Linyphi: creating IPv6 mesh networks with SSR

Scalable source routing (SSR) is a self-organizing routing protocol which is especially suited for networks that do not have a well-crafted structure, e.g. ad hoc and mesh networks. SSR works on a flat identifier space. As a consequence, it can easily support host mobility without requiring any location directory or other centralized service. SSR is based on a virtual ring structure, which is used in a chord-like manner to obtain source routes to previously unknown destinations. It has been shown that SSR requires very little per node state and produces very little control messages. In particular, SSR has been found to outperform other ad hoc routing protocols such as ad hoc on-demand distance vector routing, optimized link-state routing, or beacon vector routing. In this paper we present Linyphi, an implementation of SSR for wireless access routers. Linyphi combines IPv6 and SSR so that unmodified IPv6 hosts have transparent connectivity to both the Linyphi mesh network and the IPv4-v6 Internet. We give a basic outline of the implementation and demonstrate its suitability in real-world mesh network scenarios. Furthermore, we illustrate the use of Linyphi for distributed applications such as the Linyphone peer-to-peer VoIP application. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.