Those associated with the IETF and those with interest in computer networking might be interested to know that a new, clean-slate network protocol stack, an alternative to the IPv4 and IPv6, is due out in 2012. This new protocol stack will provide the following features:
- A generalized solution to naming, numbering, and addressing problems, where domain names and IP addresses have been given a sound, theoretical basis, with particular emphasis on rethinking the nature of domain names with respect to IP addresses. Well-known port numbers would become unnecessary for many applications.
- A generalized solution to the mobility problem, where networks of networks may be mobile, with continuously optimal routing from source to target and ultra-fast handover over multiple wireless technologies existing within the same node that allows PDA's to easily be used as cell phones while making and breaking of Wi-Fi links.
- A generalized solution to the multicast problem, where a PDA might serve as the root of a 1,000,000,000-node multicast tree, and where an application sourcing the multicast can be written by a programmer in one afternoon whose possesses a near-minimum understanding of computer networking.
- A generalized solution to the security problem, where each feature commonly provided by an underlying security framework [hiding, signing, etc.] might be independently enabled or disabled without affecting the operation of cooperative features.
- A generalized solution to the access control problem, where specifying access control parameters makes sense to technical neophytes, where username/passwords are essentially non-existent, and where it is plainly evident from the model that it is regular and persistent.
- A gratuitous, parasitic framework that, if it were so chosen, would allow for the elimination of the majority of email spam and similar nuisances on the Internet.
- A strictly 99.8% portable reference implementation for most multi-threaded OS's, written in C++.
- A network application library that presents persistent primitives of computer networking [C++ classes].
- International support for almost all of the world's languages, not only for domain names, but for all textual processing under the purview of the protocol stack. Specifically, almost equal weight will be given for non-English languages as for English.
- A total executable size of less than 1MB [without a GUI] for a full-featured stack destined for small-footprint devices.
- Initial compatibility with IPv4 routing, where new, disruptive applications may be created over the new protocol stack without requiring changes to existing IPv4 routing. A full-break from IPv4 would require no human intervention [renumbering] at the point of change-over, and after change-over, said disruptive applications would continue to function, unaware that change-over has occurred.
- Simplicity. The new stack should be understandable in its entirely by a single software engineer after 3 months of study.
I will send out notices as the release date in 2012 approaches.
Warm Regards,
-JC
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