RFC 2491 (rfc2491) - Page 1 of 44

IPv6 over Non-Broadcast Multiple Access (NBMA) networks

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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
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