IPv6 has only one compelling advantage over IPv4: larger address space. It is marginally useful to have a 24 bit flow ID, and it is esthetically pleasing to have extension headers. All of the other "advantages" don't exist. All the other additional functionality has been ported to IPv4a (e.g. IPSec). There are also a couple of compelling disadvantages:
1. new code=new bugs. The IP stacks of most devices have been pretty well shaken out, so we will have to go through some pain getting the new bugs found and fixed.
2. More overhead. For most applications, this isn't a problem, but for some, it is. In most cases, it either doesn't matter, or header compression can be used to solve the problem.
The abortive attempt to switch to ISO networking protocols has made cynics of much of the networking world. However, it will eventually happen, if only because Asia has to migrate due to the lack of IP addresses available to them. Keith Moore's comments, referenced in another post, are all true, but the time where we are going to need so many devices is still in the future.
These are laptops used by 3rd graders. They are not likely to be serving disk space to windows machines for them to store their email on over the wireless connection. While I'll gladly admit that it COULD happen, it's not likely and it's definitely not a good idea. I believe that there is a quote by Madonna involving flying monkeys that describes how "realist"ic this scenario is:-)
You can buy fully functional laptops with Gentoo installed from http://www.rayservers.com/
IPv6 has only one compelling advantage over IPv4: larger address space. It is marginally useful to have a 24 bit flow ID, and it is esthetically pleasing to have extension headers. All of the other "advantages" don't exist. All the other additional functionality has been ported to IPv4a (e.g. IPSec). There are also a couple of compelling disadvantages: 1. new code=new bugs. The IP stacks of most devices have been pretty well shaken out, so we will have to go through some pain getting the new bugs found and fixed. 2. More overhead. For most applications, this isn't a problem, but for some, it is. In most cases, it either doesn't matter, or header compression can be used to solve the problem. The abortive attempt to switch to ISO networking protocols has made cynics of much of the networking world. However, it will eventually happen, if only because Asia has to migrate due to the lack of IP addresses available to them. Keith Moore's comments, referenced in another post, are all true, but the time where we are going to need so many devices is still in the future.
These are laptops used by 3rd graders. They are not likely to be serving disk space to windows machines for them to store their email on over the wireless connection. While I'll gladly admit that it COULD happen, it's not likely and it's definitely not a good idea. I believe that there is a quote by Madonna involving flying monkeys that describes how "realist"ic this scenario is:-)
With Linux on the laptops, what is the point of the "robust virus scanning"?
So what is the system like? What was it written in? What does it run on?