On Mon, 27 Sep 1999, Matthew Vanecek wrote:
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> > Different people play with this. To me it sounds ridiculous.
> >
> > IPv6 is invented exactly to avoid translation and cheating
> > in the manner of "expanded memory" only slows down the progress.
This sounds a lot like "Once everyone switches to ATM the compatibility
problems will go away. And without the distraction of other protocols the
ATM problems will be solved."
> Unfortunately, not everyone is going to benefit from IPv6 in such a way
> as to avoid NAT or masquerading. Just because a virtually unlimited
> supply of IP addresses exists doesn't mean ISPs are going to give them
> out for free or even for a very low cost--although it would be nice. So
> if I at my little network can only get one IP, I'd still need to NAT or
> masquerade to let my other computers access the Web. Either that or
> fart around with a proxy...
You understand! IP numbers are like oil, there is a bounded supply, but
we are far from running out. The rationing of both is driven by revenue
considerations, not an actual shortage. In both cases there are efficiency
benefits driven by the artificially high price, although it's painful to see
the unfair profit distribution.
IPv6 has no benefits for the average user. With IPv6, addresses are so
plentiful that everyone can have an address for each toaster coil and
refridgerator magnet. But your ISP is still going to want to charge you for
each one.
And getting rid of IPv4 won't happen for at least two decades. Some of the
hardware being built today, such as network printers, will still be in use
then. I can't even imagine switching over half the users to IPv6 in less
than five years, although (much like ATM) it might exist transparently as a
transport layer.
Donald Becker [EMAIL PROTECTED]
USRA-CESDIS, Center of Excellence in Space Data and Information Sciences.
Code 930.5, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD. 20771
301-286-0882 http://cesdis.gsfc.nasa.gov/people/becker/whoiam.html
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