How Can I Effectively Store and Manage IPv6 Addresses in MySQL?

IPv6 Addresses in MySQL: Data Type and Function Considerations

The inherent inability of MySQL to natively store IPv6 addresses has prompted the question of an appropriate data type and function for this purpose. As a potential solution, BINARY(16) has been suggested, as it accommodates the 128-bit representation of an IPv6 address without converting it to a string.

However, currently, MySQL lacks the functionality to convert textual IPv6 addresses to binary and vice versa. To facilitate this conversion, one option is to implement it within the application or create a User-Defined Function (UDF) in MySQL.

UPDATE: MySQL 5.6.3 and Beyond

Subsequent to the initial query, MySQL 5.6.3 introduced support for IPv6 addresses, enabling the use of the INET6_ATON(expr) function. The recommended data type for IPv6 storage has also shifted to VARBINARY(16) to encompass both IPv6 and IPv4 addresses.

Alternative for Older MySQL Versions

For MySQL versions prior to 5.6.3, including MariaDB, the EXtending MYSQL 5 WITH IPV6 FUNCTIONS project provides an implementation to address the IPv6 functionality gap. This extension offers functions for converting between IPv6 textual and binary representations.

By investigating these options and considering the specific requirements, developers can effectively store and manage IPv6 addresses within MySQL databases.

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