Internet Protocol (IP) v6 addresses are written out in which format?

A. 4 groups of 16 bits
B. 6 groups of 32 bits
C. 8 groups of 16 bits
D. 8 groups of 12 bits

Answer :

IPv6 addresses are written out in a specific format to accommodate the larger address space compared to IPv4. Let's understand the format:

1. IPv6 Address Structure: An IPv6 address is 128 bits long. It is divided into groups to make it easier to read and use.

2. Groups of the IPv6 Address: This 128-bit address is divided into 8 groups. Each group consists of 16 bits.

3. Representation: These groups are typically represented as hexadecimal values, separated by colons. Each group is 4 hexadecimal digits long because each hexadecimal digit represents 4 bits.

Given these details, the correct format for writing out an IPv6 address is "8 groups of 16 bits."

So, among the options provided:

- 4 groups of 16 bits: This would only account for 64 bits in total, which is not sufficient for an IPv6 address.
- 6 groups of 32 bits: This totals 192 bits, which is more than the length of an IPv6 address.
- 8 groups of 12 bits: This only provides 96 bits, which is still not enough for an IPv6 address.
- 8 groups of 16 bits: This correctly sums to 128 bits, which matches the length of an IPv6 address.

Therefore, the correct format for IPv6 addresses is "8 groups of 16 bits."