does AIS firewall supports IPV6? I actually couldn't care less as as far as I know, there aren't many web sites supporting it, but the thing is that Win7 has to use it at LAN level to support homegroup connections. I already noticed that switching this firewall from home to work or public doesn't change anything on a homegroup network on Win7, all computers remain available and accessible whatever the mode is. At the opposite Win 7 native firewall does support IPV6 protection, and unrelated here, when switched to public mode, disables homegroups automatically.
Also, W7 leaves the opportunity to third party firewall developers to use an API call in the setup disabling in Windows firewall what this third party firewall can do, and leaving all the rest active. No idea if Avast does that. If yes, this would mean that it's better to leave Windows firewall on. The only thing that still works in Seven, as opposed to Vista or XP when you disable the firewall, is IPsec, but not IPV6 protection.
Any comment, especially from Lukor, appreciated.
reference:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc755158%28WS.10%29.aspxIn Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7, Windows Firewall with Advanced Security enables more specific disabling of its features through published application program interface (API) calls. When a third-party firewall program is installed, the installer can disable only those portions of Windows Firewall with Advanced Security that conflict with the services that are provided by the third-party program. Other Windows Firewall with Advanced Security services are left enabled, and continue to help protect your computer.
...so again, does Avast do that automatically if Windows firewall is left running?
adding:the thing is that you're very unlikely to have homegroup computers near you when connecting to a public network, that homegroup connections are encrypted and passworded...meaning that protecting the IPV6 traffic there isn't a must be. Oh yeah, there's a controversy on many sites as to whether IPV6 is mandatory only at homegroup creation and joining time, or constantly in order for homegroups computers to communicate properly. I'll check that tomorrow by disabling IPV6 on two W7 systems here.