rfc9717v1.txt   rfc9717.txt 
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LEO: Low Earth Orbit. A satellite in LEO has an altitude of 2,000 LEO: Low Earth Orbit. A satellite in LEO has an altitude of 2,000
km or less. km or less.
Local gateway: Each user station is associated with a single gateway Local gateway: Each user station is associated with a single gateway
in its region. in its region.
LSP: Link State Protocol Data Unit. An IS-IS LSP is a set of LSP: Link State Protocol Data Unit. An IS-IS LSP is a set of
packets that describe a node's connectivity to other nodes. packets that describe a node's connectivity to other nodes.
MEO: Medium Earth Orbit. A satellite in MEO is between LEO and GEO MEO: Medium Earth Orbit. A satellite in MEO is between LEO and GEO
orbits and has an altitude between 2,000 km and 35,786 km. and has an altitude between 2,000 km and 35,786 km.
SID: Segment Identifier [RFC8402] SID: Segment Identifier [RFC8402]
Stripe: A set of satellites in a few adjacent orbits. These form an Stripe: A set of satellites in a few adjacent orbits. These form an
IS-IS L1 area. IS-IS L1 area.
SR: Segment Routing [RFC8402] SR: Segment Routing [RFC8402]
Uplink: The half of a link leading from an Earth station to a Uplink: The half of a link leading from an Earth station to a
satellite. satellite.
User station: An Earth station interconnected with a small end-user User station: An Earth station interconnected with a small end-user
network. network.
2. Overview 2. Overview
2.1. Topological Considerations 2.1. Topological Considerations
Satellites travel in specific orbits around their parent planet. Satellites travel in specific orbits around their parent planets.
Some of them have their orbital periods synchronized to planetary Some of them have their orbital periods synchronized to planetary
rotation, so they are effectively stationary over a single point. rotation, so they are effectively stationary over a single point.
Other satellites have orbits that cause them to travel across regions Other satellites have orbits that cause them to travel across regions
of the planet either gradually or quite rapidly. Respectively, these of the planet either gradually or quite rapidly. Respectively, these
are typically known as the Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Medium are typically known as the Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Medium
Earth Orbit (MEO), or Low Earth Orbit (LEO), depending on the Earth Orbit (MEO), or Low Earth Orbit (LEO), depending on the
altitude. This discussion is not Earth-specific; as we get to other altitude. This discussion is not Earth-specific; as we get to other
planets, we can test this approach's generality. planets, we can test this approach's generality.
Satellites may have data interconnections with one another through Satellites may have data interconnections with one another through
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hierarchical abstractions, so a key question of any routing hierarchical abstractions, so a key question of any routing
architecture will be about the abstractions that can be created to architecture will be about the abstractions that can be created to
contain topological information. contain topological information.
Normal routing protocols are architected to operate with a static but Normal routing protocols are architected to operate with a static but
somewhat unreliable topology. Satellite networks lack the static somewhat unreliable topology. Satellite networks lack the static
organization of terrestrial networks, so normal architectural organization of terrestrial networks, so normal architectural
practices for scalability may not apply, and alternative approaches practices for scalability may not apply, and alternative approaches
may need consideration. may need consideration.
In a traditional deployment of a link-state routing protocol, current In a typical deployment of a link-state routing protocol, current
implementations can be deployed with a single area that spans a few implementations can be deployed with a single area that spans a few
thousand routers. A single area would also provide no isolation for thousand routers. A single area would also provide no isolation for
topological changes, causing every link change to be propagated topological changes, causing every link change to be propagated
throughout the entire network. This would be insufficient for the throughout the entire network. This would be insufficient for the
needs of large satellite networks. needs of large satellite networks.
Multiple areas or multiple instances of an Interior Gateway Protocol Multiple areas or multiple instances of an Interior Gateway Protocol
(IGP) can be used to improve scalability, but there are limitations (IGP) can be used to improve scalability, but there are limitations
to traditional approaches. to typical approaches.
Currently, the IETF actively supports two link-state IGPs: OSPF Currently, the IETF actively supports two link-state IGPs: OSPF
[RFC2328] [RFC5340] and IS-IS. [RFC2328] [RFC5340] and IS-IS.
OSPF requires that the network operate around a backbone area, with OSPF requires that the network operate around a backbone area, with
subsidiary areas hanging off of the backbone. While this works well subsidiary areas hanging off of the backbone. While this works well
for traditional terrestrial networks, this does not seem appropriate for typical terrestrial networks, this does not seem appropriate for
for satellite networks, where there is no centralized portion of the satellite networks, where there is no centralized portion of the
topology. topology.
IS-IS has a different hierarchical structure, where Level 1 (L1) IS-IS has a different hierarchical structure, where Level 1 (L1)
areas are connected sets of nodes, and then Level 2 (L2) is a areas are connected sets of nodes, and then Level 2 (L2) is a
connected subset of the topology that intersects all of the L1 areas. connected subset of the topology that intersects all of the L1 areas.
Individual nodes can be L1, L2, or both (L1L2). Traditional IS-IS Individual nodes can be L1, L2, or both (L1L2). Typical IS-IS
designs require that any node or link that is to be used as transit designs require that any node or link that is to be used as transit
between L2 areas must appear as part of the L2 topology. In a between L2 areas must appear as part of the L2 topology. In a
satellite network, any satellite could end up being used for L2 satellite network, any satellite could end up being used for L2
transit, and so every satellite and link would be part of L2, transit, and so every satellite and link would be part of L2,
negating any scalability benefits from IS-IS's hierarchical negating any scalability benefits from IS-IS's hierarchical
structure. structure.
We elaborate on considerations specific to IS-IS in Section 4. We elaborate on considerations specific to IS-IS in Section 4.
2.4. Assumptions 2.4. Assumptions
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We assume that the satellite network is connected (in the graph We assume that the satellite network is connected (in the graph
theory sense) almost always, even if some links are down. This theory sense) almost always, even if some links are down. This
implies that there is almost always some path to the destination. In implies that there is almost always some path to the destination. In
the extreme case with no such path, we assume that it is acceptable the extreme case with no such path, we assume that it is acceptable
to drop the payload packets. We do not require buffering of traffic to drop the payload packets. We do not require buffering of traffic
when a link is down. Instead, traffic should be rerouted. when a link is down. Instead, traffic should be rerouted.
2.5. Problem Statement 2.5. Problem Statement
The goal of the routing architecture is to provide an organizational The goal of the routing architecture is to provide an organizational
structure to protocols running on the satellite network such that structure to protocols running on the satellite network. This
topology information is conveyed through relevant portions of the architecture must convey topology information to relevant portions of
network, paths are computed across the network, and data can be the network. This enables path computation that is used for data
delivered along those paths so that the structure can scale without forwarding. The architecture must also scale without global changes
any changes to the organizational structure. to the organizational structure.
3. Forwarding Plane 3. Forwarding Plane
The end goal of a network is to deliver traffic. In a satellite The end goal of a network is to deliver traffic. In a satellite
network where the topology is in a continual state of flux and the network where the topology is in a continual state of flux and the
user stations frequently change their association with the user stations frequently change their association with the
satellites, having a highly flexible and adaptive forwarding plane is satellites, having a highly flexible and adaptive forwarding plane is
essential. Toward this end, we propose using MPLS as the fundamental essential. Toward this end, we propose using MPLS as the fundamental
forwarding plane architecture [RFC3031]. Specifically, we propose forwarding plane architecture [RFC3031]. Specifically, we propose
using an approach based on Segment Routing (SR) [RFC8402] with an using an approach based on Segment Routing (SR) [RFC8402] with an
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on its TTL. on its TTL.
We assume that there is a link-layer mechanism for a user station to We assume that there is a link-layer mechanism for a user station to
associate with a satellite. User stations will have an IP address associate with a satellite. User stations will have an IP address
assigned from a prefix managed by its local gateway. The mechanisms assigned from a prefix managed by its local gateway. The mechanisms
for this assignment and its communication to the end station are not for this assignment and its communication to the end station are not
discussed herein but might be similar to DHCP [RFC2131]. User discussed herein but might be similar to DHCP [RFC2131]. User
station IP addresses change infrequently and do not reflect their station IP addresses change infrequently and do not reflect their
association with their first-hop satellite. Gateways and their association with their first-hop satellite. Gateways and their
supporting terrestrial networks advertise prefixes covering all its supporting terrestrial networks advertise prefixes covering all its
local user stations into the global Internet. local user stations throughout the global Internet.
User stations may be assigned a node SID, in which case MPLS User stations may be assigned a node SID, in which case MPLS
forwarding can be used for all hops to the user station. forwarding can be used for all hops to the user station.
Alternatively, if the user station does not have a node SID, then the Alternatively, if the user station does not have a node SID, then the
last hop from the satellite to the end station can be performed based last hop from the satellite to the end station can be performed based
on the destination IP address of the packet. This does not require a on the destination IP address of the packet. This does not require a
full longest-prefix-match lookup, as the IP address is merely a full longest-prefix-match lookup, as the IP address is merely a
unique identifier at this point. unique identifier at this point.
Similarly, gateways may be assigned a node SID. A possible Similarly, gateways may be assigned a node SID. A possible
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details about the satellites within the stripe. The resulting details about the satellites within the stripe. The resulting
architecture scales proportionately to the number of stripes architecture scales proportionately to the number of stripes
required, not the number of satellites. required, not the number of satellites.
Groups of MEO and GEO satellites with interconnecting ISLs can also Groups of MEO and GEO satellites with interconnecting ISLs can also
form an IS-IS L1L2 area. Satellites that lack intra-constellation form an IS-IS L1L2 area. Satellites that lack intra-constellation
ISLs are better as independent L2 nodes. ISLs are better as independent L2 nodes.
6. Traffic Forwarding and Traffic Engineering 6. Traffic Forwarding and Traffic Engineering
Forwarding in this architecture is straightforward. A path from a The forwarding architecture presented here is straightforward. A
gateway to a user station on the same stripe only requires a single path from a gateway to a user station on the same stripe only
node SID for the satellite that provides the downlink to the user requires a single node SID for the satellite that provides the
station. downlink to the user station.
\ \
Gateway --> X Gateway --> X
\ \
\ \
X X
\ \
\ \
X ---> x User Station X ---> x User Station
\ \
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Routing", 2015 IEEE Global Communications Conference Routing", 2015 IEEE Global Communications Conference
(GLOBECOM), DOI 10.1109/GLOCOM.2015.7417097, December (GLOBECOM), DOI 10.1109/GLOCOM.2015.7417097, December
2015, <https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7417097>. 2015, <https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7417097>.
[Handley] Handley, M., "Delay is Not an Option: Low Latency Routing [Handley] Handley, M., "Delay is Not an Option: Low Latency Routing
in Space", HotNets '18: Proceedings of the 17th ACM in Space", HotNets '18: Proceedings of the 17th ACM
Workshop on Hot Topics in Networks, pp. 85-91, Workshop on Hot Topics in Networks, pp. 85-91,
DOI 10.1145/3286062.3286075, November 2018, DOI 10.1145/3286062.3286075, November 2018,
<https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3286062.3286075#>. <https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3286062.3286075#>.
[ITU] ITU, "Radio Regulations - Articles", 2016, [ITU] ITU, "Radio Regulations - Articles", 2024,
<https://search.itu.int/history/ <https://search.itu.int/history/HistoryDigitalCollectionDo
HistoryDigitalCollectionDocLibrary/1.43.48.en.101.pdf>. cLibrary/1.49.48.en.101.pdf#search=radio%20regulation>.
[RFC1195] Callon, R., "Use of OSI IS-IS for routing in TCP/IP and [RFC1195] Callon, R., "Use of OSI IS-IS for routing in TCP/IP and
dual environments", RFC 1195, DOI 10.17487/RFC1195, dual environments", RFC 1195, DOI 10.17487/RFC1195,
December 1990, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc1195>. December 1990, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc1195>.
[RFC2131] Droms, R., "Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol", [RFC2131] Droms, R., "Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol",
RFC 2131, DOI 10.17487/RFC2131, March 1997, RFC 2131, DOI 10.17487/RFC2131, March 1997,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc2131>. <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc2131>.
[RFC2328] Moy, J., "OSPF Version 2", STD 54, RFC 2328, [RFC2328] Moy, J., "OSPF Version 2", STD 54, RFC 2328,
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