Assessing and improving an approach to delay-tolerant networking

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the Bundle Protocol for delay-tolerant networking, identifies its architectural weaknesses through testing in space and ground scenarios, and proposes solutions to enhance its deployability.

Contribution

It provides an assessment of the Bundle Protocol's performance in DTN environments and introduces approaches to address identified architectural weaknesses.

Findings

Architectural weaknesses in the Bundle Protocol were identified.

Testing revealed limitations in the protocol's deployment in realistic scenarios.

Proposed approaches aim to improve the protocol's robustness and deployability.

Abstract

Delay-tolerant networking (DTN) is a term invented to describe and encompass all types of long-delay, disconnected, disrupted or intermittently-connected networks, where mobility and outages or scheduled contacts may be experienced. 'DTN' is also used to refer to the Bundle Protocol, which has been proposed as the one unifying solution for disparate DTN networking scenarios, after originally being designed solely for use in deep space for the 'Interplanetary Internet.' We evaluated the Bundle Protocol by testing it in space and on the ground. We have found architectural weaknesses in the Bundle Protocol that may prevent engineering deployment of this protocol in realistic delay-tolerant networking scenarios, and have proposed approaches to address these weaknesses.