Lab 17: IPv6 Addressing and Static Routing
Your first end-to-end IPv6 network: address LANs with 2001:db8:: prefixes, enable IPv6 routing, add static routes both ways and ping across. Difficulty: Intermediate · Time: ~35 min.
Lab objectives
- Enable ipv6 unicast-routing
- Address interfaces with global unicast /64s
- Write IPv6 static routes in both directions
- Verify with show ipv6 route and ping
Topology & addressing
R1 LAN 2001:db8:1::/64 (Gi0/0 = ::1), R2 LAN 2001:db8:2::/64 (Gi0/0 = ::1), link between them 2001:db8:12::/64 (R1=::1, R2=::2). One PC per LAN (static IPv6, gateway = router ::1).
Step-by-step configuration
Both routers: ipv6 unicast-routing | IPv6 forwarding is OFF by default — this is the classic forgotten step |
interface gi0/0ipv6 address 2001:db8:1::1/64 | Note link-local FE80:: auto-appears alongside |
R1: ipv6 route 2001:db8:2::/64 2001:db8:12::2R2: ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::/64 2001:db8:12::1 | Static routes, both directions — same rule as IPv4 |
Verification
show ipv6 interface brief — each interface shows its global AND link-local address. show ipv6 route — S entries present. PC→PC ping 2001:db8:2::10 succeeds. Forget unicast-routing and watch everything fail — lesson learned once, remembered forever.
Next lab: labs hub · test yourself: CCNA practice test.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my interface show two IPv6 addresses?
Every IPv6 interface auto-generates a link-local (FE80::/10) address in addition to the global one you configure — both are normal and used.
What is ipv6 unicast-routing?
The global switch that turns a router into an IPv6 router — without it, interfaces hold addresses but the device won't forward IPv6.
Do IPv6 static routes differ from IPv4?
Same logic — destination prefix + next hop — just IPv6 syntax: ipv6 route
Related articles
Want hands-on training?
Learn this on real Cisco lab devices with placement support at Attila Technologies, Ahmedabad.