Systems, methods and computer storage media for utilizing IPv6 addressing for globally unique identification of network endpoints when communications from or to an IPv4 compatible application. An IPv4 packet of data that is from and/or directed to an IPv4 endpoint is encapsulated in an IPv6 packet of data. An IPv6 compatible address is identified for a destination of the IPv6 packet of data. The IPv6 address is a globally unique identifier that is comprised of an IPv4 identifier that represents an IPv4 address of the encapsulated IPv4 packet. The IPv6 packet of data is communicated to the destination identified by the IPv6 address. A 4 to 6 stack may intercept the incoming IPv6 packet of data before the destination to strip the IPv6 header information revealing the IPv4 packet of data.