RFC 7855 · INFORMATIONAL · 2016

Source Packet Routing in Networking Problem Statement and Requirements

Overview

RFC 7855, “Source Packet Routing in Networking Problem Statement and Requirements”, is an Informational document published in May 2016 by S. Previdi, C. Filsfils, B. Decraene, S. Litkowski, M. Horneffer, R. Shakir. The canonical text is published by the RFC Editor.

Abstract

The ability for a node to specify a forwarding path, other than the normal shortest path, that a particular packet will traverse, benefits a number of network functions. Source-based routing mechanisms have previously been specified for network protocols but have not seen widespread adoption. In this context, the term "source" means "the point at which the explicit route is imposed"; therefore, it is not limited to the originator of the packet (i.e., the node imposing the explicit route may be the ingress node of an operator's network).

This document outlines various use cases, with their requirements, that need to be taken into account by the Source Packet Routing in Networking (SPRING) architecture for unicast traffic. Multicast use cases and requirements are out of scope for this document.

Abstract as published in the RFC, via rfc-editor.org.

What “Informational” means

Published for the general information of the community. It does not define an IETF standard and carries no standards-track status.

Read this RFC

The canonical text of RFC 7855 is hosted at rfc-editor.org. Available in TXT,HTML.

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