Lilith : an Interconnection Architecture Based on Label Switching for Spontaneous Edge Networks

Abstract : We consider the problem of spontaneous edge networks. With this term we designate networks that interconnect hosts by means of different physical and link layer technologies and in which all or some of hosts are organized as a multihop ad hoc network. A spontaneous network can be connected to the global Internet or form an iso- lated group of hosts with internal connectivity. Such networks are becoming wide spread with the advent of various communicating devices at home and in offices as well as with the development of pervasive devices connected via different types of networks and integrated within the physical world. Our goal is to define an interconnection architecture that supports TCP/IP applications without configuration or other technical effort from the user. The ap- plications should work when a spontaneous network is connected to the global Internet or disconnected as well as when its topology changes due to host mobility or switching network interfaces. Moreover, the architecture needs to support different kinds of applications, especially those that generate time dependent traffic.