RFC 5952, "A Recommendation for IPv6 Address Text Representation", August 2010

Errata ID: 6272
Status: Held for Document Update
Type: Technical
Publication Format(s) : TEXT
Reported By: Felipe Gasper
Date Reported: 2020-09-02
Held for Document Update by: Erik Kline
Date Held: 2025-09-04

Section 4.2.1 says:

The line

> The use of the symbol "::" MUST be used to its maximum capability.

… contradicts the next section, which states that single-0 fields are not reduced.

i.e., this:

> 2001:db8:0:1:1:1:1:1

… is longer than:

> 2001:db8::1:1:1:1:1

Thus, the standard does not, in all cases, require that "::" be used to its maximum capability.

It should say:

The first line of 4.2.1 should be amended to be consistent with section 4.2.2

> The use of the symbol "::" MUST be used to its maximum capability to reduce consecutive 16-bit 0 fields.

Notes:

--- ek@ ---

It's possible that swapping 4.2.2 and 4.2.1 would put the recommendations in an order where an exception doesn't follow the general rule and as such might be more orderly for some readers. Nevertheless, the intent remains clear.

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