An IPv6 address, defined in RFC 4291, is a 128-bit address designed to replace IPv4’s 32-bit scheme, vastly expanding address space (2^128 vs. 2^32). Anoctetis 8 bits (1 byte). To calculate octets in IPv6:
Representation:
IPv6 is written as eight 16-bit hexadecimal blocks (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334), separated by colons.
Each block is 16 bits (2 bytes), so 8 blocks = 16 octets.
Contrast with IPv4 (e.g., 192.168.0.1), which has 4 octets (32 bits).
Technical Note:Your original input flagged this question’s phrasing as potentially misleading, suggesting "octets" is an IPv4 term, while IPv6 uses "16-bit groups" or "hextets." While technically accurate (RFC 4291 uses "16-bit blocks"), "octets" remains a common, if informal, term in security contexts for byte-wise analysis (e.g., packet crafting). CNSP might use "octets" to test byte-level understanding, though "groups" is more precise for IPv6. Here, 16 octets (128 bits) is correct either way.
Security Implications:IPv6’s larger address space complicates scanning (e.g., Nmap struggles with 2^128 possibilities) but introduces risks like misconfigured Neighbor Discovery Protocol (NDP). Understanding its structure aids in firewall rules and IDS signatures.
Why other options are incorrect:
B. 32:Implies 256 bits (32 × 8), far exceeding IPv6’s 128-bit design.
C. 64:Suggests 512 bits (64 × 8), unrelated to IPv6 or any IP standard.
D. 128:Misinterprets octets as bits; 128 bits = 16 octets, not 128 octets.
Real-World Context:IPv6 packet analysis (e.g., Wireshark) breaks addresses into 16 octets for raw data inspection.References:CNSP Official Documentation (IPv6 Networking); RFC 4291 (IP Version 6 Addressing Architecture).
