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Re: references on non-central authority network protocols

  • From: Dave Crocker
  • Date: Wed Apr 17 16:45:55 2002

At 03:40 PM 4/14/2002 -0500, Stephen Sprunk wrote:
No, the trick is for a distributed algorithm to generate a non-trivial
number of unique values for a (short) fixed-length field.
This line of suggestion indicates a goal of identification, rather than addressing.

Addressing is supposed to have relevance to the infrastructure topology, so that it indicates a place within the topology.

As to the larger goal of non-centralized address assignment, the usual distinction is between administrative method, versus basis of assignment authority.

Distributed (non-centralized) administration is not very difficult. As noted, the RIRs are a version of that.

Independent assignment (multiple authorities) has not been achieved so far. Activities that appear to have this feature actually rely on a logical central authority, with operational coordination among the participants. The central authority in these cases is either some sort of statute or the cooperative enforcement of the participation community.

d/


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Dave Crocker <mailto:[email protected]>
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