How many bits are there in a hextet?

A hextet consists of 16 bits. This term is particularly relevant in the context of IPv6 addressing, where an IPv6 address is composed of eight groups of four hexadecimal digits, separated by colons. Each group of hexadecimal digits (or "quartet") represents 16 bits of binary data, as each hexadecimal digit corresponds to 4 bits. Thus, when considering a hextet, it refers specifically to one of these groups, which is indeed 16 bits.

Understanding this concept is crucial for networking professionals working with IPv6, as it helps in comprehending address structure and subnetting within the IPv6 address space.