IPv6: Why not use /126 on P2P links for IPv6

ipv6

In IPv4 we use /30 to conserve addresses. So why do some people recommend using /64 on P2P links instead of /126? I get using a /64 on regular subnets but isn't using a /64 when there will only ever be two addresses in use on P2P links tremendous waste of addresses?

Best Answer

Many of us do use /126's on PTP links. I personally like being able to identify something as a network infrastructure PTP link just based on the first 64 bits of the address, so I reserve a /64 to pull the /126's from. Different people have different opinions on what's important, so...shrug

Incidentally (#1), because IPv6 doesn't have the concept of a broadcast address or a network address on an IP network, you could actually use /127's instead of /126's. Beware that, although /127's netmasks are perfectly valid, some vendor gear has (wrongly) not allowed them, considering /127's netmasks "invalid", which means you may run into some vendor support issues if you decide to try using them. This is why I use /126's.

Incidentally (#2), if your links are truly defined as PTP links, you should be able to use any IP addresses without them having to be in a common IP network at all.