Alternative Network Deployments: Taxonomy, Characterization, Technologies, and Architectures
RFC 7962
| Document | Type |
RFC - Informational
(August 2016; No errata)
Was draft-irtf-gaia-alternative-network-deployments (gaia RG)
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Last updated | 2018-12-20 | ||
| Replaces | draft-manyfolks-gaia-community-networks | ||
| Stream | IRTF | ||
| Formats | plain text pdf htmlized bibtex | ||
| IETF conflict review | conflict-review-irtf-gaia-alternative-network-deployments | ||
| Stream | IRTF state | Published RFC | |
| Consensus Boilerplate | Yes | ||
| Document shepherd | Mat Ford | ||
| IESG | IESG state | RFC 7962 (Informational) | |
| Telechat date | |||
| Responsible AD | (None) | ||
| Send notices to | (None) | ||
| IANA | IANA review state | Version Changed - Review Needed | |
| IANA action state | No IANA Actions | ||
Internet Research Task Force (IRTF) J. Saldana, Ed.
Request for Comments: 7962 University of Zaragoza
Category: Informational A. Arcia-Moret
ISSN: 2070-1721 University of Cambridge
B. Braem
iMinds
E. Pietrosemoli
The Abdus Salam ICTP
A. Sathiaseelan
University of Cambridge
M. Zennaro
The Abdus Salam ICTP
August 2016
Alternative Network Deployments:
Taxonomy, Characterization, Technologies, and Architectures
Abstract
This document presents a taxonomy of a set of "Alternative Network
Deployments" that emerged in the last decade with the aim of bringing
Internet connectivity to people or providing a local communication
infrastructure to serve various complementary needs and objectives.
They employ architectures and topologies different from those of
mainstream networks and rely on alternative governance and business
models.
The document also surveys the technologies deployed in these
networks, and their differing architectural characteristics,
including a set of definitions and shared properties.
The classification considers models such as Community Networks,
Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs), networks owned by
individuals but leased out to network operators who use them as a
low-cost medium to reach the underserved population, networks that
provide connectivity by sharing wireless resources of the users, and
rural utility cooperatives.
Saldana, et al. Informational [Page 1]
RFC 7962 Alternative Network Deployments August 2016
Status of This Memo
This document is not an Internet Standards Track specification; it is
published for informational purposes.
This document is a product of the Internet Research Task Force
(IRTF). The IRTF publishes the results of Internet-related research
and development activities. These results might not be suitable for
deployment. This RFC represents the consensus of the Global Access
to the Internet for All Research Group of the Internet Research Task
Force (IRTF). Documents approved for publication by the IRSG are not
a candidate for any level of Internet Standard; see Section 2 of RFC
7841.
Information about the current status of this document, any errata,
and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained at
http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7962.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (c) 2016 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
document authors. All rights reserved.
This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
Provisions Relating to IETF Documents
(http://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of
publication of this document. Please review these documents
carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect
to this document.
Saldana, et al. Informational [Page 2]
RFC 7962 Alternative Network Deployments August 2016
Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.1. Mainstream Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.2. Alternative Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2. Terms Used in This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3. Scenarios Where Alternative Networks Are Deployed . . . . . . 7
3.1. Urban vs. Rural Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.2. Topology Patterns Followed by Alternative Networks . . . 9
4. Classification Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.1. Entity behind the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.2. Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.3. Governance and Sustainability Model . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.4. Technologies Employed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.5. Typical Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5. Classification of Alternative Networks . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.1. Community Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5.2. Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) . . . . . . . 16
5.3. Shared Infrastructure Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.4. Crowdshared Approaches Led by the Users and Third-Party
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