Understanding Stateless Address Auto Configuration (SLAAC)

Stateless Address Auto Configuration (SLAAC) allows devices to automatically generate their own IP addresses without relying on a centralized server. This method is especially beneficial for environments where numerous devices need to connect to a network without extensive configuration, such as IoT or operational technology networks. SLAAC provides hosts with some autonomy, allowing them to generate addresses based on the network prefix advertised by routers, thereby ensuring quick and straightforward connectivity. Although it has its advantages, SLAAC does not maintain a record of which device has which address, which can complicate resource management in larger deployments.