5. Algorithm Discussion
This discussion, as reported in the minutes, is a disappointment.
PEM is likely to be the first real user of EDE as other than a simple
codebook and because PEM is (I hope) going to be very widespread, it will
have the power to influence hardware design. That hardware will, in turn,
influence how others define their use of triple-DES. Those others will
include link encryption applications where performance is a serious
concern.
It behooves PEM, therefore, not to write off the performance argument just
because current implementations *of PEM* might not see enough of a
difference to annoy people if the under-performing option is chosen.
Meanwhile, the claim that software won't see a performance difference is
not true, for at least the DES software on Stratus systems. Did those
who made that claim present numbers from experiments showing the difference?
- <<Disclaimer: All opinions expressed are my own, of course.>>
- Carl Ellison
cme(_at_)sw(_dot_)stratus(_dot_)com
- Stratus Computer Inc. M3-2-BKW TEL: (508)460-2783
- 55 Fairbanks Boulevard ; Marlborough MA 01752-1298 FAX: (508)624-7488