IPv6 is the next Internet Protocol standard, desgined to replace the current one (IPv4). IPv6 includes features not found in IPv4, including:
Read on for more details!
The best starting point for IPv6 and 6bone information that I've seen is IP Next Generation (IPng).
You may also want to check out NASA's IPv6 at the NAS.
Kevin Rae has put his thesis - " Digital Audio & IPv6 " - on the Web. It's got a nice side-by-side comparison of IPv4 and IPv6, and an introduction to IPv6 QoS fields.
There are (at my count) 55 RFCs dealing with IPv6 out there, including pre-IPv6 proposals like CATNIP and TUBA. Some of the more relevant RFCs include:
There are also many internet drafts. These change rapidly, but as of 3/1/97 here's a list of some useful ones:
This books section is pretty weak right now, and could bear with some improvement. However, here's a few pointers to get you started:
A classic book on TCP/IP, the 3rd edition has an introductory section about IPv6.
Another classic, this one focuses more on the overall aspect of data communications. Although I don't yet have a copy myself, at 816 pages it promises lots of content.
Another one I don't have a copy of, this book is written by the then-chair of the IAB.
The 6bone is an Internet-wide IPv6-over-IPv4 encapsulation project.
For more 6bone info, check the 6bone home page.
There's also a 6bone mailing list - see IPv6 - 6bone Mailing List.