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Disruption Tolerant Networking Last modified: Friday, December 05, 2008
Abbreviated as DTN, Disruption Tolerant Networking is a networking architecture that is designed to provide communications in the most unstable and stressed environments, where the network would normally be subject to frequent and long lasting disruptions and high bit error rates that could severely degrade normal communications. DTN works using different kind of approach than TCP/IP for packet delivery that is more resilient to disruption than TCP/IP. DTN is based on a new experimental protocol called the Bundle Protocol (RFC 5050). BP sits at the application layer of some number of constituent internets, forming a store-and-forward overlay network. The Bundle Protocol (BP) operates as an overlay protocol that links together multiple subnets (such as Ethernet-based LANs) into a single network. The basic idea behind DTN network is that endpoints aren't always continuously connected. In order to facilitate data transfer, DTN uses a store-and-forward approach across routers that is more disruption-tolerant than TCP/IP. However, the DTN approach doesn't necessarily mean that all DTN routers on a network would require large storage capacity in order to maintain end-to-end data integrity. Disruption Tolerant Networks are frequently used in disaster relief missions, peace-keeping missions, and in vehicular networks. Most recently NASA has tested DTN technology for spacecraft communications.
A Networking Idea That's Out of This World NASA's space internet will benefit networks on Earth and there is an open source version too. Bundle Protocol Specification (RFC 5050) This document describes version 6 of the Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN) "bundle" protocol (BP). IT Channel Planet IT Channel Planet provides an in-depth look at expanding business opportunities for the reseller channel. It highlights updated news, technology and business trends for VARs, resellers, managed service providers, system integrators and other channel partners, focusing on the ways these channel partners can capitalize on evolving trends to grow their businesses profitably. Webopedia's "Did You Know...?" Section Use this Webopedia knowledge section for an in-depth overview of specific technologies and occurrences in the areas of Computer Science, The Internet, and Computer Hardware and Software.	Related Categories Network Protocols Network Topologies Networks Related Terms Ethernet network network management networking router store and forward TCP TCP/IP Books Disruption Tolerant Networking Products Shop by Top Models: Stephen Farrell and Vinny Cahill - Delay-and Disruption-tolerant Networking 2 store offers from $76 - $104 Khaled A. Harras - Challenged Networks: Protocol and Architectural Challenges in Delay and Disruption Tolerant Networks 2 store offers from $79 - $121