Hi! Assuming your carrier provides you with Internet connectivity via IPv6 protocol. Consequently, you will need to use IPv6-enabled DNS servers to be able to browse the Internet and resolve the different Internet domains. The DNS protocol is one of the most important protocols on the Internet. Indeed, thanks to it we will be able to browse through domains. This without needing to know IPv6 addresses to access different web pages. In addition, if your operator provides you with an Internet address with native IPv6, you will have to use specific IPv6 DNS. In fact, you will not be able to use the typical ones provided by Google (8.8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1.1), but you will have to use those dedicated to IPv6 networks.
Why do we need IPv6 DNS?
We are currently living in an era of transition from IPv4 to IPv6 protocol. This is because conventional IP addresses are now completely exhausted. As we have connected more and more devices to the Internet, we have run out of public IP addresses. This is vital for the different Internet services and ourselves to be able to access the Internet.
Over time, technologies have been developed to attempt to mitigate the accelerated depletion of public IPv4 addresses. One example is use NAT to exit to the Internet from several clients through the same public IP, using the different TCP and UDP ports. More aggressive techniques such as CG-NAT have also been used. There our public IP address is shared with other clients of the same operator, and where we cannot do the typical port forwarding. Therefore, we will not be able to host at home any kind of FTP server, VPN or any other service that requires port forwarding, such as online games.
IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are incompatible with each other. However, there are currently several methods of transition. On the other hand, if your operator provides you with a public IPv6 address, you will have to use DNS servers with IPv6 addresses. Logically, this is the only way to resolve domains that are also IPv6. Otherwise, you will not be able to surf the Internet correctly.
Next, we are going to recommend a list of DNS servers that work directly in IPv6. This way, you will be able to surf the Internet with IPv6 addressing correctly and without problems.
IPv6 DNS Servers
Currently, we have several providers of DNS servers with IPv6 protocol. Certainly, our operator should provide us with DNS with this network protocol. However, you may be interested in using the popular Google DNS, Cloudflare DNS or OpenDNS among many others. Below is a complete list of the main DNS servers for fast browsing.
Google DNS are the most used worldwide for their speed in resolving domains. In addition, they are the ones that offer the best results to most users. An essential detail is that Google has data centers all over the world. They also use anycast IP addresses to reach those geographically closest to them, even though we always use the same IP addresses for everyone. Google’s DNS servers with IPv6 are as follows:
- 2001:4860:4860::8888
- 2001:4860:4860::8844
As you can see, the termination of these DNS is a wink to the popular 8.8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.4 that are available for IPv4 addressing. Finally, you should know that these Google DNS support both DNS over HTTPS and DNS over TLS.
Cloudflare
Cloudflare’s DNS are widely used worldwide. Cloudfare is a large Internet company that provides CDN services worldwide. It also offers services to mitigate DoS and DDoS attacks quickly and efficiently. If you have been using your carrier’s or Google’s DNS all your life, we recommend giving Cloudflare’s DNS servers a try. It also has WARP, which is the company’s free VPN service, with the aim of protecting our Internet connection. Cloudflare’s DNS servers with IPv6 are as follows:
- 2606:4700:4700::1111
- 2606:4700:4700::1001
If you want to use built-in malware filtering, you will need to use the following:
- 2606:4700:4700::1112
- 2606:4700:4700::1002
If you want to use malware filtering and block adult content, you will need to use the following:
- 2606:4700:4700::1113
- 2606:4700:4700::1003
Of course, these DNS servers also support both DNS over HTTPS and DNS over TLS. This way they provide encryption and authenticity to the servers, and prevent many DNS related attacks.
OpenDNS
OpenDNS is one of the world’s best-known DNS service providers. Before Google launched its DNS servers, OpenDNS servers were widely used for their speed and reliability. In addition, they can provide parental control filtering. Another critical feature of OpenDNS is the privacy it provides to its users. Indeed, they promise or collect information about the queries of different customers. In this case, the OpenDNS IPv6 DNS servers without any filtering are as follows:
- 2620:0:ccc::2
- 2620:0:ccd::2
If you want to use IPv6 DNS with filtering to protect your devices, you will need to use the following:
- 2620:119:35::35
- 2620:119:53::53
Quad9
Quad9 is another service widely used by users who want maximum privacy and security when surfing the Internet. A significant detail is that Quad9 can block DNS resolutions of malicious domains. Therefore, it will protect us against malware, phishing, and other Internet threats. This service also supports DOH and even DOT to provide security and confidentiality to DNS requests and their responses. Depending on the additional services we want, we have different DNS servers.
Malware blocking and DNSSEC validation, typical for most users:
- 2620:fe::fe
- 2620:fe::9
Malware blocking, DNSSEC validation and ECS enabled:
- 2620:fe::11
- 2620:fe::fe:11
No malware blocking, no DNSSEC validation, recommended for advanced users:
- 2620:fe::10
- 2620:fe::fe:10
As you can see, IPv6 addresses are available for the main DNS servers used worldwide. However, you should bear in mind that if your Internet operator provides you with connectivity with this protocol, it will also provide you with its own DNSv6 servers. Bye!
