A Circuit-based Approach for Routing in Unidirectional Links Networks

Thierry Ernst (1) , Walid Dabbous

1 RODEO - High Speed Networks, Open Networks

Current routing protocols assume that routers are connected by bidirectional links. However, in an increasing number of configurations, pairs of routers may only be connected by unidirectional links. Examples of such configurations include ad-hoc packet radio networks, some satellite and cable networks, etc. Specific protocols are needed to support dynamic routing over these configurations. In this report, we first discuss the applicability of current techniques to the support of dynamic routing in a network where all routers are connected by unidirectional links (UDLs). We show that these techniques cannot be used without modifications because of specific UDL characteristics. We then present an unidirectional link routing protocol based on circuit detection which allows dynamic routing over unidirectional links, and describes its features and behaviour.

Mots clés: CIRCUIT; ROUTING PROTOCOLS; UNIDIRECTIONAL LINK; DISTANCE VECTOR; LINK STATE; ACKNOWLEDGMENT; FLOODING; ASYMMETRY; TUNNELING

Domaines: Autre [cs.OH]

Thierry Ernst, Walid Dabbous. A Circuit-based Approach for Routing in Unidirectional Links Networks. RR-3292, INRIA. 1997. ⟨inria-00073396⟩