Regional Broadcast Using an Atmospheric Link Layer
RFC 6217

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Independent Submission                                         T. Ritter
Request for Comments: 6217                                  1 April 2011
Category: Experimental
ISSN: 2070-1721

           Regional Broadcast Using an Atmospheric Link Layer

Abstract

   Broadcasting is a technology that has been largely discarded in favor
   of technologies like multicast.  This document builds on RFC 919 and
   describes a more efficient routing mechanism for broadcast packets
   destined for multiple Local Area Networks (LANs) or Metropolitan Area
   Networks (MANs) using an alternative link layer.  It significantly
   reduces congestion on network equipment and does not require
   additional physical infrastructure investment.

Status of This Memo

   This document is not an Internet Standards Track specification; it is
   published for informational purposes.

   This is a contribution to the RFC Series, independently of any other
   RFC stream.  The RFC Editor has chosen to publish this document at
   its discretion and makes no statement about its value for
   implementation or deployment.  Documents approved for publication by
   the RFC Editor are not a candidate for any level of Internet
   Standard; see 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/rfc6217.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (c) 2011 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
   document authors.  All rights reserved.

   This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
   Provisions Relating to IETF Documents
   (http://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of
   publication of this document.  Please review these documents
   carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect
   to this document.

Ritter                        Experimental                      [Page 1]
RFC 6217                   Regional Broadcast               1 April 2011

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction ....................................................2
   2. Terminology .....................................................2
   3. Limitations .....................................................2
   4. Physical Layer ..................................................3
   5. Frame Format in the OSI Model ...................................3
      5.1. Data Link Layer ............................................3
      5.2. Network Layer ..............................................3
      5.3. Transport Layer ............................................4
   6. Reception .......................................................6
   7. Datagram Transmission ...........................................6
      7.1. Chemical Approach to the Atmospheric Link Layer ............6
      7.2. Location ...................................................7
      7.3. Physical Layer Conditions ..................................7
   8. References ......................................................8
      8.1. Normative References .......................................8
      8.2. Informative References .....................................8

1.  Introduction

   RFC 919 [1] defines a method for broadcasting packets to a local
   network.  It assumes that data link layers support efficient
   broadcasting.  In the years since RFC 919 was written, Local Area
   Networks have grown exponentially in size, and frequently they are
   not geographically local.

   This RFC proposes a new data link layer that scales efficiently to a
   geographically local network and, depending on visibility, to an
   entire Metropolitan Area Network.  By using a different transmission
   medium, the broadcast traffic does not impact current inter- or
   intra-network routed traffic.  It also makes use of a widely
   available infrastructure that is in use in all major cities and,
   surprisingly, rural and under-developed locations as well.

2.  Terminology

   The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
   "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this
   document are to be interpreted as described in RFC 2119.

3.  Limitations

   This RFC does not propose solutions to all problems.  Just as RFC 919
   was unconcerned with reliability, we also do not guarantee that hosts
   receive datagrams sent.  Hosts may not receive packets for a variety
   of reasons, among them weather conditions, line of sight, sleep
   patterns, and distraction.  A best-effort delivery approach is taken.

Ritter                        Experimental                      [Page 2]
RFC 6217                   Regional Broadcast               1 April 2011

   These limitations do impact the usefulness of the proposal, but
   organizations serious about distributing information in this fashion
   can overcome these obstacles with relatively little difficulty.

4.  Physical Layer

   The physical layer used is made up primarily of nitrogen and oxygen,