Leveraging IPv6 and ICMPv6 for Delay-Tolerant Networking in Deep Space
Communications in delay-tolerant networking (DTN) environments like deep space face significant challenges due to immense distances and the intermittent nature of links. Overcoming these issues requires moving beyond the assumptions of immediacy and reliability that underpin traditional terrestrial...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Technologies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/13/4/163 |
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| author | Umberto Pirovano Oriol Fusté Anna Calveras |
| author_facet | Umberto Pirovano Oriol Fusté Anna Calveras |
| author_sort | Umberto Pirovano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Communications in delay-tolerant networking (DTN) environments like deep space face significant challenges due to immense distances and the intermittent nature of links. Overcoming these issues requires moving beyond the assumptions of immediacy and reliability that underpin traditional terrestrial Internet Protocol (IP) networks. Historically, deep-space networks have relied on custom architectures or protocols like the Bundle Protocol (BP) to address these challenges; however, such solutions impose the constraint that nodes must implement the chosen protocol for proper operation, thereby not providing interoperability with standard IP-based nodes. This paper proposes an alternative approach, leveraging innovations in IP version 6 (IPv6) and Internet Control Message Protocol version 6 (ICMPv6) to integrate delay-tolerant features directly at Layer 3. By embedding these functionalities within the existing IPv6 framework, the proposed IP-compliant solution enhances interoperability, with terrestrial networks enabling DTN nodes to seamlessly communicate with compliant IPv6 nodes. This study provides a detailed comparison of the capabilities of IPv6 and BP version 7, highlighting gaps and opportunities. Based on this analysis, a node architecture is designed to implement the necessary functionalities for DTN, paving the way for more seamless integration of deep-space and terrestrial networks while reducing complexity and improving scalability. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cf6f1ec3e9d44e5aafbc47e07c660410 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2227-7080 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Technologies |
| spelling | doaj-art-cf6f1ec3e9d44e5aafbc47e07c6604102025-08-20T03:13:51ZengMDPI AGTechnologies2227-70802025-04-0113416310.3390/technologies13040163Leveraging IPv6 and ICMPv6 for Delay-Tolerant Networking in Deep SpaceUmberto Pirovano0Oriol Fusté1Anna Calveras2Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria de Telecomunicació de Barcelona—ETSETB, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—UPC, 08034 Barcelona, SpainSpace Communications Research Group, i2CAT Foundation, 08034 Barcelona, SpainEscola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria de Telecomunicació de Barcelona—ETSETB, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—UPC, 08034 Barcelona, SpainCommunications in delay-tolerant networking (DTN) environments like deep space face significant challenges due to immense distances and the intermittent nature of links. Overcoming these issues requires moving beyond the assumptions of immediacy and reliability that underpin traditional terrestrial Internet Protocol (IP) networks. Historically, deep-space networks have relied on custom architectures or protocols like the Bundle Protocol (BP) to address these challenges; however, such solutions impose the constraint that nodes must implement the chosen protocol for proper operation, thereby not providing interoperability with standard IP-based nodes. This paper proposes an alternative approach, leveraging innovations in IP version 6 (IPv6) and Internet Control Message Protocol version 6 (ICMPv6) to integrate delay-tolerant features directly at Layer 3. By embedding these functionalities within the existing IPv6 framework, the proposed IP-compliant solution enhances interoperability, with terrestrial networks enabling DTN nodes to seamlessly communicate with compliant IPv6 nodes. This study provides a detailed comparison of the capabilities of IPv6 and BP version 7, highlighting gaps and opportunities. Based on this analysis, a node architecture is designed to implement the necessary functionalities for DTN, paving the way for more seamless integration of deep-space and terrestrial networks while reducing complexity and improving scalability.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/13/4/163delay-tolerant networking (DTN)IPv6ICMPv6Bundle Protocol (BPv7)deep-space communications |
| spellingShingle | Umberto Pirovano Oriol Fusté Anna Calveras Leveraging IPv6 and ICMPv6 for Delay-Tolerant Networking in Deep Space Technologies delay-tolerant networking (DTN) IPv6 ICMPv6 Bundle Protocol (BPv7) deep-space communications |
| title | Leveraging IPv6 and ICMPv6 for Delay-Tolerant Networking in Deep Space |
| title_full | Leveraging IPv6 and ICMPv6 for Delay-Tolerant Networking in Deep Space |
| title_fullStr | Leveraging IPv6 and ICMPv6 for Delay-Tolerant Networking in Deep Space |
| title_full_unstemmed | Leveraging IPv6 and ICMPv6 for Delay-Tolerant Networking in Deep Space |
| title_short | Leveraging IPv6 and ICMPv6 for Delay-Tolerant Networking in Deep Space |
| title_sort | leveraging ipv6 and icmpv6 for delay tolerant networking in deep space |
| topic | delay-tolerant networking (DTN) IPv6 ICMPv6 Bundle Protocol (BPv7) deep-space communications |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/13/4/163 |
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