9. Networking
9.1. Multiqueue Networking
Every data packet transferred over a network device represents processing which must be completed by a CPU. The low-level network implementation in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 allows network device drivers to divide network packet processing across multiple queues. Dividing these processes allows a system to better utilize the multiple processors and CPU cores present on modern systems.
9.2. Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)
The next-generation Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) specification is designed as the successor to Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4). IPv6 specifies a wide range of improvements over IPv4, including: expanded addressing capabilites, flow labeling and simplified header formats.
9.2.1. Optimistic Duplicate Address Detection
Duplicate Address Detection (DAD) is a feature of the Neighbor Discovery Protocol portion of IPv6. Specifically, DAD is tasked with checking if an IPv6 address is already being used. Red Hat Enterprise Linux features Optimistic Duplicate Address Detection, a speed optimization of DAD.
9.2.2. Intra-Site Automatic Tunnel Addressing Protocol
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 features support for the Intra-Site Automatic Tunnel Addressing Protocol (ISATAP). ISATAP is a protocol designed to assist in the transition from IPv4 to IPv6, by providing a mechanism to connect IPv6 routers and hosts over IPv4 network infrastructure.
9.3. Netlabel
Netlabel is a new kernel-level feature in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 that provides network packet labeling services for Linux Security Modules (LSMs). Labeling data packets using netlabel allows an LSM to better enforce security requirements on incoming network packets.
9.4. Generic Receive Offload
The low-level network implementation in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 features Generic Receive Offload (GRO) support. The GRO system increases the performance of inbound network connections by reducing the amount of processing done by the CPU. GRO implements the same technique as the Large Receive Offload (LRO) system, but can be applied to a wider range of transport layer protocols.
9.5. Wireless Support
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 contains enhanced support for wireless networking and devices. Support for the wireless local area networking using the IEEE 802.11 set of standards has been improved, with added support for 802.11n based wireless networking.
