Internet Protocol Security (IPSEC): Testing and Implications on IPv4 and IPv6 Networks

摘要

The research study, Internet Protocol Security (IPSec): Testing and Implications on IPv4 and IPv6 Networks, was conducted at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) with the goal of developing, employing, testing, and analyzing the IPSec protocol over IPv4, IPv6, and IPv4/IPv6 networks. Specifically, the study focused on the IPSec algorithm and the implications for its use on IPv6 and IPv4/IPv6 networks. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has mandated the complete conversion from IPv4 to IPv6 by 2008. In an effort to undertake this conversion, the Department of Defense (DOD) has directed the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) to devise a roadmap for the conversion to IPv6. The most important reason for the conversion to IPv6 is the interest in improving network security: IPv6 mandates the use of Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) in the IPv6 stack. Though from cursory review, IPv6 (utilizing IPSec) appears to be more secure than IPv4, there are many considerations revealed in this study which render IPv6 security enhancements more complex to obtain than originally thought.