Network Working Group S. McHenry Internet Draft Advanced Software Technologies, Ltd. Expires August 22, 2001 22 February 2001 A Standard for the Transmission of IP Datagrams on Rising Visual Incineration Debris draft-mchenry-iporvid-protocol-00.txt Conformance This document is an Internet-Draft and is in full conformance with all provisions of Section 10 of RFC2026. Internet-Drafts are working documents of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), its areas, and its working groups. Note that other groups may also distribute working documents as Internet- Drafts. Internet-Drafts are draft documents valid for a maximum of six months and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any time. It is inappropriate to use Internet-Drafts as reference material or to cite them other than as "work in progress." The list of current Internet-Drafts can be accessed at http://www.ietf.org/ietf/1id-abstracts.txt The list of Internet-Draft Shadow Directories can be accessed at http://www.ietf.org/shadow.html. Status of this Memo This memo describes an experimental method for the transmission of IP datagrams using rising visual incineration debris (RVID). This specification is primarily useful in Very Remote Area Networks. This is an experimental, not recommended standard. Distribution of this memo is unlimited. Overview and Rationale Internet Protocol Datagram Transmission over Rising Visual Incineration Debris (IPoRVID) can provide high availability, low throughput, and low cost service to very remote areas. The connection topology may be configured in either a single point-to- point path or a single point to multiple point path (multicast) for each connection. IPoRVID provides a highly available alternative to traditional communication technologies in very remote areas due to both the lack of requirements for traditional, electrically powered transmission devices and the high availability of materials suitable McHenry Expires August 22, 2001 [Page 1] Internet-Draft IP Datagrams on RVID February 2001 for protocol enablement. IPoRVID does not suffer from traditional signal attenuation present in traditional copper-based mediums, thus enabling the utilization of significantly longer network segments when coupled with the use of a visual magnification enhancement device. Installation requirements and maintenance of transmission facilities are minimal. A single IPoRVID connection is limited to line-of-sight distance. Frame Format Initially, a source of rising visual incineration debris (RVID) must be created. One procedure that has demonstrated its effectiveness is the application of significant heat to a pile of moist wood or leaves. The resulting incineration will produce a sufficient column of RVID for datagram transmission. The datagram is encoded bitwise in large endian order, by allowing and interrupting the flow of RVID. The clocking frequency shall be five thousand (5,000) milliseconds. Demarcation of bits shall be done by introducing an interruption device into the RVID for the duration of the clocking interval. Covering the source of RVID with a wet blanket has been demonstrated to be a suitable device for interruption of the RVID. Dry blankets are not recommended as they tend to become assimilated into the source of RVID. Transmission of zero bits are done by removing the interruption device for duration of one clocking interval. Transmission of one bits are done by removing the interruption device for duration of two clocking intervals. Between each zero or one bit transmitted, one clocking interval of demarcation shall be present. Receipt is accomplished by viewing the RVID and applying the clocking interval to determine the pattern of ones and zeros. In the event that the RVID is not clearly visible, the recipient has the option to either move closer to the source, or to clean their lenses. Discussion In addition to the benefits stated above, additional benefits arise from the wide availability of material for constructing RVID. This material is prevalent in virtually all wilderness areas and many populated areas as well, although use of IPoRVID in populated areas is generally discouraged by local authorities. It is important to note that usage of IPoRVID is limited to days with a wind component less than five (5) knots, with the best results being achieved on calm days. On calm days, the dispersal factor is virtually non-existent, resulting in a significant decrease in the signal attenuation due to distance. IPoRVID is also recommended for use in environments external to buildings and other man-made structures. Attempted use of IPoRVID in certain controlled environments, such as computer rooms, can result McHenry Expires August 22, 2001 [Page 2] Internet-Draft IP Datagrams on RVID February 2001 in high decibel emissions perilous to eardrums. Furthermore, secondary dihydrogen monoxide dispersion systems can inhibit the effectiveness of the IPoRVID protocol in these environments. Shielding is also recommended for the RVID source. (Note: while the term “firewall” could accurately be used to describe this shielding, this term, in common practice, is recognized to have a different meaning when used in the context of data communication and, thus, should be avoided.) Additional shielding is recommended during extended periods of dry weather or on windy days or combinations thereof. Unshielded RVID sources may result in expansion of the RVID source, and significant decrease in the signal to noise ratio (SNR) with the consequent increase in transmission errors. Furthermore, the RVID interruption device operator may become distracted by concerns for personal safety, resulting in a deviation from the established clocking interval. Security Considerations Security is not generally a problem in normal operation, but special measures must be taken (such as data encryption) when IPoRVID is used to carry confidential information. Author's Address Stephen McHenry Advanced Software Technologies, Ltd. 305 Vineyard Town Center, #251 Morgan Hill, CA 95037 Phone: (408) 683-2500 EMail: stephen@softi.com McHenry Expires August 22, 2001 [Page 3]