Quickly locate how Linux decides where IPv6 packets go and verify the next hop on the command line. 22.12.2025 | reading time: 3 min Who sends your packets to the right corner of the IPv6 Internet? On Linux the `ip` tool answers that question; the goal here is to show how to read the IPv6 routing table and verify the next hop so he can fix or confirm routing behavior quickly. Find the active route Run `ip -6 route show` to list routes, and `ip -6 route get` to ask how the kernel would reach a specific address; a short demo follows. ```bash $ ip -6 route show default via fe80::1 dev eth0 proto ra metric 100 pref medium 2001:db8:1::/64 dev eth0 proto kernel metric 256 pref medium 2001:db8:2::/64 via fe80::2 dev eth1 proto static metric 100 ``` Now test a destination: ```bash $ ip -6 route get 2001:db8:2::1 2001:db8:2::1 via fe80::2 dev eth1 src 2001:db8:2::100 uid 1000 cache ``` From this he sees the chosen outgoing device, the source address, and the link-local next hop. Deeper route details Look beyond the basics: check route tables with `ip -6 route show table <name>` and inspect policy rules with `ip -6 rule show` to understand source-based routing; note fields like `proto`, `metric`, `scope`, `pref` and `table` because they control preference and selection; when the next hop is a link-local address the kernel also needs the outgoing device, so the `dev` column matters. Companion tools For troubleshooting pair route inspection with neighbor resolution and packet traces: `ip -6 neigh` shows next-hop MACs, `tcpdump -n ip6` captures traffic to verify path, and `traceroute6` (or `tracepath -6`) reveals hops; also check Router Advertisements (with `rdisc6` or by inspecting RA daemon logs) when default routes come from the local network. What's next Knowing how to read the routing table gets him to the problem quickly, but routing issues can hide in policy rules or neighbor resolution; practice crafting scenarios, then manipulate a test route with `ip -6 route add` and watch behavior change. Keep exploring IPv6, and consider deepening knowledge for certifications like CompTIA Linux+ or LPIC-1 with intensive exam preparation at bitsandbytes.academy. Join Bits & Bytes Academy First class LINUX exam preparation. network troubleshooting utilities infrastructure
