An IPv6-enabled interface can perform DHCPv6 operations. The interface runs either as a client or a server.
As a DHCPv6 client, the interface can request (from a DHCPv6 server) delegation of long-lived prefixes across an administrative boundary. The server does not have to know the topology of targeted local network. For example, an ISP can use DHCPv6 to assign prefixes to downstream networks via downstream DHCP clients. In addition, the interface can request (from a DHCPv6 server) the IP addresses of available DNS servers. The interface can also request DNS search-list information. This list contains partial domain names, which assist DNS searches by concatenating entered usernames to the domain names.
As a DHCPv6 server, the interface can provide all of these services to a downstream DHCPv6 client.