status. This document is not an Internet Standards Track specification; it is published for informational purposes.
RFC 4862: IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration
Draft Standard- S. Thomson
- T. Narten
- T. Jinmei
- September 2007
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
This document specifies the steps a host takes in deciding how to autoconfigure its interfaces in IP version 6. The autoconfiguration process includes generating a link-local address, generating global addresses via stateless address autoconfiguration, and the Duplicate Address Detection procedure to verify the uniqueness of the addresses on a link. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
Abstract
This document specifies the steps a host takes in deciding how to autoconfigure its interfaces in IP version 6. The autoconfiguration process includes generating a link-local address, generating global addresses via stateless address autoconfiguration, and the Duplicate Address Detection procedure to verify the uniqueness of the addresses on a link. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
RFC 4941: Privacy Extensions for Stateless Address Autoconfiguration in IPv6
Draft Standard- T. Narten
- R. Draves
- S. Krishnan
- September 2007
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
Nodes use IPv6 stateless address autoconfiguration to generate addresses using a combination of locally available information and information advertised by routers. Addresses are formed by combining network prefixes with an interface identifier. On an interface that contains an embedded IEEE Identifier, the interface identifier is typically derived from it. On other interface types, the interface identifier is generated through other means, for example, via random number generation. This document describes an extension to IPv6 stateless address autoconfiguration for interfaces whose interface identifier is derived from an IEEE identifier. Use of the extension causes nodes to generate global scope addresses from interface identifiers that change over time, even in cases where the interface contains an embedded IEEE identifier. Changing the interface identifier (and the global scope addresses generated from it) over time makes it more difficult for eavesdroppers and other information collectors to identify when different addresses used in different transactions actually correspond to the same node. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
Obsoleted by RFC 8981
Abstract
Nodes use IPv6 stateless address autoconfiguration to generate addresses using a combination of locally available information and information advertised by routers. Addresses are formed by combining network prefixes with an interface identifier. On an interface that contains an embedded IEEE Identifier, the interface identifier is typically derived from it. On other interface types, the interface identifier is generated through other means, for example, via random number generation. This document describes an extension to IPv6 stateless address autoconfiguration for interfaces whose interface identifier is derived from an IEEE identifier. Use of the extension causes nodes to generate global scope addresses from interface identifiers that change over time, even in cases where the interface contains an embedded IEEE identifier. Changing the interface identifier (and the global scope addresses generated from it) over time makes it more difficult for eavesdroppers and other information collectors to identify when different addresses used in different transactions actually correspond to the same node. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
RFC 4429: Optimistic Duplicate Address Detection (DAD) for IPv6
Proposed Standard- N. Moore
- April 2006
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
Optimistic Duplicate Address Detection is an interoperable modification of the existing IPv6 Neighbor Discovery (RFC 2461) and Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (RFC 2462) processes. The intention is to minimize address configuration delays in the successful case, to reduce disruption as far as possible in the failure case, and to remain interoperable with unmodified hosts and routers. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
Abstract
Optimistic Duplicate Address Detection is an interoperable modification of the existing IPv6 Neighbor Discovery (RFC 2461) and Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (RFC 2462) processes. The intention is to minimize address configuration delays in the successful case, to reduce disruption as far as possible in the failure case, and to remain interoperable with unmodified hosts and routers. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
RFC 4076: Renumbering Requirements for Stateless Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6 (DHCPv6)
Informational- T. Chown
- S. Venaas
- A. Vijayabhaskar
- May 2005
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
IPv6 hosts using Stateless Address Autoconfiguration are able to configure their IPv6 address and default router settings automatically. However, further settings are not available. If these hosts wish to configure their DNS, NTP, or other specific settings automatically, the stateless variant of the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6 (DHCPv6) could be used. This combination of Stateless Address Autoconfiguration and stateless DHCPv6 could be used quite commonly in IPv6 networks. However, hosts using this combination currently have no means by which to be informed of changes in stateless DHCPv6 option settings; e.g., the addition of a new NTP server address, a change in DNS search paths, or full site renumbering. This document is presented as a problem statement from which a solution should be proposed in a subsequent document. This memo provides information for the Internet community.
Abstract
IPv6 hosts using Stateless Address Autoconfiguration are able to configure their IPv6 address and default router settings automatically. However, further settings are not available. If these hosts wish to configure their DNS, NTP, or other specific settings automatically, the stateless variant of the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6 (DHCPv6) could be used. This combination of Stateless Address Autoconfiguration and stateless DHCPv6 could be used quite commonly in IPv6 networks. However, hosts using this combination currently have no means by which to be informed of changes in stateless DHCPv6 option settings; e.g., the addition of a new NTP server address, a change in DNS search paths, or full site renumbering. This document is presented as a problem statement from which a solution should be proposed in a subsequent document. This memo provides information for the Internet community.
RFC 3041: Privacy Extensions for Stateless Address Autoconfiguration in IPv6
Proposed Standard- T. Narten
- R. Draves
- January 2001
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
This document describes an extension to IPv6 stateless address autoconfiguration for interfaces whose interface identifier is derived from an IEEE identifier. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
Obsoleted by RFC 4941
Abstract
This document describes an extension to IPv6 stateless address autoconfiguration for interfaces whose interface identifier is derived from an IEEE identifier. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
RFC 2462: IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration
Draft Standard- S. Thomson
- T. Narten
- December 1998
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
This document specifies the steps a host takes in deciding how to autoconfigure its interfaces in IP version 6. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
Obsoleted by RFC 4862
Abstract
This document specifies the steps a host takes in deciding how to autoconfigure its interfaces in IP version 6. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
RFC 1971: IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration
Proposed Standard- S. Thomson
- T. Narten
- August 1996
- IETF publication
- IP: Next Generation Area
Abstract
This document specifies the steps a host takes in deciding how to autoconfigure its interfaces in IP version 6. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
Obsoleted by RFC 2462
Abstract
This document specifies the steps a host takes in deciding how to autoconfigure its interfaces in IP version 6. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
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