RPL: IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy Networks
RFC 6550

• Status
• IESG evaluation record
• IESG writeups
• Email expansions
• History

• Versions
• 19

Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)                    T. Winter, Ed.
Request for Comments: 6550
Category: Standards Track                                P. Thubert, Ed.
ISSN: 2070-1721                                            Cisco Systems
                                                               A. Brandt
                                                           Sigma Designs
                                                                  J. Hui
                                                   Arch Rock Corporation
                                                               R. Kelsey
                                                       Ember Corporation
                                                                P. Levis
                                                     Stanford University
                                                               K. Pister
                                                           Dust Networks
                                                               R. Struik
                                             Struik Security Consultancy
                                                             JP. Vasseur
                                                           Cisco Systems
                                                            R. Alexander
                                                    Cooper Power Systems
                                                              March 2012

      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.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (c) 2012 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.  Code Components extracted from this document must
   include Simplified BSD License text as described in Section 4.e of
   the Trust Legal Provisions and are provided without warranty as
   described in the Simplified BSD License.

Winter, et al.               Standards Track                    [Page 2]
RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction ....................................................8
      1.1. Design Principles ..........................................8
      1.2. Expectations of Link-Layer Type ...........................10
   2. Terminology ....................................................10
   3. Protocol Overview ..............................................13
      3.1. Topologies ................................................13
           3.1.1. Constructing Topologies ............................13
           3.1.2. RPL Identifiers ....................................14
           3.1.3. Instances, DODAGs, and DODAG Versions ..............14
      3.2. Upward Routes and DODAG Construction ......................16