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Knowledge Base document #573

Configuring IPv6 in the FRITZ!Box

The FRITZ!Box already supports the internet protocols IPv4 and IPv6 in the factory settings. If possible, the FRITZ!Box establishes a native IPv4 and a native IPv6 internet connection, for example using Dual Stack. Only if the internet service provider no longer allows IPv4 internet connections, the FRITZ!Box will only establish an IPv6 internet connection, for example using Dual-Stack Lite (DS-Lite).

Normally manual adjustment of the IPv6 settings is only necessary if the IPv6 internet connection could not be set up automatically, IPv6 is used with a tunnel protocol on an IPv4 internet connection, or a special configuration is to be implemented.

Observe the following information on the different IPv6 connections and proceed as described in the subsequent measures.

Important:The configuration instructions in this guide only apply to FRITZ!Box Cable devices that are commercially available. FRITZ!Box models that are purchased from cable providers are automatically configured by the cable provider. IPv6 settings may not be displayed then. In this case, contact your provider.

1 IPv6 connection options of the FRITZ!Box

In the FRITZ!Box, you can configure native IPv4 and IPv6 internet connections or an IPv6 connection over a tunnel protocol. The following settings are available:

Using a native IPv4 connection

The FRITZ!Box establishes a native IPv4 connection first. In addition it establishes:

  • a 6RD tunnel for IPv6, if the internet provider announces the IPv4 address of a 6RD gateway via DHCPv4,
  • otherwise a native IPv6 connection (Dual Stack)

If neither a 6RD tunnel nor a native IPv6 connection is established, no IPv6 connection is established.

This setting makes sense if the line supports IPv4 and it is not known which IPv6 settings the internet service provider expects.

Using a native IPv6 connection

The FRITZ!Box establishes a native IPv6 connection first. It also establishes an IPv4 connection via DS-Lite, if the 'Establish IPv4 connection via DS-Lite' option is enabled and the internet service provider announces an AFTR address via DHCPv6 or an AFTR was entered manually.

If no native IPv6 connection is possible, the FRITZ!Box establishes a native IPv4 connection.

This setting makes sense if the connection supports native IPv6 and IPv4 via DS-Lite.

Using only IPv6

The FRITZ!Box establishes only a native IPv6 connection – and no IPv4 connection.

This setting makes sense if you have a pure IPv6 connection and the internet service provider makes suitable translation procedures for IPv4 destinations available (for example NAT64, DNS64 or 464XLAT).

Using IPv6 with a tunnel protocol

The FRITZ!Box establishes a native IPv4 connection and also builds an IPv6 tunnel: The FRITZ!Box packs IPv6 packets in IPv4 packets and sends them via IPv4 to a gateway that unpacks the IPv6 data and routes them on into the IPv6 internet.

Supported tunnel protocols:

  • 6to4: In 6to4 the IPv4 address is rendered on an IPv6 address space according to a fixed mechanism. This means that every change to the IPv4 address also changes the IPv6 address space of the FRITZ!Box. 6to4 can be used on all IPv4 connections – It is not necessary to register with a service provider.
  • 6RD: 6RD is based on 6to4, but always uses the same gateway. 6RD can only be used if the IPv4 internet service provider offers a 6RD gateway.
  • 6in4 For 6in4 the gateway must always be set up manually. 6in4 can only be used if the IPv4 internet service provider offers a 6in4 gateway.

This setting makes sense if the internet provider does not support IPv6 on the line.

2 Setting up an IPv6 connection in the FRITZ!Box

  1. Click on 'Internet' in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click on 'Type of Connection' or 'Account Information' in the 'Internet' menu.
  3. Click on the 'IPv6' tab. If the tab is not displayed, then IPv6 was already automatically enabled for the IPv6 internet connection with DS-Lite. In this case you do not need to adjust the IPv6 connection.
  4. Enable the 'IPv6 support enabled' option. If IPv6 support is already enabled, IPv6 is already enabled. In this case you do not need to adjust the IPv6 settings.
  5. Configure the IPv6 internet connection according to the instructions of your internet service provider. If you do not know which IPv6 settings are required for your internet service provider, enable the 'Use native IPv4 connection' option.
  6. Click on 'Apply' to save the settings.

3 Adjusting the IPv6 settings for the home network

  1. Click on 'Home Network' in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click on 'Network' in the 'Home Network' menu.
  3. Click on the 'Network Settings' tab.
  4. Click on 'Additional Settings' in the 'LAN Settings' section to display all of the settings.
  5. Click on the 'IPv6 Settings' button.
  6. Enable the 'Assign unique local addresses (ULA) as long as no IPv6 connection exists (recommended)' option.
  7. Enable the 'Enable DHCPv6 server in the FRITZ!Box for the home network' and 'Only assign DNS server' options.
  8. Click on 'Apply' to save the settings and on the FRITZ!Box, confirm that the procedure may be executed, if you are asked to do so.

4 Configuring IPv6 in the network device

IPv6 is enabled by default in Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and other modern operating systems; it is used parallel to IPv4 and preferred by modern devices. We recommend the following settings for IPv6 communication with the FRITZ!Box:

Windows 11

  1. Click on (Start) and then (Settings) in the Windows taskbar.
  2. Click on 'Network & Internet' in the 'Settings' menu.
  3. Click on 'Advanced network settings'.
  4. Click on 'More network adapter options' in the 'Related settings' section.
  5. Right-click on the network adapter that connects the computer to the FRITZ!Box.
  6. Click on 'Properties'.
  7. Select 'Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)'.
  8. Click on 'Properties'.
  9. Enable the 'Obtain an IPv6 address automatically' and 'Obtain DNS server address automatically' options.
  10. Click on 'OK' to save the settings.

Windows 10

  1. Click on (Start) and then (Settings) in the Windows taskbar.
  2. Click on 'Network & Internet' in the 'Settings' menu.
  3. Click on 'Change adapter options' in the 'Change your networking settings' section.
  4. Click on the arrow next to the (Change view) button in the menu bar and select 'Details'.
  5. Right-click on the LAN or Wi-Fi connection that lists the network adapter that connects the computer to the FRITZ!Box under 'Device Name'.
  6. Click on 'Properties'.
  7. Select 'Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)'.
  8. Click on 'Properties'.
  9. Enable the 'Obtain an IPv6 address automatically' and 'Obtain DNS server address automatically' options.
  10. Click on 'OK' to save the settings.

macOS

  1. Open the 'System Preferences' in the Apple menu.
  2. Click on 'Network' in the 'System Preferences' menu.
  3. If the computer is connected to the FRITZ!Box via Wi-Fi, select 'Wi-Fi' in the left-hand window.
    • If the computer is connected to the FRITZ!Box using a network cable, select 'Built-in Ethernet' in the left-hand window.
  4. Click on 'Advanced'.
  5. Switch to the 'TCP/IP settings' page and select 'Using DHCP:' from the 'Configure IPv4:' drop-down list. Select 'Automatically' from the 'Configure IPv6' drop-down list.
  6. Click on 'OK' to save the settings.

Linux and other devices (for example NAS systems)

  1. Configure the device to automatically obtain an IPv6 address and a DNSv6 server via SLAAC und DHCPv6. Refer to the manufacturer for information on how to set it up, for example consult the manual.
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