This network connection can use Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) auto-configuration to dynamically assign itself a link-local address, or it can obtain an IPv6 address from a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCPv6) server.

Alternatively, this network connection can use a manually specified IPv6 address (also known as a static IPv6 address). If you select this option, you must specify an IP address in IPv6 address. You must also specify a subnet prefix length and a default gateway. The standard prefix length (unless specified otherwise) is 64.

When you select Obtain an IPv6 address automatically, IPv6 auto-configuration is enabled. A network connection automatically assigns a link-local address to itself and its default gateway can assign it more addresses. The default gateway can specify that the network connection must use DHCPv6 to obtain more IPv6 addresses, but it is not required by default.

When you select Use the following IPv6 address, IPv6 auto-configuration is still enabled, but static IPv6 addresses are assigned in addition to the auto-configured IPv6 addresses.

Procedures

To configure IPv6 for dynamic addressing (default)
  • Click Obtain an IPv6 address automatically, and then click OK.

    This procedure is only required if a static IPv6 configuration was previously used. By default, computers running Windows operating systems attempt to obtain IP configuration from a DHCP server on your network. In this context, Domain Name System (DNS) is included as part of IP configuration.

To configure IPv6 for static addressing
  1. Click Use the following IPv6 address, and then do one of the following:

    • For a local area connection, in IPv6 address, Subnet prefix length, and Default gateway, type the IP address, subnet prefix length, and default gateway address.

    • For all other connections, in IPv6 address, type the IP address.

  2. Click Use the following DNS server addresses.

  3. In Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server, type the primary and secondary DNS server addresses.

To configure advanced static IPv6 address settings for a local area connection, click Advanced.

Additional references

For updated detailed IT pro information about TCP/IP versions 4 and 6, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=117437 and https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=71543.