[jfr]

You mentioned twice that IPv6 addresses aren't scalar in this discussion. Why?

Are you talking about the scope identifier or the flow label? The scope identifier is not used by the Network Layer, it is used to disambiguate between addresses in different Data Link Layer outputs by the operating system, but plays no role in routing after the packet leaves the network card. There is no field for it in the IPv6 packet.

The flow label is part of the IPv6 packet, but it is used for routing and quality of service, it is not used for addressing.

So, the IPv6 address is actually just a 128-bit scalar integer, that goes from 0 to 340282366920938463463374607431768211455, with different sub-ranges designated to different purposes.

[tptacek]

In very few languages people use today is there a 128 bit scalar integer type. You're right to point out that I'm being imprecise with my terms, but I think now you get what I'm saying.