IPv6 for VPS: Everything You Need to Know About the New Protocol

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is the sixth version of the internet data transmission protocol, replacing IPv4. While IPv4 provides 4.3 billion addresses, IPv6 offers 340 undecillion addresses—a number with 39 zeros. This solves the main problem of the modern internet—shortage of unique addresses.

Why IPv6 Appeared

Address exhaustion problem. IPv4 was created in 1981 when nobody expected the internet to grow to billions of devices. In 2011, free IPv4 address blocks ran out.

Growth in device numbers. Every smartphone, smart bulb, car—everything requires its own network address. IPv4 physically cannot serve this quantity.

Temporary solution—NAT. Currently, providers use NAT (Network Address Translation) technology, where hundreds of devices work through one external address. But this creates problems with connectivity, security, and speed.

How IPv6 Differs from IPv4

Address Format

IPv4: 203.0.113.42 (four groups of numbers up to 255)

IPv6: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 (eight groups of four hexadecimal characters)

Shortened IPv6: 2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:370:7334 (zeros can be omitted)

Number of Addresses

IPv4: 4,294,967,296 addresses (approximately 4.3 billion)

IPv6: 340,282,366,920,938,463,463,374,607,431,768,211,456 addresses

To understand the scale: IPv6 addresses are enough to assign a unique address to every atom on Earth's surface. With enough left for 100 more such planets.

Packet Structure

IPv4: Simplified header, 13 fields

IPv6: Optimized header, 8 fields, processed faster by routers

Result: IPv6 is theoretically 10-15% faster under equal conditions.

Built-in Security

IPv4: IPSec (encryption) optional, added separately

IPv6: IPSec built into protocol by default

Advantage: Secure data transmission without additional configuration.

Automatic Configuration

IPv4: Requires DHCP server for automatic address assignment

IPv6: SLAAC (Stateless Address Autoconfiguration)—device generates its own address

Convenience: Connect device—it automatically gets address, no configuration needed.

IPv6 Advantages for Your VPS

Direct Connection Without NAT

On IPv4: Your VPS may be behind NAT, complicating connections

On IPv6: Always direct address, accessible from anywhere in the world

Benefits:

• Easier VPN server setup
• Better peer-to-peer applications
• Lower latency

Free Additional Addresses

IPv4: Additional addresses cost $2-5 each

IPv6: Provider can allocate entire /64 subnet (18 quintillion addresses) for free

Application:

• Separate address for each Docker container
• Unique address for each site
• Service isolation at network level

Geo-distribution

IPv6 supports Anycast natively:

• One address can lead to nearest server
• Automatic load balancing
• Fault tolerance

Better Routing

Simplified routing tables:

• IPv6 aggregates addresses more efficiently
• Fewer router table entries
• Faster packet processing

In practice: Ping via IPv6 can be 5-10 ms faster than via IPv4.

IPv6 Disadvantages and Issues

Incomplete Support

Not all providers support IPv6:

• Russia: ~20% of providers
• Europe: ~40-50%
• USA: ~50-60%

Problem: User without IPv6 cannot connect to IPv6-only server.

Need for Dual Stack

Dual-stack (IPv4 + IPv6):

• Need to configure both protocols
• Double administration
• Firewall rules for both

Complication: Instead of one set of settings—two.

More Complex Addresses

IPv4: 203.0.113.42—easy to remember

IPv6: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334—practically impossible to remember

Solution: Use DNS, not IP directly.

Transition Period

Compatibility issues:

• Legacy software may not support IPv6
• Some services work only via IPv4
• Tunnels and transition mechanisms needed

When IPv6 is Needed on VPS

Mandatory

1. Modern applications—new protocols and standards oriented toward IPv6
2. International audience—in some countries IPv6 dominates (Belgium 60%, India 70%)
3. Internet of Things—smart devices massively use IPv6
4. Blockchain and crypto—many nodes work via IPv6
5. Standards compliance—some certifications require IPv6

Recommended

1. Future preparation—IPv4 will eventually phase out
2. Routing optimization—in some networks IPv6 is faster
3. Additional addresses—free alternative to buying IPv4

Can Skip

1. Local projects—working only within Russia/CIS
2. Legacy software—applications don't support IPv6
3. Simple sites—blogs, business cards without special requirements

How Dual-Stack Works

Dual-Stack is simultaneous IPv4 and IPv6 operation on one server.

How It Looks

Your VPS has two addresses:

• IPv4: 203.0.113.42
• IPv6: 2001:db8:85a3::1

Domain DNS records:

example.com.  A      203.0.113.42
example.com.  AAAA   2001:db8:85a3::1

Client connects:

• If they have IPv6 → connects via IPv6
• If only IPv4 → connects via IPv4

Happy Eyeballs: Browsers try connecting via both protocols simultaneously and use whichever responds faster.

Dual-Stack Configuration

Nginx web server:

server {
    listen 80;
    listen [::]:80;  # IPv6
    server_name example.com;
}

Apache web server:

Listen 80
Listen [::]:80

Firewall (iptables + ip6tables):

IPv4:

iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j ACCEPT

IPv6:

ip6tables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j ACCEPT

Testing IPv6

Check Support on Your Device

Open: https://test-ipv6.com/

The site will show:

• Whether you have IPv6
• Whether connection works
• IPv4 vs IPv6 speed

Check IPv6 on Server

Get server IPv6 address:

ip -6 addr show

Ping IPv6 address:

ping6 2001:db8::1

Check IPv6 connection to site:

curl -6 https://example.com

Check DNS Records

Check AAAA record (IPv6):

dig example.com AAAA

Should return line like:

example.com.  300  IN  AAAA  2001:db8:85a3::1

IPv6 Security

New Threats

Network scanning is harder:

• IPv6 /64 subnet contains 18 quintillion addresses
• Scanning entire subnet impossible in reasonable time
• Security through "obscurity"

But:

• Attacks still possible
• Vulnerabilities in IPv6 implementation
• New attack vectors

IPv6 Protection

Firewall mandatory:

# Allow only HTTP/HTTPS
ip6tables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j ACCEPT
ip6tables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j ACCEPT

# Block everything else
ip6tables -P INPUT DROP

Disable IPv6 Privacy Extensions on server:

These extensions change IPv6 every few hours for anonymity. Not needed on server.

sysctl -w net.ipv6.conf.all.use_tempaddr=0

Monitor IPv6 traffic:

tcpdump -i eth0 ip6

IPv6 Migration Strategy

Migration Stages

Stage 1: Dual Stack

• Add IPv6 parallel to IPv4
• Configure DNS AAAA records
• Test both protocols

Stage 2: IPv6 Priority

• Optimize routing for IPv6
• Use IPv6 for internal connections

Stage 3: IPv6-only (future)

• When IPv4 becomes legacy
• Use NAT64 for accessing old IPv4 resources

Practical Implementation Plan

Week 1: Preparation

• Get IPv6 address from provider
• Update equipment and software
• Study documentation

Week 2: Configuration

• Configure network interfaces
• Configure web server, database
• Configure firewall for IPv6

Week 3: DNS and Testing

• Add AAAA records
• Test from different clients
• Monitor logs

Week 4: Optimization

• Fix issues
• Optimize routing
• Document settings

IPv6 and SEO

Google supports IPv6:

• Googlebot can index via IPv6
• IPv6 doesn't affect ranking (yet)
• But future-readiness is a plus

Google recommendations:

• Configure Dual-Stack
• Ensure site accessible via both protocols
• Check in Google Search Console

IPv6 Adoption Worldwide

Leading countries by IPv6 deployment (2025):

• India—72%
• Malaysia—68%
• Belgium—61%
• Germany—60%
• USA—54%
• France—48%
• Russia: ~20% (slow deployment)

IPv6 Myths

"IPv6 will replace IPv4 by 2027" Reality: IPv4 and IPv6 will coexist for another 10-20 years.

"IPv6 is faster than IPv4" Reality: Theoretically yes, practically difference is minimal (1-5%).

"IPv6 is harder to configure" Reality: Modern systems configure IPv6 automatically.

"IPv6 is more secure than IPv4" Reality: Protocol includes IPSec, but security depends on configuration.

"I don't need IPv6" Reality: In 5-10 years IPv6 will become standard. Better to prepare ahead.

IPv6 on THE.Hosting

What's included:

1. One IPv6 address free on every VPS
2. Option to order /64 subnet (18 quintillion addresses)
3. Dual-Stack by default
4. Automatic setup on OS installation
5. Support in control panels

How to activate:

1. IPv6 enabled by default when ordering VPS
2. Address shown in control panel
3. Configure DNS AAAA record for your domain
4. Ready!

Ready for the Future Internet?

All our VPS support IPv6 out of the box. Dual-stack configured automatically, additional addresses on request.

Order VPS with IPv6

FAQ

Can I use only IPv6 without IPv4?

Technically yes, but not recommended. Many users don't have IPv6 yet.

Is my site compatible with IPv6?

If site runs on modern software (Nginx, Apache, PHP 7+), then yes. Just need to add AAAA record in DNS.

How to check if IPv6 works on my VPS?

Command ping6 google.com—if it pings, IPv6 works.

Will my IPv4 address work after enabling IPv6?

Yes, Dual-Stack means both protocols work in parallel. IPv4 isn't going anywhere.