Re: [DNA] Seeking WG input on Non-prefix link identifiers

[Brett Pentland <brett.pentland@eng.monash.edu.au>]

I don't think they are necessary.  If there's no global prefix
available to use for identification, then it seems that one ought
to be able to generate a ULA prefix just for identification purposes.

There might be a problem with links with no routers.  Thinking on
the fly now... What about non-router devices being able to perform
the DNA functions of a router?  They might respond to RSs with an RA
with the M and O flags both set to zero, the router lifetime set to
zero, and a PIO with a ULA prefix and both the L and A flags set to
zero.  Would that cause any configuration problems?  The zero lifetime
would prevent hosts from putting the device in their default routers
list.  L=0 would not cause hosts to think the prefix is "on-link".
A=0 would prevent hosts from trying to generate addresses from the
prefix.  Any other show stoppers?

Having non-prefix identifiers might make it possible to carry the
identifier in some layer 2 field as an optimization, and that might
be useful, but it would be specific to that l2 and so I'm not sure
that it's such a great idea.

Brett.

Suresh Krishnan wrote:
> Hi Folks,
>   Non-prefix link identifiers have a big effect on the DNA solution.
> 
> - A protocol for agreeing on non-prefix link identifiers needs
>   to be specified.
> 
> - Additional options are required for transport
>   (prefix linkids only require a flag).
> 
> - Precedence between identifier types needs to be established.
> 
> It's possible to undertake this work either now in the base draft,
> or as an extension if required.
> 
> Further development of the current solution draft requires
> determination of which path to take.
> 
> We'd like to make a consensus call starting
> 00:00 UTC Monday 17 October 2005
> 
> and ending
> 00:00 UTC Monday 31 October 2005
> 
> On the topic:
> 
> Should the working group develop non-prefix link identifiers as
> part of the base DNA solution protocol?
> 
> Regards
> Greg and Suresh