IPv6, 2nd Edition

Chapter 2 • What’s Wrong with IPv4? 25

Some supporters point to improved performance in IPv6 routers over

IPv4 routers due to differences in the way addresses and routes are

handled. In fact, this is probably one area where IPv6 will provide an

advantage—but this is still speculative inasmuch as no IPv6 network

has as many routes as are found in the Internet’s backbone networks.

Cost IPv6 supporters have suggested that IPv6 will reduce costs in var-

ious ways, including the reduced costs of administration, improved

security, better performance, and lower cost for actual registration

of IP addresses. Any savings would have to be balanced against the