< draft-dreibholz-ipv4-flowlabel-34.txt   draft-dreibholz-ipv4-flowlabel-35.txt >
Network Working Group T. Dreibholz Network Working Group T. Dreibholz
Internet-Draft SimulaMet Internet-Draft SimulaMet
Intended status: Standards Track September 06, 2021 Intended status: Standards Track 21 March 2022
Expires: March 10, 2022 Expires: 22 September 2022
An IPv4 Flowlabel Option An IPv4 Flowlabel Option
draft-dreibholz-ipv4-flowlabel-34 draft-dreibholz-ipv4-flowlabel-35
Abstract Abstract
This draft defines an IPv4 option containing a flowlabel that is This draft defines an IPv4 option containing a flowlabel that is
compatible to IPv6. It is required for simplified usage of IntServ compatible to IPv6. It is required for simplified usage of IntServ
and interoperability with IPv6. and interoperability with IPv6.
Status of This Memo Status of This Memo
This Internet-Draft is submitted in full conformance with the This Internet-Draft is submitted in full conformance with the
skipping to change at page 1, line 32 skipping to change at page 1, line 32
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This Internet-Draft will expire on March 10, 2022. This Internet-Draft will expire on 22 September 2022.
Copyright Notice Copyright Notice
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Table of Contents Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.1. Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.1. Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2. Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.2. Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3. Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1.3. Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. A Flow Label Option for IPv4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2. A Flow Label Option for IPv4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1. Motivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2.1. Motivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1.1. The Flow Label Field of IPv6 . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2.1.1. The Flow Label Field of IPv6 . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1.2. The Limitations of IntServ via IPv4 . . . . . . . . . 4 2.1.2. The Limitations of IntServ via IPv4 . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2. Definition of the Flow Label Option . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.2. Definition of the Flow Label Option . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3. Translation between IPv6 and IPv4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 3. Translation between IPv6 and IPv4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 4. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5. IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 5. IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
6. Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 6. Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
7. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 7. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
7.1. Normative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 7.1. Normative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
7.2. Informative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 7.2. Informative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Author's Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Author's Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1. Introduction 1. Introduction
1.1. Terminology 1.1. Terminology
This document uses the following terms: This document uses the following terms:
o IntServ (Integrated Services): Reservation of network resources * IntServ (Integrated Services): Reservation of network resources
(bandwidth) on a per-flow basis. See [RFC1633], [RFC2205], (bandwidth) on a per-flow basis. See [RFC1633], [RFC2205],
[RFC2208], [RFC2209], [RFC2210], [RFC2211] and [RFC2212] for [RFC2208], [RFC2209], [RFC2210], [RFC2211] and [RFC2212] for
details. details.
o Flow: An IntServ reservation between two endpoints. * Flow: An IntServ reservation between two endpoints.
o Flow Label: The Flow Label field of the IPv6 header and the IPv4 * Flow Label: The Flow Label field of the IPv6 header and the IPv4
option header defined in this draft. It is used for marking a option header defined in this draft. It is used for marking a
packet to use a specific IntServ reservation. See [RFC6437], packet to use a specific IntServ reservation. See [RFC6437],
[RFC6436] for detailed descriptions. [RFC6436] for detailed descriptions.
1.2. Abbreviations 1.2. Abbreviations
o RSVP: ReSource Reservation Protocol * RSVP: ReSource Reservation Protocol
o SCTP: Stream Control Transmission Protocol * SCTP: Stream Control Transmission Protocol
o TCP: Transmission Control Protocol * TCP: Transmission Control Protocol
o QoS: Quality of Service * QoS: Quality of Service
o UDP: User Datagram Protocol * UDP: User Datagram Protocol
1.3. Conventions 1.3. Conventions
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT", The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "NOT RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "NOT RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and
"OPTIONAL" in this document are to be interpreted as described in BCP "OPTIONAL" in this document are to be interpreted as described in BCP
14 [RFC2119] [RFC8174] when, and only when, they appear in all 14 [RFC2119] [RFC8174] when, and only when, they appear in all
capitals, as shown here. capitals, as shown here.
2. A Flow Label Option for IPv4 2. A Flow Label Option for IPv4
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idea behind the flow label is marking specific flows for IntServ. idea behind the flow label is marking specific flows for IntServ.
That is, the routers on the path from source to destination keep e.g. That is, the routers on the path from source to destination keep e.g.
reservation states for the flows. The flow label provides easy reservation states for the flows. The flow label provides easy
identification and utilizes efficient lookup, e.g. using a hash identification and utilizes efficient lookup, e.g. using a hash
function on the 3-tuple (source address, destination address, flow function on the 3-tuple (source address, destination address, flow
label). label).
Using the IPv6 flow label, packets can be mapped easily to specific Using the IPv6 flow label, packets can be mapped easily to specific
flows, with the following features: flows, with the following features:
o Transport Layer Protocol Independence: Since the mapping is * Transport Layer Protocol Independence: Since the mapping is
directly specified in the IP header, all possible layer 4 directly specified in the IP header, all possible layer 4
protocols are supported, even protocols to be specified in a far protocols are supported, even protocols to be specified in a far
future. future.
o Support for Network Layer Encryption: The mapping is independent * Support for Network Layer Encryption: The mapping is independent
of payload encryption (e.g. by IPsec). of payload encryption (e.g. by IPsec).
o Support for Fragmentation: If fragmentation of a large IP packet * Support for Fragmentation: If fragmentation of a large IP packet
is necessary, all fragments contain the same flow label. is necessary, all fragments contain the same flow label.
Therefore, fragmentation does not cause any flow-marking problem. Therefore, fragmentation does not cause any flow-marking problem.
o Flow Sharing: By marking packets with a flow label, it is possible * Flow Sharing: By marking packets with a flow label, it is possible
to share a single flow (IntServ reservation) with several to share a single flow (IntServ reservation) with several
communication associations from host A to host B. For example, a communication associations from host A to host B. For example, a
video stream via UDP and a HTTP download via TCP could share a video stream via UDP and a HTTP download via TCP could share a
single reservation. For the user, flow sharing has the advantage single reservation. For the user, flow sharing has the advantage
that if one of its communication associations temporarily requires that if one of its communication associations temporarily requires
lower bandwidth than expected, other associations sharing the same lower bandwidth than expected, other associations sharing the same
flow may use the remaining bandwidth. That is, his possibly flow may use the remaining bandwidth. That is, his possibly
expensive reservation is fully utilized. Flow sharing also helps expensive reservation is fully utilized. Flow sharing also helps
keeping the total number of reservations a router has to handle keeping the total number of reservations a router has to handle
small, reducing their CPU and memory requirements and therefore small, reducing their CPU and memory requirements and therefore
cost. cost.
o Multi-Flow Connections: One communication association can divide * Multi-Flow Connections: One communication association can divide
up its packets to several flows, simply by marking packets with up its packets to several flows, simply by marking packets with
different flow labels. This technique can be used for layered different flow labels. This technique can be used for layered
transmission. That is, a stream (e.g. a video) is divided up into transmission. That is, a stream (e.g. a video) is divided up into
several parts (called layers). For example, the first layer (base several parts (called layers). For example, the first layer (base
layer) of a video contains a low-quality version, the second (1st layer) of a video contains a low-quality version, the second (1st
enhancement layer) the data to generate a higher-quality version, enhancement layer) the data to generate a higher-quality version,
etc.. Now, the first layer can be mapped to a high-quality etc.. Now, the first layer can be mapped to a high-quality
reservation (guaranteed bandwidth, low loss rate) at higher cost, reservation (guaranteed bandwidth, low loss rate) at higher cost,
but the following layers can be mapped to lower-quality but the following layers can be mapped to lower-quality
reservations (e.g. higher loss rate) or even best effort at lower reservations (e.g. higher loss rate) or even best effort at lower
cost. Research shows that the total transmission cost can be cost. Research shows that the total transmission cost can be
highly reduced using layered transmission (see [Dre2001], highly reduced using layered transmission (see [Dre2001],
[IJMUE2009] for details). [IJMUE2009] for details).
2.1.2. The Limitations of IntServ via IPv4 2.1.2. The Limitations of IntServ via IPv4
Using IntServ with IPv4, there are several problems that can only be Using IntServ with IPv4, there are several problems that can only be
solved with high management effort: solved with high management effort:
o No Transport Layer Protocol Independence: It is necessary to mark * No Transport Layer Protocol Independence: It is necessary to mark
the packets within the layer 4 protocol header. For example, the the packets within the layer 4 protocol header. For example, the
TCP, UDP or SCTP port numbers can be used to mark flows (with TCP, UDP or SCTP port numbers can be used to mark flows (with
limitations, see below). But for new protocols (e.g. limitations, see below). But for new protocols (e.g.
experimental, new standards, proprietary), software updates for experimental, new standards, proprietary), software updates for
*all* IntServ routers are necessary to recognize the packet flow! *all* IntServ routers are necessary to recognize the packet flow!
o No Support for Network Layer Encryption: Since it is necessary to * No Support for Network Layer Encryption: Since it is necessary to
read fields of the layer 4 protocol header, it may not be read fields of the layer 4 protocol header, it may not be
encrypted. Therefore, e.g. the usage of IPsec is impossible. encrypted. Therefore, e.g. the usage of IPsec is impossible.
o Support for Fragmentation: Only the first fragment of a large * Support for Fragmentation: Only the first fragment of a large
packet contains the layer 4 header necessary to map the packet to packet contains the layer 4 header necessary to map the packet to
a flow. Mapping other fragments would require the hops to a flow. Mapping other fragments would require the hops to
remember packet identities and try to map fragments to packet remember packet identities and try to map fragments to packet
identities. Due to the management effort and memory requirements, identities. Due to the management effort and memory requirements,
this is not realistic for high-bandwidth backbone routers; this is not realistic for high-bandwidth backbone routers;
especially when packet reordering must be considered. especially when packet reordering must be considered.
Furthermore, load sharing or traffic distribution would be Furthermore, load sharing or traffic distribution would be
impossible. impossible.
o No Flow Sharing: It is usually impossible for two different * No Flow Sharing: It is usually impossible for two different
communication associations to share the same flow, e.g. if TCP communication associations to share the same flow, e.g. if TCP
flows are recognized using port numbers. This makes it necessary flows are recognized using port numbers. This makes it necessary
to reserve an IntServ flow for each communication association. to reserve an IntServ flow for each communication association.
This implies an increased number of flow states for routers to This implies an increased number of flow states for routers to
keep and maintain. Furthermore, if one association temporarily keep and maintain. Furthermore, if one association temporarily
uses a lower bandwidth, the free bandwidth of its flow cannot uses a lower bandwidth, the free bandwidth of its flow cannot
easily be borrowed to another association. easily be borrowed to another association.
o No Multi-Flow Connections: To use layered transmission, e.g. a * No Multi-Flow Connections: To use layered transmission, e.g. a
video via UDP, the transmission of every layer would require own video via UDP, the transmission of every layer would require own
port numbers. In the case of connection-oriented transmission port numbers. In the case of connection-oriented transmission
protocols (e.g. TCP, SCTP), every layer would even require its protocols (e.g. TCP, SCTP), every layer would even require its
own connection setup and management. Depending on the transport own connection setup and management. Depending on the transport
protocol, the number of communication associations and the number protocol, the number of communication associations and the number
of flows, much more work is necessary compared to IPv6 using flow of flows, much more work is necessary compared to IPv6 using flow
labels. labels.
All in all, using IntServ flows with IPv4 requires much more work All in all, using IntServ flows with IPv4 requires much more work
compared to IPv6, where simply the flow label can be used. It is compared to IPv6, where simply the flow label can be used. It is
skipping to change at page 5, line 49 skipping to change at page 5, line 51
Flow Label Option Flow Label Option
0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
| Type | Length |0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0|0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0| | Type | Length |0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0|0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0|0 0 0 0| Flow Label | |0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0|0 0 0 0| Flow Label |
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
o Type: 143 * Type: 143
* Length: 8 octets
o Length: 8 octets * Flow Label: The 20-bit flow label. All definitions of [RFC6437]
o Flow Label: The 20-bit flow label. All definitions of [RFC6437]
and [RFC6436] for the IPv6 flow label are also valid for this and [RFC6436] for the IPv6 flow label are also valid for this
field. A value of zero denotes that no flow label is used. In field. A value of zero denotes that no flow label is used. In
this case, the flow label option is in fact unnecessary. this case, the flow label option is in fact unnecessary.
The Flow Label option SHOULD be copied on fragmentation. It MUST be The Flow Label option SHOULD be copied on fragmentation. It MUST be
the first option of the IP header and therefore MUST NOT appear more the first option of the IP header and therefore MUST NOT appear more
than once per IPv4 packet. The Router Alert option SHOULD NOT be than once per IPv4 packet. The Router Alert option SHOULD NOT be
used to mark the necessity for routers to examine the options. used to mark the necessity for routers to examine the options.
Placing the Flow Label option as first option allows for easy Placing the Flow Label option as first option allows for easy
processing in hardware. processing in hardware.
skipping to change at page 8, line 5 skipping to change at page 7, line 47
"IPv6 Flow Label Specification", RFC 6437, "IPv6 Flow Label Specification", RFC 6437,
DOI 10.17487/RFC6437, November 2011, DOI 10.17487/RFC6437, November 2011,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6437>. <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6437>.
[RFC8174] Leiba, B., "Ambiguity of Uppercase vs Lowercase in RFC [RFC8174] Leiba, B., "Ambiguity of Uppercase vs Lowercase in RFC
2119 Key Words", BCP 14, RFC 8174, DOI 10.17487/RFC8174, 2119 Key Words", BCP 14, RFC 8174, DOI 10.17487/RFC8174,
May 2017, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8174>. May 2017, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8174>.
7.2. Informative References 7.2. Informative References
[Dre2001] Dreibholz, T., "Management of Layered Variable Bitrate
Multimedia Streams over DiffServ with Apriori
Knowledge", Masters Thesis, February 2001,
<https://duepublico.uni-duisburg-
essen.de/servlets/DerivateServlet/Derivate-29936/
Dre2001.pdf>.
[IJMUE2009]
Zhu, W., Dreibholz, T., Rathgeb, E., and X. Zhou, "A
Scalable QoS Device for Broadband Access to Multimedia
Services", SERSC International Journal of Multimedia and
Ubiquitous Engineering (IJMUE) Number 2, Volume 4, Pages
157-172, ISSN 1975-0080, May 2009,
<http://www.sersc.org/journals/IJMUE/
vol4_no2_2009/14.pdf>.
[RFC1633] Braden, R., Clark, D., and S. Shenker, "Integrated [RFC1633] Braden, R., Clark, D., and S. Shenker, "Integrated
Services in the Internet Architecture: an Overview", Services in the Internet Architecture: an Overview",
RFC 1633, DOI 10.17487/RFC1633, June 1994, RFC 1633, DOI 10.17487/RFC1633, June 1994,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc1633>. <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc1633>.
[RFC2208] Mankin, A., Ed., Baker, F., Braden, B., Bradner, S., [RFC2208] Mankin, A., Ed., Baker, F., Braden, B., Bradner, S.,
O'Dell, M., Romanow, A., Weinrib, A., and L. Zhang, O'Dell, M., Romanow, A., Weinrib, A., and L. Zhang,
"Resource ReSerVation Protocol (RSVP) -- Version 1 "Resource ReSerVation Protocol (RSVP) -- Version 1
Applicability Statement Some Guidelines on Deployment", Applicability Statement Some Guidelines on Deployment",
RFC 2208, DOI 10.17487/RFC2208, September 1997, RFC 2208, DOI 10.17487/RFC2208, September 1997,
skipping to change at page 8, line 43 skipping to change at page 8, line 22
[RFC2209] Braden, R. and L. Zhang, "Resource ReSerVation Protocol [RFC2209] Braden, R. and L. Zhang, "Resource ReSerVation Protocol
(RSVP) -- Version 1 Message Processing Rules", RFC 2209, (RSVP) -- Version 1 Message Processing Rules", RFC 2209,
DOI 10.17487/RFC2209, September 1997, DOI 10.17487/RFC2209, September 1997,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc2209>. <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc2209>.
[RFC6436] Amante, S., Carpenter, B., and S. Jiang, "Rationale for [RFC6436] Amante, S., Carpenter, B., and S. Jiang, "Rationale for
Update to the IPv6 Flow Label Specification", RFC 6436, Update to the IPv6 Flow Label Specification", RFC 6436,
DOI 10.17487/RFC6436, November 2011, DOI 10.17487/RFC6436, November 2011,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6436>. <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6436>.
[Dre2001] Dreibholz, T., "Management of Layered Variable Bitrate
Multimedia Streams over DiffServ with Apriori
Knowledge", Masters Thesis, 20 February 2001,
<https://duepublico.uni-duisburg-
essen.de/servlets/DerivateServlet/Derivate-29936/
Dre2001.pdf>.
[IJMUE2009]
Zhu, W., Dreibholz, T., Rathgeb, E. P., and X. Zhou, "A
Scalable QoS Device for Broadband Access to Multimedia
Services", SERSC International Journal of Multimedia and
Ubiquitous Engineering (IJMUE) Number 2, Volume 4, Pages
157-172, ISSN 1975-0080, May 2009,
<http://www.sersc.org/journals/IJMUE/
vol4_no2_2009/14.pdf>.
Author's Address Author's Address
Thomas Dreibholz Thomas Dreibholz
Simula Metropolitan Centre for Digital Engineering Simula Metropolitan Centre for Digital Engineering
Pilestredet 52 Pilestredet 52
0167 Oslo, Oslo 0167 Oslo
Norway Norway
Phone: +47-6782-8200 Phone: +47-6782-8200
Fax: +47-6782-8201
Email: dreibh@simula.no Email: dreibh@simula.no
URI: https://www.simula.no/people/dreibh URI: https://www.simula.no/people/dreibh
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