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The problem is, we've basically lost L4. Too many networks (firewalls, and especially NATs) just don't pass anything but protocols 6 (TCP) and 17 (UDP). Even IC
by drdaeman 10y ago
The problem is, we've basically lost L4. Too many networks (firewalls, and especially NATs) just don't pass anything but protocols 6 (TCP) and 17 (UDP). Even ICMP is not always reliably available (leading to all sort of weird PMTU issues[1]), or heavily filtered.
I think that's why many good protocols (e.g. SCTP) are rare sights and frequently aren't even considered as an option.
[1] Yes, some idiots just block ICMP completely because they heard it's "secure" and make DHCP or PPP cap MTU at 1200 with "uh, it works just fine" attitude.
- panic 10y agoIt's too late for IPv4, but maybe a strong push could get a protocol like SCTP supported on IPv6 networks?
- wtbob 10y agoIIRC IPv6 requires ICMPv6 to work. I'd be in favour of SCTP support as well; dunno how it compares to QUIC for mobile devices though.
- drdaeman 10y agoGiven that IPv6 doesn't normally use NAT (and for IPv4, it's NAT, not firewalls, is the primary source of problems why non-TCP/UDP protocols don't work in practice) it's a possibility that it would be okay. IPv6 adoption is a problem, though. I think despite all IANA efforts to push v6, we'll be stuck with IPv4 for long years.