IPv6 Address Scope

Unicast and multicast IPv6 addresses support feature called address scoping that identifies the application suitable for the address.

Unicast addresses support global address scope and two types of local address scope:

• Link-local unicast addresses—Used only on a single network link. The first 10 bits of the prefix identify the address as a link-local address. Link-local addresses cannot be used outside the link.
• Site-local unicast addresses—Used only within a site or intranet. A site consists of multiple network links. Site-local addresses identify nodes inside the intranet and cannot be used outside the site.

Multicast addresses support 16 different types of address scope, including node, link, site, organization, and global scope. A 4-bit field in the prefix identifies the address scope.

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