RISP: address resolution protocol in network layer

Abstract

Conventionally, the network layer (such as IP) to link layer (such as Ethernet and ATM) address translation is done in the link layer. This approach requires link technology-specific solutions such as ARP for Ethernet, and ATMARP or NHRP for ATM. By moving the address resolution function from link layer to network layer, this paper proposes a unified address resolution scheme applicable to current and future network technologies. For NBMA (non-broadcast multi-access) networks, this scheme achieves better implementation efficiency because the conventional scheme would require extra table lookups when the link layer has to consult with network-layer routing function to forward a request that cannot be resolved locally.