An IP address configuration algorithm for multi-router zeroconf networks

Zero-configuration (zeroconf) networks are a particular class of IP networks that do not require any user administration for correct operation. IP address configuration in zeroconf networks is an important problem. While there are a few proposals for IP host configuration, a general solution for IP router configuration, an important problem in multi-router zeroconf networks, does not yet exist. In a single-router zeroconf network, the router can easily configure by creating unique IP subnets over each of its directly attached segments. But when several such self-configuring routers are interconnected together to form a multi-router network, there is a need for (1) dynamic exchange of routing information among the routers and (2) consistent assignment of IP subnets in the network, i.e., an IP subnet can not be assigned to different segments. As new routers are added to the zeroconf network, any IP subnet conflicts must be detected and resolved. No solutions for IP address auto-configuration of multi-router networks exist. This paper suggests the requirements for IP address configuration of multi-router zeroconf networks, and proposes IP host and router configuration algorithms to satisfy these requirements. Among the proposed algorithms is a novel routing algorithm designed by augmenting the basic distance vector routing algorithm that can solve both the problem of dynamic routing and consistent IP subnet assignment in multi-router zeroconf networks. We also show how the popular routing information protocol (RIP) can be augmented to implement the proposed routing algorithm, called the zeroconf routing information protocol (ZRIP).