IPv6 and Internet Access

The nsswitch.conf file controls search criteria for IPv6 addresses. IPv6 increases the IP address size from 32 bits to 128 bits to support more levels of addressing hierarchy and provide a greater number of addressable nodes. For more information about IPv6, its configuration and implementation, see "Overview of IPv6" in System Administration Guide, Volume 3 and "Transitioning From IPv4 to IPv6" in System Administration Guide, Volume 3.

Use the new ipnodes source for IPv6 addresses. The /etc/inet/ipnodes file stores both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. The /etc/inet/ipnodes file uses the same format convention as the /etc/hosts file.

IPv6 aware name services use the new ipnodes source for its search forwarding. For instance, if LDAP is aware of IPv6 addresses specify:

ipnodes: ldap [NOTFOUND=return] files

ipnodes defaults to files. During the transition from IPv4 to IPv6, where all name services are not aware of IPv6 addresses, accept the files default. Otherwise, unnecessary delays (such as boot timing delays) might result during the resolution of addresses.

An application searches all ipnodes databases for IPv4 addresses before searching for IPv4 addresses in the hosts databases. Before specifying ipnodes, consider the inherent delay of searching both databases for IPv4 addresses.