How Should I Store IPv6 Addresses in MySQL for Optimal Efficiency?

Storing IPv6-Compatible Addresses in a MySQL Database

In order to design IPv6-ready applications, it is crucial to consider the storage of IPv6 addresses and CIDR blocks within relational databases. Traditional methods of storing IPv4 addresses as INTs and mask lengths as TINYINTs become obsolete with the advent of 128-bit IPv6 addresses.

Storage Options

To effectively store IPv6-compatible addresses, several approaches can be evaluated:

• 2xBIGINT: Utilizing two UNSIGNED BIGINT columns provides a straightforward solution for storing the 128-bit IPv6 address in two 64-bit components.
• CHAR(16) for Binary Storage: Storing the IPv6 address as a binary string of 16 bytes utilizes the CHAR type. This approach preserves the original binary representation accurately.
• CHAR(39) for Text Storage: Representing the IPv6 address as a human-readable text string requires 39 characters in CHAR type storage. While this format is readable, it introduces additional overhead.
• 8xSMALLINT in a Dedicated Table: Splitting the IPv6 address into eight 16-bit segments and storing them in a dedicated table may offer some flexibility but complicates data access.

Recommendation

Given the limitations of MySQL's current IPv6 support, it is recommended to opt for the 2xBIGINT option. This approach strikes a balance between storage efficiency and effective address representation while adhering to MySQL's current capabilities.

The above is the detailed content of How Should I Store IPv6 Addresses in MySQL for Optimal Efficiency?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!