RFC 2491 (rfc2491) - Page 1 of 44
IPv6 over Non-Broadcast Multiple Access (NBMA) networks
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group G. Armitage
Request for Comments: 2491 Lucent Technologies
Category: Standards Track P. Schulter
Bright Tiger Technologies
M. Jork
Digital Equipment GmbH
G. Harter
Compaq
January 1999
IPv6 over Non-Broadcast Multiple Access (NBMA) networks
Status of this Memo
This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1999). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
This document describes a general architecture for IPv6 over NBMA
networks. It forms the basis for subsidiary companion documents that
describe details for various specific NBMA technologies (such as ATM
or Frame Relay). The IPv6 over NBMA architecture allows conventional
host-side operation of the IPv6 Neighbor Discovery protocol, while
also supporting the establishment of 'shortcut' NBMA forwarding paths
when dynamically signaled NBMA links are available. Operations over
administratively configured Point to Point NBMA links are also
described.
Dynamic NBMA shortcuts are achieved through the use of IPv6 Neighbor
Discovery protocol operation within Logical Links, and inter-router
NHRP for the discovery of off-Link NBMA destinations. Both flow-
triggered and explicitly source-triggered shortcuts are supported.
1. Introduction.
Non Broadcast Multiple Access (NBMA) networks may be utilized in a
variety of ways. At one extreme, they can be used to simply provide
administratively configurable point to point service, sufficient to
interconnect IPv6 routers (and even IPv6 hosts, in certain
Armitage, et. al. Standards Track