RPL: IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy Networks

Abstract

Low-Power and Lossy Networks (LLNs) are a class of network in which both the routers and their interconnect are constrained. LLN routers typically operate with constraints on processing power, memory, and energy (battery power). Their interconnects are characterized by high loss rates, low data rates, and instability. LLNs are comprised of anything from a few dozen to thousands of routers. Supported traffic flows include point-to-point (between devices inside the LLN), point-to-multipoint (from a central control point to a subset of devices inside the LLN), and multipoint-to-point (from devices inside the LLN towards a central control point). This document specifies the IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy Networks (RPL), which provides a mechanism whereby multipoint-to-point traffic from devices inside the LLN towards a central control point as well as point-to-multipoint traffic from the central control point to the devices inside the LLN are supported. Support for point-to-point traffic is also available. Winter, et al. Standards Track [Page 1] RFC 6550 RPL March 2012 Status of This Memo This is an Internet Standards Track document. This document is a product of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). It represents the consensus of the IETF community. It has received public review and has been approved for publication by the Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG). Further information on Internet Standards is available in Section 2 of RFC 5741. Information about the current status of this document, any errata, and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained at http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6550.

Stateless multicast forwarding with RPL in 6LowPAN sensor networks

“…Trickle was originally designed for data dissemination and network reprogramming but has since then been adopted by multiple works. For example, it handles the frequency of RPL DIO (upward route advertisement) messages [4]. It also forms the basis of the "Multicast Forwarding with Trickle" algorithm, further discussed in the remainder of this session.…”

“…SMRF does not define any control messages of its own. It operates based on RPL parent information and on multicast group membership information, carried inside RPL DAO messages, as specified in [4]. SMRF is stateless.…”

“…Published by IETF's 6LoWPAN work group, they discuss techniques for IPv6 datagram fragmentation and header compression, achieving their efficient transmission within IEEE 802.15.4 low power radio frames. For those networks (6LoWPANs), the emerging standard for routing is the "IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low power and Lossy Networks" (RPL) [4].…”

RPL-based routing protocols for multi-sink wireless sensor networks

“…RPL is a proactive distance vector routing protocol for LLNs [6]. The protocol operates at the networking layer, hence it can support multiple link layer technologies.…”

“…For a detailed explanation about the message structure readers are encouraged to read [6]. Different DODAGs are identified using the RPL instance ID and DODAGID (sink node network layer address).…”