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Address Scope

Some unicast and multicast IPv6 addresses contain a value known as scope. This value identifies the application suitable for the address.

Unicast addresses support two types of scope—global and local. In addition, there are two types of local scope—link-local addresses and site-local addresses.

Link-local unicast addresses, identified by the first ten bits of the prefix, function within a single network link. You cannot use link-local addresses outside a network link.

Site-local unicast addresses function within a site or an intranet. A site consists of multiple network links, and site-local addresses identify nodes inside the intranet. You cannot use site-local addresses outside the site.

Multicast addresses support 16 different types of scope, including node, link, site, organization, and global scope. A four-bit field in the prefix identifies the scope.

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