Re:Why not just go to IPv*? (Score 1)

Plenty of reasons to have fixed length. The major reason that comes to mind is the lookup engine that has to be implemented in hardware on core internet routers. These beasts are not simply a fast CPU processing traffic. Might be possible on software only routers, but today's mid to high-end routing is largely based on switching routers. It's difficult enough to move from a 32bit length to a 128bit length in terms of forwarding lookup. CAM memory basically quadruples in width.