How to Configure IPv6 on Your VPS

When I first started using a VPS (Virtual Private Server), I only paid attention to IPv4. That’s the old-school internet address format — you know, the kind with numbers like 192.168.1.1. But not long after, I realized something was missing. Many VPS providers today also support IPv6, and using it can help your server stay future-ready, faster, and more flexible.

In this article, I’ll show you how to set up IPv6 on your VPS in a way that’s simple, clear, and not filled with confusing words. I’ll also explain what IPv6 is, why it matters, and how to avoid common mistakes. If you’re new to this, don’t worry. I was in your shoes once, and I’ll walk you through everything step by step.

What Is IPv6?

Before we dive into the setup, let’s talk about what IPv6 means.

IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol version 6. It’s the new format for IP addresses — the label that every device on the internet needs to send and receive data. Think of it like your home address, but for the internet.

IPv4 looks like this:
192.0.2.1

IPv6 looks more like this:
2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334

That might look long and scary, but it’s just a different way of writing addresses. IPv4 only allows about 4 billion unique addresses, and we’re running out. IPv6 fixes that by offering more addresses than we could ever use.

Why Use IPv6?

So, why should you bother setting up IPv6 on your VPS?

Here are a few good reasons:

• More available addresses – great if you run a lot of servers or apps.
• Faster in some cases – some services prefer IPv6, especially in modern countries or mobile networks.
• Future-ready – the internet is slowly moving to IPv6. Learning now keeps you ahead.

Also, some services and visitors may only be reachable through IPv6. If your server doesn’t have it, you could miss out.

Things You’ll Need

Before starting, make sure you have:

• A VPS that supports IPv6 (check with your hosting provider).
• Root access to your server (this lets you make changes).
• Some basic command-line knowledge (don’t worry, I’ll explain each command).

I’ll use Ubuntu as the example OS here, but I’ll mention other systems too.

Step-by-Step: How I Set Up IPv6 on My VPS

Let me take you through the same steps I used to set up IPv6. I’ve done this on multiple VPSs — some from big-name hosts, others from cheaper, lesser-known ones. The process is usually similar.

Step 1: Get Your IPv6 Address

Most providers will give you an IPv6 address when you create your VPS. You can usually find it in your control panel.

Here’s what you’re looking for:

• Your full IPv6 address (example: 2001:db8::1234)
• Your prefix length (often /64)
• Your gateway (needed for network routes)

If you can’t find these, ask your host’s support. They’ll usually reply with the info you need.

Step 2: Add IPv6 to Your Network Settings

This part depends on what operating system you use. Here’s how I did it on Ubuntu.

Edit the network config file:

sudo nano /etc/netplan/01-netcfg.yaml

You’ll see something like this:

network:
  version: 2
  ethernets:
    eth0:
      dhcp4: yes
      addresses:
        - 2001:db8::1234/64
      gateway6: 2001:db8::1
      nameservers:
        addresses:
          - 2001:4860:4860::8888
          - 2001:4860:4860::8844

Make sure to replace the addresses with your real IPv6 details.

After editing, apply the changes:

sudo netplan apply

On CentOS or AlmaLinux, you’d edit the ifcfg-eth0 file in /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ and add similar IPv6 settings.

Step 3: Check If It Works

You can now test if IPv6 is working.

Run this:

ping6 google.com

If you see responses, you’re connected.

Another test:

curl -6 https://icanhazip.com

This should return your IPv6 address.

If it doesn’t work, go back and double-check your settings, especially the address and gateway.

Common Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)

When I first tried setting up IPv6, I messed up a few times. Here are mistakes I learned from:

• Wrong netmask/prefix – using /128 instead of /64 made the internet unreachable.
• Forgetting the gateway – without it, traffic had nowhere to go.
• DNS issues – I forgot to add IPv6-friendly DNS servers.

Don’t feel bad if things break the first time. That’s how we learn.

Bonus Tips That Helped Me

IPv6 has a few tricks that make it different from IPv4. Here are a few I use:

• You can have multiple IPs on the same interface.
• You can use link-local addresses (they start with fe80::) to ping other machines on the same network, even without internet.
• Many firewalls block IPv6 by default — don’t forget to allow traffic.

Here are a few common IPv6 DNS servers you can use:

• 2001:4860:4860::8888 (Google)
• 2606:4700:4700::1111 (Cloudflare)
• 2620:119:35::35 (OpenDNS)

Firewalls: Don’t Forget This

When I first set things up, I could ping out, but nobody could ping me. The reason? My firewall.

If you use UFW on Ubuntu, run this:

sudo ufw allow from any to any proto ipv6

If you use iptables, you’ll also want to use ip6tables for IPv6.

Just remember: IPv6 has its own set of rules. Opening ports for IPv4 won’t help IPv6 traffic unless you allow both.

Is IPv6 Better Than IPv4?

Good question. In some ways, yes. In other ways, not yet.

Here’s how I compare them:

Some websites and apps still depend on IPv4. That’s why I use both IPv4 and IPv6 together. That way, no matter what, my server stays reachable.

What Happens If You Don’t Use IPv6?

Well, for now, maybe not much. Your VPS will still work just fine with IPv4. But here’s what might happen over time:

• Some mobile users may reach your site slower.
• You might miss traffic from IPv6-only places.
• You’ll be behind on internet tech — and updates could become trickier.

I look at it like switching to LED lights. The old bulbs still work, but the new ones are better for the long run.

Final Thoughts

Setting up IPv6 on your VPS might sound scary, but it’s not hard if you take it one step at a time. I didn’t know much about it when I started, but after trying it a few times, it just became part of my normal setup.

If you’re working on a project, running a server for your website, or just curious, I really recommend giving IPv6 a shot. The internet is changing, and this is one of the changes worth learning.

Let me ask: have you tried IPv6 yet? What stopped you? If something didn’t work, maybe I can help you troubleshoot it.

Just remember: start small, test often, and don’t be afraid to look up the details when something’s not clear.