Experiences with IPv6 and Routing Efficiency

Sun Jan 19 07:58:12 UTC 2014

> Was just trying to get more info from large networks about whether how some
> of the things that make theoretical logical sense actually work out in
> practice that way e.g. whether fixed header size and the fewer headers
> required to decode to read an IPv6 packet (with respect to IPv4) really may
> provide some signifiant performance advantages.

So far, all indications are that the fixed header size means nothing,
in terms of speed, but the *extension* headers are a significant
complication and source of problems.

Some of the other claims (e.g. more secure because IPsec is always
available) are simply wrong - there is plenty of IPv6 equipment that
doesn't offer IPsec.

Steinar Haug, Nethelp consulting, sthaug at nethelp.no