Technical Summary
This document describes a model for configuring IP addresses and
subnet prefixes on the interfaces of routers which connect to links
with undetermined connectivity properties. While the considerations
in this document are general, they are specifically written with the
most stringent requirements of MANETs in mind; essentially, a router
configured according to the principles set forth in this document
will be able to support operation of a MANET routing protocol.
Working Group Summary
Variations of this document have been in the working group process
for four years. Earlier incarnations attempted to specify much more
than this document does. In 2009, the working group was rechartered
to focus on documenting *a* workable address configuration model,
as opposed to attempting to describe all possible theoretical models.
The model described in this document is the one most widely used
by networks that employ ad hoc routing techniques.
The recommendation in the document to not use
Link Local addresses for operation over interfaces towards links with
undetermined connectivity properties was not unanimous, and on this
point, consensus was rough.
Document Quality
While the document does not specify a protocol, there are about a
decade of experience with running MANETs in which routers have
their interfaces configured according to the recommendations in this
document.
Personnel
Ryuji Wakikawa is the Document Shepherd, and Jari Arkko is
the responsible Area Director.