Re: [Autoconf] answers on DHCP DUID, key generation etc.

["Charles E. Perkins" <charles.perkins at earthlink.net>]

Hello Teco,

Teco Boot wrote:
> Hi Charlie,
>
>   
> > - DHCP DUID isn't going to help if you don't already have DHCP.
> >  My strong recommendation, for scalability and robustness, would
> >  be to avoid any requirement for DHCP.
> >     
>
> I guess you understand my point very well. There are IETF protocols that
> assume nodes have a unique ID, and there was no discussion on getting the
> id that I can remember. But I was not there, I assume.
>
> I hope your recommendation applies only for MANETs.
>   

Yes.  Obviously DHCP has a strong role in the administration
of fixed networks and even infrastructure-based networks with
mobile nodes.


> I think DHCP can be very useful for attached MANETs, for getting
> "additional information", i.e. other than addresses.
>   

I agree.  I just don't think it fits very well in networks composed
of highly mobile wireless nodes, especially when the network has
no point of attachment to the Internet.

>   
> > - For key distribution, you didn't like my long key?  Why not?
> >   Well then, pick a shorter one.  It becomes a matter of engineering.
> >     
>
> Some do not like pre-shared keys.
> And if it was a private, a good PRN can be generated very easily.
> Or just pre-load a guaranteed unique global address.
>   

The latter choice makes the whole discussion moot,
but of course when that is available I think it is the right
thing to do.

Regards,
Charlie P.