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PROPOSED STANDARD
Updated by:9008,9010,9685Errata Exist
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)                    T. Winter, Ed.Request for Comments: 6550Category: Standards Track                                P. Thubert, Ed.ISSN: 2070-1721                                            Cisco Systems                                                               A. Brandt                                                           Sigma Designs                                                                  J. Hui                                                   Arch Rock Corporation                                                               R. Kelsey                                                       Ember Corporation                                                                P. Levis                                                     Stanford University                                                               K. Pister                                                           Dust Networks                                                               R. Struik                                             Struik Security Consultancy                                                             JP. Vasseur                                                           Cisco Systems                                                            R. Alexander                                                    Cooper Power Systems                                                              March 2012RPL: IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy NetworksAbstract   Low-Power and Lossy Networks (LLNs) are a class of network in which   both the routers and their interconnect are constrained.  LLN routers   typically operate with constraints on processing power, memory, and   energy (battery power).  Their interconnects are characterized by   high loss rates, low data rates, and instability.  LLNs are comprised   of anything from a few dozen to thousands of routers.  Supported   traffic flows include point-to-point (between devices inside the   LLN), point-to-multipoint (from a central control point to a subset   of devices inside the LLN), and multipoint-to-point (from devices   inside the LLN towards a central control point).  This document   specifies the IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy Networks   (RPL), which provides a mechanism whereby multipoint-to-point traffic   from devices inside the LLN towards a central control point as well   as point-to-multipoint traffic from the central control point to the   devices inside the LLN are supported.  Support for point-to-point   traffic is also available.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                    [Page 1]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012Status of This Memo   This is an Internet Standards Track document.   This document is a product of the Internet Engineering Task Force   (IETF).  It represents the consensus of the IETF community.  It has   received public review and has been approved for publication by the   Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG).  Further information on   Internet Standards is available inSection 2 of RFC 5741.   Information about the current status of this document, any errata,   and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained athttp://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6550.Copyright Notice   Copyright (c) 2012 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the   document authors.  All rights reserved.   This document is subject toBCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal   Provisions Relating to IETF Documents   (http://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of   publication of this document.  Please review these documents   carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect   to this document.  Code Components extracted from this document must   include Simplified BSD License text as described in Section 4.e of   the Trust Legal Provisions and are provided without warranty as   described in the Simplified BSD License.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                    [Page 2]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012Table of Contents1. Introduction ....................................................81.1. Design Principles ..........................................81.2. Expectations of Link-Layer Type ...........................102. Terminology ....................................................103. Protocol Overview ..............................................133.1. Topologies ................................................133.1.1. Constructing Topologies ............................133.1.2. RPL Identifiers ....................................143.1.3. Instances, DODAGs, and DODAG Versions ..............143.2. Upward Routes and DODAG Construction ......................163.2.1. Objective Function (OF) ............................173.2.2. DODAG Repair .......................................173.2.3. Security ...........................................173.2.4. Grounded and Floating DODAGs .......................183.2.5. Local DODAGs .......................................183.2.6. Administrative Preference ..........................183.2.7. Data-Path Validation and Loop Detection ............183.2.8. Distributed Algorithm Operation ....................193.3. Downward Routes and Destination Advertisement .............193.4. Local DODAGs Route Discovery ..............................203.5. Rank Properties ...........................................203.5.1. Rank Comparison (DAGRank()) ........................213.5.2. Rank Relationships .................................223.6. Routing Metrics and Constraints Used by RPL ...............233.7. Loop Avoidance ............................................243.7.1. Greediness and Instability .........................243.7.2. DODAG Loops ........................................263.7.3. DAO Loops ..........................................274. Traffic Flows Supported by RPL .................................274.1. Multipoint-to-Point Traffic ...............................274.2. Point-to-Multipoint Traffic ...............................274.3. Point-to-Point Traffic ....................................275. RPL Instance ...................................................285.1. RPL Instance ID ...........................................296. ICMPv6 RPL Control Message .....................................306.1. RPL Security Fields .......................................326.2. DODAG Information Solicitation (DIS) ......................386.2.1. Format of the DIS Base Object ......................386.2.2. Secure DIS .........................................386.2.3. DIS Options ........................................386.3. DODAG Information Object (DIO) ............................386.3.1. Format of the DIO Base Object ......................396.3.2. Secure DIO .........................................416.3.3. DIO Options ........................................416.4. Destination Advertisement Object (DAO) ....................416.4.1. Format of the DAO Base Object ......................42Winter, et al.               Standards Track                    [Page 3]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20126.4.2. Secure DAO .........................................436.4.3. DAO Options ........................................43      6.5. Destination Advertisement Object Acknowledgement           (DAO-ACK) .................................................436.5.1. Format of the DAO-ACK Base Object ..................446.5.2. Secure DAO-ACK .....................................456.5.3. DAO-ACK Options ....................................456.6. Consistency Check (CC) ....................................456.6.1. Format of the CC Base Object .......................466.6.2. CC Options .........................................476.7. RPL Control Message Options ...............................476.7.1. RPL Control Message Option Generic Format ..........476.7.2. Pad1 ...............................................486.7.3. PadN ...............................................486.7.4. DAG Metric Container ...............................496.7.5. Route Information ..................................506.7.6. DODAG Configuration ................................526.7.7. RPL Target .........................................546.7.8. Transit Information ................................556.7.9. Solicited Information ..............................586.7.10. Prefix Information ................................596.7.11. RPL Target Descriptor .............................637. Sequence Counters ..............................................637.1. Sequence Counter Overview .................................637.2. Sequence Counter Operation ................................648. Upward Routes ..................................................668.1. DIO Base Rules ............................................678.2. Upward Route Discovery and Maintenance ....................678.2.1. Neighbors and Parents within a DODAG Version .......678.2.2. Neighbors and Parents across DODAG Versions ........688.2.3. DIO Message Communication ..........................738.3. DIO Transmission ..........................................748.3.1. Trickle Parameters .................................758.4. DODAG Selection ...........................................758.5. Operation as a Leaf Node ..................................758.6. Administrative Rank .......................................769. Downward Routes ................................................779.1. Destination Advertisement Parents .........................779.2. Downward Route Discovery and Maintenance ..................789.2.1. Maintenance of Path Sequence .......................799.2.2. Generation of DAO Messages .........................799.3. DAO Base Rules ............................................809.4. Structure of DAO Messages .................................809.5. DAO Transmission Scheduling ...............................839.6. Triggering DAO Messages ...................................839.7. Non-Storing Mode ..........................................849.8. Storing Mode ..............................................859.9. Path Control ..............................................86Winter, et al.               Standards Track                    [Page 4]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20129.9.1. Path Control Example ...............................889.10. Multicast Destination Advertisement Messages .............8910. Security Mechanisms ...........................................9010.1. Security Overview ........................................9010.2. Joining a Secure Network .................................9110.3. Installing Keys ..........................................9210.4. Consistency Checks .......................................9310.5. Counters .................................................9310.6. Transmission of Outgoing Packets .........................9410.7. Reception of Incoming Packets ............................9510.7.1. Timestamp Key Checks ..............................9710.8. Coverage of Integrity and Confidentiality ................9710.9. Cryptographic Mode of Operation ..........................9810.9.1. CCM Nonce .........................................9810.9.2. Signatures ........................................9911. Packet Forwarding and Loop Avoidance/Detection ................9911.1. Suggestions for Packet Forwarding ........................9911.2. Loop Avoidance and Detection ............................10111.2.1. Source Node Operation ............................10211.2.2. Router Operation .................................10212. Multicast Operation ..........................................10413. Maintenance of Routing Adjacency .............................10514. Guidelines for Objective Functions ...........................10614.1. Objective Function Behavior .............................10615. Suggestions for Interoperation with Neighbor Discovery .......10816. Summary of Requirements for Interoperable Implementations ....10916.1. Common Requirements .....................................10916.2. Operation as a RPL Leaf Node (Only) .....................11016.3. Operation as a RPL Router ...............................11016.3.1. Support for Upward Routes (Only) .................110           16.3.2. Support for Upward Routes and Downward                   Routes in Non-Storing ............................110           16.3.3. Support for Upward Routes and Downward                   Routes in Storing Mode ...........................11116.4. Items for Future Specification ..........................11117. RPL Constants and Variables ..................................11218. Manageability Considerations .................................11318.1. Introduction ............................................11418.2. Configuration Management ................................11518.2.1. Initialization Mode ..............................115           18.2.2. DIO and DAO Base Message and Options                   Configuration ....................................115           18.2.3. Protocol Parameters to Be Configured on                   Every Router in the LLN ..........................116           18.2.4. Protocol Parameters to Be Configured on                   Every Non-DODAG-Root .............................11718.2.5. Parameters to Be Configured on the DODAG Root ....117Winter, et al.               Standards Track                    [Page 5]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012           18.2.6. Configuration of RPL Parameters Related                   to DAO-Based Mechanisms ..........................118           18.2.7. Configuration of RPL Parameters Related                   to Security Mechanisms ...........................11918.2.8. Default Values ...................................11918.3. Monitoring of RPL Operation .............................12018.3.1. Monitoring a DODAG Parameters ....................120           18.3.2. Monitoring a DODAG Inconsistencies and                   Loop Detection ...................................12118.4. Monitoring of the RPL Data Structures ...................12118.4.1. Candidate Neighbor Data Structure ................121           18.4.2. Destination-Oriented Directed Acyclic                   Graph (DODAG) Table ..............................12218.4.3. Routing Table and DAO Routing Entries ............12218.5. Fault Management ........................................12318.6. Policy ..................................................12418.7. Fault Isolation .........................................12518.8. Impact on Other Protocols ...............................12518.9. Performance Management ..................................12618.10. Diagnostics ............................................12619. Security Considerations ......................................12619.1. Overview ................................................12620. IANA Considerations ..........................................12820.1. RPL Control Message .....................................12820.2. New Registry for RPL Control Codes ......................12820.3. New Registry for the Mode of Operation (MOP) ............12920.4. RPL Control Message Option ..............................13020.5. Objective Code Point (OCP) Registry .....................13120.6. New Registry for the Security Section Algorithm .........13120.7. New Registry for the Security Section Flags .............13220.8. New Registry for Per-KIM Security Levels ................132      20.9. New Registry for DODAG Informational            Solicitation (DIS) Flags ................................133      20.10. New Registry for the DODAG Information Object             (DIO) Flags ............................................134      20.11. New Registry for the Destination Advertisement             Object (DAO) Flags .....................................134      20.12. New Registry for the Destination Advertisement             Object (DAO) Flags .....................................13520.13. New Registry for the Consistency Check (CC) Flags ......13520.14. New Registry for the DODAG Configuration Option Flags ..13620.15. New Registry for the RPL Target Option Flags ...........13620.16. New Registry for the Transit Information Option Flags ..137      20.17. New Registry for the Solicited Information             Option Flags ...........................................13720.18. ICMPv6: Error in Source Routing Header .................13820.19. Link-Local Scope Multicast Address .....................13821. Acknowledgements .............................................138Winter, et al.               Standards Track                    [Page 6]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 201222. Contributors .................................................13923. References ...................................................13923.1. Normative References ....................................13923.2. Informative References ..................................140Appendix A. Example Operation ....................................143      A.1. Example Operation in Storing Mode with Node-Owned           Prefixes .................................................143A.1.1. DIO Messages and PIO ..............................144A.1.2. DAO Messages ......................................145A.1.3. Routing Information Base ..........................145      A.2. Example Operation in Storing Mode with Subnet-Wide           Prefix ...................................................146A.2.1. DIO Messages and PIO ..............................147A.2.2. DAO Messages ......................................148A.2.3. Routing Information Base ..........................148      A.3. Example Operation in Non-Storing Mode with Node-Owned           Prefixes .................................................149A.3.1. DIO Messages and PIO ..............................150A.3.2. DAO Messages ......................................150A.3.3. Routing Information Base ..........................151      A.4. Example Operation in Non-Storing Mode with           Subnet-Wide Prefix .......................................151A.4.1. DIO Messages and PIO ..............................152A.4.2. DAO Messages ......................................153A.4.3. Routing Information Base ..........................153A.5. Example with External Prefixes ...........................154Winter, et al.               Standards Track                    [Page 7]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20121.  Introduction   Low-power and Lossy Networks (LLNs) consist largely of constrained   nodes (with limited processing power, memory, and sometimes energy   when they are battery operated or energy scavenging).  These routers   are interconnected by lossy links, typically supporting only low data   rates, that are usually unstable with relatively low packet delivery   rates.  Another characteristic of such networks is that the traffic   patterns are not simply point-to-point, but in many cases point-to-   multipoint or multipoint-to-point.  Furthermore, such networks may   potentially comprise up to thousands of nodes.  These characteristics   offer unique challenges to a routing solution: the IETF ROLL working   group has defined application-specific routing requirements for a   Low-power and Lossy Network (LLN) routing protocol, specified in   [RFC5867], [RFC5826], [RFC5673], and [RFC5548].   This document specifies the IPv6 Routing Protocol for LLNs (RPL).   Note that although RPL was specified according to the requirements   set forth in the aforementioned requirement documents, its use is in   no way limited to these applications.1.1.  Design Principles   RPL was designed with the objective to meet the requirements spelled   out in [RFC5867], [RFC5826], [RFC5673], and [RFC5548].   A network may run multiple instances of RPL concurrently.  Each such   instance may serve different and potentially antagonistic constraints   or performance criteria.  This document defines how a single instance   operates.   In order to be useful in a wide range of LLN application domains, RPL   separates packet processing and forwarding from the routing   optimization objective.  Examples of such objectives include   minimizing energy, minimizing latency, or satisfying constraints.   This document describes the mode of operation of RPL.  Other   companion documents specify routing Objective Functions.  A RPL   implementation, in support of a particular LLN application, will   include the necessary Objective Function(s) as required by the   application.   RPL operations require bidirectional links.  In some LLN scenarios,   those links may exhibit asymmetric properties.  It is required that   the reachability of a router be verified before the router can be   used as a parent.  RPL expects an external mechanism to be triggered   during the parent selection phase in order to verify link properties   and neighbor reachability.  Neighbor Unreachability Detection (NUD)   is such a mechanism, but alternates are possible, includingWinter, et al.               Standards Track                    [Page 8]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) [RFC5881] and hints from   lower layers via Layer 2 (L2) triggers like [RFC5184].  In a general   fashion, a detection mechanism that is reactive to traffic is favored   in order to minimize the cost of monitoring links that are not being   used.   RPL also expects an external mechanism to access and transport some   control information, referred to as the "RPL Packet Information", in   data packets.  The RPL Packet Information is defined inSection 11.2   and enables the association of a data packet with a RPL Instance and   the validation of RPL routing states.  The RPL option [RFC6553] is an   example of such mechanism.  The mechanism is required for all packets   except when strict source routing is used (that is for packets going   Downward in Non-Storing mode as detailed further inSection 9), which   by nature prevents endless loops and alleviates the need for the RPL   Packet Information.  Future companion specifications may propose   alternate ways to carry the RPL Packet Information in the IPv6   packets and may extend the RPL Packet Information to support   additional features.   RPL provides a mechanism to disseminate information over the   dynamically formed network topology.  This dissemination enables   minimal configuration in the nodes, allowing nodes to operate mostly   autonomously.  This mechanism uses Trickle [RFC6206] to optimize the   dissemination as described inSection 8.3.   In some applications, RPL assembles topologies of routers that own   independent prefixes.  Those prefixes may or may not be aggregatable   depending on the origin of the routers.  A prefix that is owned by a   router is advertised as on-link.   RPL also introduces the capability to bind a subnet together with a   common prefix and to route within that subnet.  A source can inject   information about the subnet to be disseminated by RPL, and that   source is authoritative for that subnet.  Because many LLN links have   non-transitive properties, a common prefix that RPL disseminates over   the subnet must not be advertised as on-link.   In particular, RPL may disseminate IPv6 Neighbor Discovery (ND)   information such as the [RFC4861] Prefix Information Option (PIO) and   the [RFC4191] Route Information Option (RIO).  ND information that is   disseminated by RPL conserves all its original semantics for router   to host, with limited extensions for router to router, though it is   not to be confused with routing advertisements and it is never to be   directly redistributed in another routing protocol.  A RPL node often   combines host and router behaviors.  As a host, it will process the   options as specified in [RFC4191], [RFC4861], [RFC4862], and   [RFC6275].  As a router, the RPL node may advertise the informationWinter, et al.               Standards Track                    [Page 9]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   from the options as required for the specific link, for instance, in   an ND Router Advertisement (RA) message, though the exact operation   is out of scope.   A set of companion documents to this specification will provide   further guidance in the form of applicability statements specifying a   set of operating points appropriate to the Building Automation, Home   Automation, Industrial, and Urban application scenarios.1.2.  Expectations of Link-Layer Type   In compliance with the layered architecture of IP, RPL does not rely   on any particular features of a specific link-layer technology.  RPL   is designed to be able to operate over a variety of different link   layers, including ones that are constrained, potentially lossy, or   typically utilized in conjunction with highly constrained host or   router devices, such as but not limited to, low-power wireless or PLC   (Power Line Communication) technologies.   Implementers may find [RFC3819] a useful reference when designing a   link-layer interface between RPL and a particular link-layer   technology.2.  Terminology   The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",   "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "NOT RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and   "OPTIONAL" in this document are to be interpreted as described inRFC2119 [RFC2119].   Additionally, this document uses terminology from [ROLL-TERMS], and   introduces the following terminology:   DAG: Directed Acyclic Graph.  A directed graph having the property         that all edges are oriented in such a way that no cycles exist.         All edges are contained in paths oriented toward and         terminating at one or more root nodes.   DAG root: A DAG root is a node within the DAG that has no outgoing         edge.  Because the graph is acyclic, by definition, all DAGs         must have at least one DAG root and all paths terminate at a         DAG root.   Destination-Oriented DAG (DODAG): A DAG rooted at a single         destination, i.e., at a single DAG root (the DODAG root) with         no outgoing edges.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 10]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   DODAG root: A DODAG root is the DAG root of a DODAG.  The DODAG root         may act as a border router for the DODAG; in particular, it may         aggregate routes in the DODAG and may redistribute DODAG routes         into other routing protocols.   Virtual DODAG root: A Virtual DODAG root is the result of two or more         RPL routers, for instance, 6LoWPAN Border Routers (6LBRs),         coordinating to synchronize DODAG state and act in concert as         if they are a single DODAG root (with multiple interfaces),         with respect to the LLN.  The coordination most likely occurs         between powered devices over a reliable transit link, and the         details of that scheme are out of scope for this specification         (to be defined in future companion specifications).   Up:  Up refers to the direction from leaf nodes towards DODAG roots,         following DODAG edges.  This follows the common terminology         used in graphs and depth-first-search, where vertices further         from the root are "deeper" or "down" and vertices closer to the         root are "shallower" or "up".   Down: Down refers to the direction from DODAG roots towards leaf         nodes, in the reverse direction of DODAG edges.  This follows         the common terminology used in graphs and depth-first-search,         where vertices further from the root are "deeper" or "down" and         vertices closer to the root are "shallower" or "up".   Rank: A node's Rank defines the node's individual position relative         to other nodes with respect to a DODAG root.  Rank strictly         increases in the Down direction and strictly decreases in the         Up direction.  The exact way Rank is computed depends on the         DAG's Objective Function (OF).  The Rank may analogously track         a simple topological distance, may be calculated as a function         of link metrics, and may consider other properties such as         constraints.   Objective Function (OF): An OF defines how routing metrics,         optimization objectives, and related functions are used to         compute Rank.  Furthermore, the OF dictates how parents in the         DODAG are selected and, thus, the DODAG formation.   Objective Code Point (OCP): An OCP is an identifier that indicates         which Objective Function the DODAG uses.   RPLInstanceID: A RPLInstanceID is a unique identifier within a         network.  DODAGs with the same RPLInstanceID share the same         Objective Function.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 11]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   RPL Instance: A RPL Instance is a set of one or more DODAGs that         share a RPLInstanceID.  At most, a RPL node can belong to one         DODAG in a RPL Instance.  Each RPL Instance operates         independently of other RPL Instances.  This document describes         operation within a single RPL Instance.   DODAGID: A DODAGID is the identifier of a DODAG root.  The DODAGID is         unique within the scope of a RPL Instance in the LLN.  The         tuple (RPLInstanceID, DODAGID) uniquely identifies a DODAG.   DODAG Version: A DODAG Version is a specific iteration ("Version") of         a DODAG with a given DODAGID.   DODAGVersionNumber: A DODAGVersionNumber is a sequential counter that         is incremented by the root to form a new Version of a DODAG.  A         DODAG Version is identified uniquely by the (RPLInstanceID,         DODAGID, DODAGVersionNumber) tuple.   Goal: The Goal is an application-specific goal that is defined         outside the scope of RPL.  Any node that roots a DODAG will         need to know about this Goal to decide whether or not the Goal         can be satisfied.  A typical Goal is to construct the DODAG         according to a specific Objective Function and to keep         connectivity to a set of hosts (e.g., to use an Objective         Function that minimizes a metric and is connected to a specific         database host to store the collected data).   Grounded: A DODAG is grounded when the DODAG root can satisfy the         Goal.   Floating: A DODAG is floating if it is not grounded.  A floating         DODAG is not expected to have the properties required to         satisfy the goal.  It may, however, provide connectivity to         other nodes within the DODAG.   DODAG parent: A parent of a node within a DODAG is one of the         immediate successors of the node on a path towards the DODAG         root.  A DODAG parent's Rank is lower than the node's.  (SeeSection 3.5.1).   Sub-DODAG: The sub-DODAG of a node is the set of other nodes whose         paths to the DODAG root pass through that node.  Nodes in the         sub-DODAG of a node have a greater Rank than that node.  (SeeSection 3.5.1).   Local DODAG: Local DODAGs contain one and only one root node, and         they allow that single root node to allocate and manage a RPL         Instance, identified by a local RPLInstanceID, withoutWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 12]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012         coordination with other nodes.  Typically, this is done in         order to optimize routes to a destination within the LLN.  (SeeSection 5).   Global DODAG: A Global DODAG uses a global RPLInstanceID that may be         coordinated among several other nodes.  (SeeSection 5).   DIO: DODAG Information Object (seeSection 6.3)   DAO: Destination Advertisement Object (seeSection 6.4)   DIS: DODAG Information Solicitation (seeSection 6.2)   CC: Consistency Check (seeSection 6.6)   As they form networks, LLN devices often mix the roles of host and   router when compared to traditional IP networks.  In this document,   "host" refers to an LLN device that can generate but does not forward   RPL traffic; "router" refers to an LLN device that can forward as   well as generate RPL traffic; and "node" refers to any RPL device,   either a host or a router.3.  Protocol Overview   The aim of this section is to describe RPL in the spirit of   [RFC4101].  Protocol details can be found in further sections.3.1.  Topologies   This section describes the basic RPL topologies that may be formed,   and the rules by which these are constructed, i.e., the rules   governing DODAG formation.3.1.1.  Constructing Topologies   LLNs, such as Radio Networks, do not typically have predefined   topologies, for example, those imposed by point-to-point wires, so   RPL has to discover links and then select peers sparingly.   In many cases, because Layer 2 ranges overlap only partially, RPL   forms non-transitive / Non-Broadcast Multi-Access (NBMA) network   topologies upon which it computes routes.   RPL routes are optimized for traffic to or from one or more roots   that act as sinks for the topology.  As a result, RPL organizes a   topology as a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) that is partitioned intoWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 13]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   one or more Destination Oriented DAGs (DODAGs), one DODAG per sink.   If the DAG has multiple roots, then it is expected that the roots are   federated by a common backbone, such as a transit link.3.1.2.  RPL Identifiers   RPL uses four values to identify and maintain a topology:   o  The first is a RPLInstanceID.  A RPLInstanceID identifies a set of      one or more Destination Oriented DAGs (DODAGs).  A network may      have multiple RPLInstanceIDs, each of which defines an independent      set of DODAGs, which may be optimized for different Objective      Functions (OFs) and/or applications.  The set of DODAGs identified      by a RPLInstanceID is called a RPL Instance.  All DODAGs in the      same RPL Instance use the same OF.   o  The second is a DODAGID.  The scope of a DODAGID is a RPL      Instance.  The combination of RPLInstanceID and DODAGID uniquely      identifies a single DODAG in the network.  A RPL Instance may have      multiple DODAGs, each of which has an unique DODAGID.   o  The third is a DODAGVersionNumber.  The scope of a      DODAGVersionNumber is a DODAG.  A DODAG is sometimes reconstructed      from the DODAG root, by incrementing the DODAGVersionNumber.  The      combination of RPLInstanceID, DODAGID, and DODAGVersionNumber      uniquely identifies a DODAG Version.   o  The fourth is Rank.  The scope of Rank is a DODAG Version.  Rank      establishes a partial order over a DODAG Version, defining      individual node positions with respect to the DODAG root.3.1.3.  Instances, DODAGs, and DODAG Versions   A RPL Instance contains one or more DODAG roots.  A RPL Instance may   provide routes to certain destination prefixes, reachable via the   DODAG roots or alternate paths within the DODAG.  These roots may   operate independently, or they may coordinate over a network that is   not necessarily as constrained as an LLN.   A RPL Instance may comprise:   o  a single DODAG with a single root      *  For example, a DODAG optimized to minimize latency rooted at a         single centralized lighting controller in a Home Automation         application.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 14]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   o  multiple uncoordinated DODAGs with independent roots (differing      DODAGIDs)      *  For example, multiple data collection points in an urban data         collection application that do not have suitable connectivity         to coordinate with each other or that use the formation of         multiple DODAGs as a means to dynamically and autonomously         partition the network.   o  a single DODAG with a virtual root that coordinates LLN sinks      (with the same DODAGID) over a backbone network.      *  For example, multiple border routers operating with a reliable         transit link, e.g., in support of an IPv6 Low-Power Wireless         Personal Area Network (6LoWPAN) application, that are capable         of acting as logically equivalent interfaces to the sink of the         same DODAG.   o  a combination of the above as suited to some application scenario.   Each RPL packet is associated with a particular RPLInstanceID (seeSection 11.2) and, therefore, RPL Instance (Section 5).  The   provisioning or automated discovery of a mapping between a   RPLInstanceID and a type or service of application traffic is out of   scope for this specification (to be defined in future companion   specifications).   Figure 1 depicts an example of a RPL Instance comprising three DODAGs   with DODAG roots R1, R2, and R3.  Each of these DODAG roots   advertises the same RPLInstanceID.  The lines depict connectivity   between parents and children.   Figure 2 depicts how a DODAGVersionNumber increment leads to a new   DODAG Version.  This depiction illustrates a DODAGVersionNumber   increment that results in a different DODAG topology.  Note that a   new DODAG Version does not always imply a different DODAG topology.   To accommodate certain topology changes requires a new DODAG Version,   as described later in this specification.   In the following examples, please note that tree-like structures are   depicted for simplicity, although the DODAG structure allows for each   node to have multiple parents when the connectivity supports it.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 15]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012     +----------------------------------------------------------------+     |                                                                |     | +--------------+                                               |     | |              |                                               |     | |     (R1)     |            (R2)                   (R3)        |     | |     /  \     |            /| \                  / |  \       |     | |    /    \    |           / |  \                /  |   \      |     | |  (A)    (B)  |         (C) |  (D)     ...    (F) (G)  (H)    |     | |  /|\     |\  |         /   | / |\             |\  |    |     |     | | : : :    : : |        :   (E)  : :            :  `:    :     |     | |              |            / \                                |     | +--------------+           :   :                               |     |      DODAG                                                     |     |                                                                |     +----------------------------------------------------------------+                                RPL Instance                          Figure 1: RPL Instance            +----------------+                +----------------+            |                |                |                |            |      (R1)      |                |      (R1)      |            |      /  \      |                |      /         |            |     /    \     |                |     /          |            |   (A)    (B)   |         \      |   (A)          |            |   /|\   / |\   |    ------\     |   /|\          |            |  : : (C)  : :  |           \    |  : : (C)       |            |                |           /    |        \       |            |                |    ------/     |         \      |            |                |         /      |         (B)    |            |                |                |          |\    |            |                |                |          : :   |            |                |                |                |            +----------------+                +----------------+                Version N                        Version N+1                          Figure 2: DODAG Version3.2.  Upward Routes and DODAG Construction   RPL provisions routes Up towards DODAG roots, forming a DODAG   optimized according to an Objective Function (OF).  RPL nodes   construct and maintain these DODAGs through DODAG Information Object   (DIO) messages.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 16]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20123.2.1.  Objective Function (OF)   The Objective Function (OF) defines how RPL nodes select and optimize   routes within a RPL Instance.  The OF is identified by an Objective   Code Point (OCP) within the DIO Configuration option.  An OF defines   how nodes translate one or more metrics and constraints, which are   themselves defined in [RFC6551], into a value called Rank, which   approximates the node's distance from a DODAG root.  An OF also   defines how nodes select parents.  Further details may be found inSection 14, [RFC6551], [RFC6552], and related companion   specifications.3.2.2.  DODAG Repair   A DODAG root institutes a global repair operation by incrementing the   DODAGVersionNumber.  This initiates a new DODAG Version.  Nodes in   the new DODAG Version can choose a new position whose Rank is not   constrained by their Rank within the old DODAG Version.   RPL also supports mechanisms that may be used for local repair within   the DODAG Version.  The DIO message specifies the necessary   parameters as configured from and controlled by policy at the DODAG   root.3.2.3.  Security   RPL supports message confidentiality and integrity.  It is designed   such that link-layer mechanisms can be used when available and   appropriate; yet, in their absence, RPL can use its own mechanisms.   RPL has three basic security modes.   In the first, called "unsecured", RPL control messages are sent   without any additional security mechanisms.  Unsecured mode does not   imply that the RPL network is unsecure: it could be using other   present security primitives (e.g., link-layer security) to meet   application security requirements.   In the second, called "preinstalled", nodes joining a RPL Instance   have preinstalled keys that enable them to process and generate   secured RPL messages.   The third mode is called "authenticated".  In authenticated mode,   nodes have preinstalled keys as in preinstalled mode, but the   preinstalled key may only be used to join a RPL Instance as a leaf.   Joining an authenticated RPL Instance as a router requires obtaining   a key from an authentication authority.  The process by which this   key is obtained is out of scope for this specification.  Note that   this specification alone does not provide sufficient detail for a RPLWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 17]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   implementation to securely operate in authenticated mode.  For a RPL   implementation to operate securely in authenticated mode, it is   necessary for a future companion specification to detail the   mechanisms by which a node obtains/requests the authentication   material (e.g., key, certificate) and to determine from where that   material should be obtained.  See alsoSection 10.3.3.2.4.  Grounded and Floating DODAGs   DODAGs can be grounded or floating: the DODAG root advertises which   is the case.  A grounded DODAG offers connectivity to hosts that are   required for satisfying the application-defined goal.  A floating   DODAG is not expected to satisfy the goal; in most cases, it only   provides routes to nodes within the DODAG.  Floating DODAGs may be   used, for example, to preserve interconnectivity during repair.3.2.5.  Local DODAGs   RPL nodes can optimize routes to a destination within an LLN by   forming a Local DODAG whose DODAG root is the desired destination.   Unlike global DAGs, which can consist of multiple DODAGs, local DAGs   have one and only one DODAG and therefore one DODAG root.  Local   DODAGs can be constructed on demand.3.2.6.  Administrative Preference   An implementation/deployment may specify that some DODAG roots should   be used over others through an administrative preference.   Administrative preference offers a way to control traffic and   engineer DODAG formation in order to better support application   requirements or needs.3.2.7.  Data-Path Validation and Loop Detection   The low-power and lossy nature of LLNs motivates RPL's use of on-   demand loop detection using data packets.  Because data traffic can   be infrequent, maintaining a routing topology that is constantly up   to date with the physical topology can waste energy.  Typical LLNs   exhibit variations in physical connectivity that are transient and   innocuous to traffic, but that would be costly to track closely from   the control plane.  Transient and infrequent changes in connectivity   need not be addressed by RPL until there is data to send.  This   aspect of RPL's design draws from existing, highly used LLN protocols   as well as extensive experimental and deployment evidence on its   efficacy.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 18]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   The RPL Packet Information that is transported with data packets   includes the Rank of the transmitter.  An inconsistency between the   routing decision for a packet (Upward or Downward) and the Rank   relationship between the two nodes indicates a possible loop.  On   receiving such a packet, a node institutes a local repair operation.   For example, if a node receives a packet flagged as moving in the   Upward direction, and if that packet records that the transmitter is   of a lower (lesser) Rank than the receiving node, then the receiving   node is able to conclude that the packet has not progressed in the   Upward direction and that the DODAG is inconsistent.3.2.8.  Distributed Algorithm Operation   A high-level overview of the distributed algorithm, which constructs   the DODAG, is as follows:   o  Some nodes are configured to be DODAG roots, with associated DODAG      configurations.   o  Nodes advertise their presence, affiliation with a DODAG, routing      cost, and related metrics by sending link-local multicast DIO      messages to all-RPL-nodes.   o  Nodes listen for DIOs and use their information to join a new      DODAG (thus, selecting DODAG parents), or to maintain an existing      DODAG, according to the specified Objective Function and Rank of      their neighbors.   o  Nodes provision routing table entries, for the destinations      specified by the DIO message, via their DODAG parents in the DODAG      Version.  Nodes that decide to join a DODAG can provision one or      more DODAG parents as the next hop for the default route and a      number of other external routes for the associated instance.3.3.  Downward Routes and Destination Advertisement   RPL uses Destination Advertisement Object (DAO) messages to establish   Downward routes.  DAO messages are an optional feature for   applications that require point-to-multipoint (P2MP) or point-to-   point (P2P) traffic.  RPL supports two modes of Downward traffic:   Storing (fully stateful) or Non-Storing (fully source routed); seeSection 9.  Any given RPL Instance is either storing or non-storing.   In both cases, P2P packets travel Up toward a DODAG root then Down to   the final destination (unless the destination is on the Upward   route).  In the Non-Storing case, the packet will travel all the way   to a DODAG root before traveling Down.  In the Storing case, theWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 19]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   packet may be directed Down towards the destination by a common   ancestor of the source and the destination prior to reaching a DODAG   root.   As of the writing of this specification, no implementation is   expected to support both Storing and Non-Storing modes of operation.   Most implementations are expected to support either no Downward   routes, Non-Storing mode only, or Storing mode only.  Other modes of   operation, such as a hybrid mix of Storing and Non-Storing mode, are   out of scope for this specification and may be described in other   companion specifications.   This specification describes a basic mode of operation in support of   P2P traffic.  Note that more optimized P2P solutions may be described   in companion specifications.3.4.  Local DODAGs Route Discovery   Optionally, a RPL network can support on-demand discovery of DODAGs   to specific destinations within an LLN.  Such Local DODAGs behave   slightly differently than Global DODAGs: they are uniquely defined by   the combination of DODAGID and RPLInstanceID.  The RPLInstanceID   denotes whether a DODAG is a Local DODAG.3.5.  Rank Properties   The Rank of a node is a scalar representation of the location of that   node within a DODAG Version.  The Rank is used to avoid and detect   loops and, as such, must demonstrate certain properties.  The exact   calculation of the Rank is left to the Objective Function.  Even   though the specific computation of the Rank is left to the Objective   Function, the Rank must implement generic properties regardless of   the Objective Function.   In particular, the Rank of the nodes must monotonically decrease as   the DODAG Version is followed towards the DODAG destination.  In that   regard, the Rank can be considered a scalar representation of the   location or radius of a node within a DODAG Version.   The details of how the Objective Function computes Rank are out of   scope for this specification, although that computation may depend,   for example, on parents, link metrics, node metrics, and the node   configuration and policies.  SeeSection 14 for more information.   The Rank is not a path cost, although its value can be derived from   and influenced by path metrics.  The Rank has properties of its own   that are not necessarily those of all metrics:Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 20]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Type: The Rank is an abstract numeric value.   Function: The Rank is the expression of a relative position within a         DODAG Version with regard to neighbors, and it is not         necessarily a good indication or a proper expression of a         distance or a path cost to the root.   Stability: The stability of the Rank determines the stability of the         routing topology.  Some dampening or filtering is RECOMMENDED         to keep the topology stable; thus, the Rank does not         necessarily change as fast as some link or node metrics would.         A new DODAG Version would be a good opportunity to reconcile         the discrepancies that might form over time between metrics and         Ranks within a DODAG Version.   Properties: The Rank is incremented in a strictly monotonic fashion,         and it can be used to validate a progression from or towards         the root.  A metric, like bandwidth or jitter, does not         necessarily exhibit this property.   Abstract: The Rank does not have a physical unit, but rather a range         of increment per hop, where the assignment of each increment is         to be determined by the Objective Function.   The Rank value feeds into DODAG parent selection, according to the   RPL loop-avoidance strategy.  Once a parent has been added, and a   Rank value for the node within the DODAG has been advertised, the   node's further options with regard to DODAG parent selection and   movement within the DODAG are restricted in favor of loop avoidance.3.5.1.  Rank Comparison (DAGRank())   Rank may be thought of as a fixed-point number, where the position of   the radix point between the integer part and the fractional part is   determined by MinHopRankIncrease.  MinHopRankIncrease is the minimum   increase in Rank between a node and any of its DODAG parents.  A   DODAG root provisions MinHopRankIncrease.  MinHopRankIncrease creates   a trade-off between hop cost precision and the maximum number of hops   a network can support.  A very large MinHopRankIncrease, for example,   allows precise characterization of a given hop's effect on Rank but   cannot support many hops.   When an Objective Function computes Rank, the Objective Function   operates on the entire (i.e., 16-bit) Rank quantity.  When Rank is   compared, e.g., for determination of parent relationships or loop   detection, the integer portion of the Rank is to be used.  TheWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 21]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   integer portion of the Rank is computed by the DAGRank() macro as   follows, where floor(x) is the function that evaluates to the   greatest integer less than or equal to x:              DAGRank(rank) = floor(rank/MinHopRankIncrease)   For example, if a 16-bit Rank quantity is decimal 27, and the   MinHopRankIncrease is decimal 16, then DAGRank(27) = floor(1.6875) =   1.  The integer part of the Rank is 1 and the fractional part is   11/16.   Following the conventions in this document, using the macro   DAGRank(node) may be interpreted as DAGRank(node.rank), where   node.rank is the Rank value as maintained by the node.   A Node A has a Rank less than the Rank of a Node B if DAGRank(A) is   less than DAGRank(B).   A Node A has a Rank equal to the Rank of a Node B if DAGRank(A) is   equal to DAGRank(B).   A Node A has a Rank greater than the Rank of a Node B if DAGRank(A)   is greater than DAGRank(B).3.5.2.  Rank Relationships   Rank computations maintain the following properties for any nodes M   and N that are neighbors in the LLN:   DAGRank(M) is less than DAGRank(N):      In this case, the position of M is closer to the DODAG root than      the position of N.  Node M may safely be a DODAG parent for Node N      without risk of creating a loop.  Further, for a Node N, all      parents in the DODAG parent set must be of a Rank less than      DAGRank(N).  In other words, the Rank presented by a Node N MUST      be greater than that presented by any of its parents.   DAGRank(M) equals DAGRank(N):      In this case, the positions of M and N within the DODAG and with      respect to the DODAG root are similar or identical.  Routing      through a node with equal Rank may cause a routing loop (i.e., if      that node chooses to route through a node with equal Rank as      well).Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 22]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   DAGRank(M) is greater than DAGRank(N):      In this case, the position of M is farther from the DODAG root      than the position of N.  Further, Node M may in fact be in the      sub-DODAG of Node N.  If Node N selects Node M as DODAG parent,      there is a risk of creating a loop.   As an example, the Rank could be computed in such a way so as to   closely track ETX (expected transmission count, a fairly common   routing metric used in LLN and defined in [RFC6551]) when the metric   that an Objective Function minimizes is ETX, or latency, or in a more   complicated way as appropriate to the Objective Function being used   within the DODAG.3.6.  Routing Metrics and Constraints Used by RPL   Routing metrics are used by routing protocols to compute shortest   paths.  Interior Gateway Protocols (IGPs) such as IS-IS ([RFC5120])   and OSPF ([RFC4915]) use static link metrics.  Such link metrics can   simply reflect the bandwidth or can also be computed according to a   polynomial function of several metrics defining different link   characteristics.  Some routing protocols support more than one   metric: in the vast majority of the cases, one metric is used per   (sub-)topology.  Less often, a second metric may be used as a   tiebreaker in the presence of Equal Cost Multiple Paths (ECMPs).  The   optimization of multiple metrics is known as an NP-complete problem   and is sometimes supported by some centralized path computation   engine.   In contrast, LLNs do require the support of both static and dynamic   metrics.  Furthermore, both link and node metrics are required.  In   the case of RPL, it is virtually impossible to define one metric, or   even a composite metric, that will satisfy all use cases.   In addition, RPL supports constraint-based routing where constraints   may be applied to both link and nodes.  If a link or a node does not   satisfy a required constraint, it is "pruned" from the candidate   neighbor set, thus leading to a constrained shortest path.   An Objective Function specifies the objectives used to compute the   (constrained) path.  Furthermore, nodes are configured to support a   set of metrics and constraints and select their parents in the DODAG   according to the metrics and constraints advertised in the DIO   messages.  Upstream and Downstream metrics may be merged or   advertised separately depending on the OF and the metrics.  When they   are advertised separately, it may happen that the set of DIO parentsWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 23]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   is different from the set of DAO parents (a DAO parent is a node to   which unicast DAO messages are sent).  Yet, all are DODAG parents   with regard to the rules for Rank computation.   The Objective Function is decoupled from the routing metrics and   constraints used by RPL.  Whereas the OF dictates rules such as DODAG   parent selection, load balancing, and so on, the set of metrics   and/or constraints used, and thus those that determine the preferred   path, are based on the information carried within the DAG container   option in DIO messages.   The set of supported link/node constraints and metrics is specified   in [RFC6551].   Example 1: Shortest path: path offering the shortest end-to-end              delay.   Example 2: Shortest Constrained path: the path that does not traverse              any battery-operated node and that optimizes the path              reliability.3.7.  Loop Avoidance   RPL tries to avoid creating loops when undergoing topology changes   and includes Rank-based data-path validation mechanisms for detecting   loops when they do occur (seeSection 11 for more details).  In   practice, this means that RPL guarantees neither loop-free path   selection nor tight delay convergence times, but it can detect and   repair a loop as soon as it is used.  RPL uses this loop detection to   ensure that packets make forward progress within the DODAG Version   and trigger repairs when necessary.3.7.1.  Greediness and Instability   A node is greedy if it attempts to move deeper (increase Rank) in the   DODAG Version in order to increase the size of the parent set or   improve some other metric.  Once a node has joined a DODAG Version,   RPL disallows certain behaviors, including greediness, in order to   prevent resulting instabilities in the DODAG Version.   Suppose a node is willing to receive and process a DIO message from a   node in its own sub-DODAG and, in general, a node deeper than itself.   In this case, a possibility exists that a feedback loop is created,   wherein two or more nodes continue to try and move in the DODAG   Version while attempting to optimize against each other.  In some   cases, this will result in instability.  It is for this reason that   RPL limits the cases where a node may process DIO messages from   deeper nodes to some form of local repair.  This approach creates anWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 24]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   "event horizon", whereby a node cannot be influenced beyond some   limit into an instability by the action of nodes that may be in its   own sub-DODAG.3.7.1.1.  Example: Greedy Parent Selection and Instability         (A)                    (A)                    (A)          |\                     |\                     |\          | `-----.              | `-----.              | `-----.          |        \             |        \             |        \         (B)       (C)          (B)        \            |        (C)                                  \        |            |        /                                   `-----. |            | .-----'                                          \|            |/                                          (C)          (B)              -1-                    -2-                    -3-                  Figure 3: Greedy DODAG Parent Selection   Figure 3 depicts a DODAG in three different configurations.  A usable   link between (B) and (C) exists in all three configurations.  In   Figure 3-1, Node (A) is a DODAG parent for Nodes (B) and (C).  In   Figure 3-2, Node (A) is a DODAG parent for Nodes (B) and (C), and   Node (B) is also a DODAG parent for Node (C).  In Figure 3-3, Node   (A) is a DODAG parent for Nodes (B) and (C), and Node (C) is also a   DODAG parent for Node (B).   If a RPL node is too greedy, in that it attempts to optimize for an   additional number of parents beyond its most preferred parents, then   an instability can result.  Consider the DODAG illustrated in   Figure 3-1.  In this example, Nodes (B) and (C) may most prefer Node   (A) as a DODAG parent, but we will consider the case when they are   operating under the greedy condition that will try to optimize for   two parents.   o  Let Figure 3-1 be the initial condition.   o  Suppose Node (C) first is able to leave the DODAG and rejoin at a      lower Rank, taking both Nodes (A) and (B) as DODAG parents as      depicted in Figure 3-2.  Now Node (C) is deeper than both Nodes      (A) and (B), and Node (C) is satisfied to have two DODAG parents.   o  Suppose Node (B), in its greediness, is willing to receive and      process a DIO message from Node (C) (against the rules of RPL),      and then Node (B) leaves the DODAG and rejoins at a lower Rank,Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 25]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012      taking both Nodes (A) and (C) as DODAG parents.  Now Node (B) is      deeper than both Nodes (A) and (C) and is satisfied with two DAG      parents.   o  Then, Node (C), because it is also greedy, will leave and rejoin      deeper, to again get two parents and have a lower Rank then both      of them.   o  Next, Node (B) will again leave and rejoin deeper, to again get      two parents.   o  Again, Node (C) leaves and rejoins deeper.   o  The process will repeat, and the DODAG will oscillate between      Figure 3-2 and Figure 3-3 until the nodes count to infinity and      restart the cycle again.   o  This cycle can be averted through mechanisms in RPL:      *  Nodes (B) and (C) stay at a Rank sufficient to attach to their         most preferred parent (A) and don't go for any deeper (worse)         alternate parents (Nodes are not greedy).      *  Nodes (B) and (C) do not process DIO messages from nodes deeper         than themselves (because such nodes are possibly in their own         sub-DODAGs).   These mechanisms are further described inSection 8.2.2.4.3.7.2.  DODAG Loops   A DODAG loop may occur when a node detaches from the DODAG and   reattaches to a device in its prior sub-DODAG.  In particular, this   may happen when DIO messages are missed.  Strict use of the   DODAGVersionNumber can eliminate this type of loop, but this type of   loop may possibly be encountered when using some local repair   mechanisms.   For example, consider the local repair mechanism that allows a node   to detach from the DODAG, advertise a Rank of INFINITE_RANK (in order   to poison its routes / inform its sub-DODAG), and then reattach to   the DODAG.  In some of these cases, the node may reattach to its own   prior-sub-DODAG, causing a DODAG loop, because the poisoning may fail   if the INFINITE_RANK advertisements are lost in the LLN environment.   (In this case, the Rank-based data-path validation mechanisms would   eventually detect and trigger correction of the loop).Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 26]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20123.7.3.  DAO Loops   A DAO loop may occur when the parent has a route installed upon   receiving and processing a DAO message from a child, but the child   has subsequently cleaned up the related DAO state.  This loop happens   when a No-Path (a DAO message that invalidates a previously announced   prefix, seeSection 6.4.3) was missed and persists until all state   has been cleaned up.  RPL includes an optional mechanism to   acknowledge DAO messages, which may mitigate the impact of a single   DAO message being missed.  RPL includes loop detection mechanisms   that mitigate the impact of DAO loops and trigger their repair.  (SeeSection 11.2.2.3.)4.  Traffic Flows Supported by RPL   RPL supports three basic traffic flows: multipoint-to-point (MP2P),   point-to-multipoint (P2MP), and point-to-point (P2P).4.1.  Multipoint-to-Point Traffic   Multipoint-to-point (MP2P) is a dominant traffic flow in many LLN   applications ([RFC5867], [RFC5826], [RFC5673], and [RFC5548]).  The   destinations of MP2P flows are designated nodes that have some   application significance, such as providing connectivity to the   larger Internet or core private IP network.  RPL supports MP2P   traffic by allowing MP2P destinations to be reached via DODAG roots.4.2.  Point-to-Multipoint Traffic   Point-to-multipoint (P2MP) is a traffic pattern required by several   LLN applications ([RFC5867], [RFC5826], [RFC5673], and [RFC5548]).   RPL supports P2MP traffic by using a destination advertisement   mechanism that provisions Down routes toward destinations (prefixes,   addresses, or multicast groups), and away from roots.  Destination   advertisements can update routing tables as the underlying DODAG   topology changes.4.3.  Point-to-Point Traffic   RPL DODAGs provide a basic structure for point-to-point (P2P)   traffic.  For a RPL network to support P2P traffic, a root must be   able to route packets to a destination.  Nodes within the network may   also have routing tables to destinations.  A packet flows towards a   root until it reaches an ancestor that has a known route to the   destination.  As pointed out later in this document, in the most   constrained case (when nodes cannot store routes), that common   ancestor may be the DODAG root.  In other cases, it may be a node   closer to both the source and destination.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 27]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   RPL also supports the case where a P2P destination is a 'one-hop'   neighbor.   RPL neither specifies nor precludes additional mechanisms for   computing and installing potentially more optimal routes to support   arbitrary P2P traffic.5.  RPL Instance   Within a given LLN, there may be multiple, logically independent RPL   Instances.  A RPL node may belong to multiple RPL Instances, and it   may act as a router in some and as a leaf in others.  This document   describes how a single instance behaves.   There are two types of RPL Instances: Local and Global.  RPL divides   the RPLInstanceID space between Global and Local instances to allow   for both coordinated and unilateral allocation of RPLInstanceIDs.   Global RPL Instances are coordinated, have one or more DODAGs, and   are typically long-lived.  Local RPL Instances are always a single   DODAG whose singular root owns the corresponding DODAGID and   allocates the local RPLInstanceID in a unilateral manner.  Local RPL   Instances can be used, for example, for constructing DODAGs in   support of a future on-demand routing solution.  The mode of   operation of Local RPL Instances is out of scope for this   specification and may be described in other companion specifications.   The definition and provisioning of RPL Instances are out of scope for   this specification.  Guidelines may be application and implementation   specific, and they are expected to be elaborated in future companion   specifications.  Those operations are expected to be such that data   packets coming from the outside of the RPL network can unambiguously   be associated to at least one RPL Instance and be safely routed over   any instance that would match the packet.   Control and data packets within RPL network are tagged to   unambiguously identify of which RPL Instance they are a part.   Every RPL control message has a RPLInstanceID field.  Some RPL   control messages, when referring to a local RPLInstanceID as defined   below, may also include a DODAGID.   Data packets that flow within the RPL network expose the   RPLInstanceID as part of the RPL Packet Information that RPL   requires, as further described inSection 11.2.  For data packets   coming from outside the RPL network, the ingress router determines   the RPLInstanceID and places it into the resulting packet that it   injects into the RPL network.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 28]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20125.1.  RPL Instance ID   A global RPLInstanceID MUST be unique to the whole LLN.  Mechanisms   for allocating and provisioning global RPLInstanceID are out of scope   for this specification.  There can be up to 128 Global instance in   the whole network.  Local instances are always used in conjunction   with a DODAGID (which is either given explicitly or implicitly in   some cases), and up 64 Local instances per DODAGID can be supported.   Local instances are allocated and managed by the node that owns the   DODAGID, without any explicit coordination with other nodes, as   further detailed below.   A global RPLInstanceID is encoded in a RPLInstanceID field as   follows:        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |0|     ID      |  Global RPLInstanceID in 0..127       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+         Figure 4: RPLInstanceID Field Format for Global Instances   A local RPLInstanceID is autoconfigured by the node that owns the   DODAGID and it MUST be unique for that DODAGID.  The DODAGID used to   configure the local RPLInstanceID MUST be a reachable IPv6 address of   the node, and it MUST be used as an endpoint of all communications   within that Local instance.   A local RPLInstanceID is encoded in a RPLInstanceID field as follows:        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |1|D|   ID      |  Local RPLInstanceID in 0..63       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+         Figure 5: RPLInstanceID Field Format for Local Instances   The 'D' flag in a local RPLInstanceID is always set to 0 in RPL   control messages.  It is used in data packets to indicate whether the   DODAGID is the source or the destination of the packet.  If the 'D'   flag is set to 1, then the destination address of the IPv6 packet   MUST be the DODAGID.  If the 'D' flag is cleared, then the source   address of the IPv6 packet MUST be the DODAGID.   For example, consider a Node A that is the DODAG root of a Local RPL   Instance, and has allocated a local RPLInstanceID.  By definition,   all traffic traversing that Local RPL Instance will either originate   or terminate at Node A.  In this case, the DODAGID will be theWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 29]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   reachable IPv6 address of Node A.  All traffic will contain the   address of Node A, and thus the DODAGID, in either the source or   destination address.  Thus, the local RPLInstanceID may indicate that   the DODAGID is equivalent to either the source address or the   destination address by setting the 'D' flag appropriately.6.  ICMPv6 RPL Control Message   This document defines the RPL control message, a new ICMPv6 [RFC4443]   message.  A RPL control message is identified by a code and composed   of a base that depends on the code (and a series of options).   Most RPL control messages have the scope of a link.  The only   exception is for the DAO / DAO-ACK messages in Non-Storing mode,   which are exchanged using a unicast address over multiple hops and   thus uses global or unique-local addresses for both the source and   destination addresses.  For all other RPL control messages, the   source address is a link-local address, and the destination address   is either the all-RPL-nodes multicast address or a link-local unicast   address of the destination.  The all-RPL-nodes multicast address is a   new address with a value of ff02::1a.   In accordance with [RFC4443], the RPL Control Message consists of an   ICMPv6 header followed by a message body.  The message body is   comprised of a message base and possibly a number of options as   illustrated in Figure 6.        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |     Type      |     Code      |          Checksum             |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       .                             Base                              .       .                                                               .       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       .                           Option(s)                           .       .                                                               .       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+                       Figure 6: RPL Control Message   The RPL control message is an ICMPv6 information message with a Type   of 155.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 30]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   The Code field identifies the type of RPL control message.  This   document defines codes for the following RPL control message types   (seeSection 20.2)):   o  0x00: DODAG Information Solicitation (Section 6.2)   o  0x01: DODAG Information Object (Section 6.3)   o  0x02: Destination Advertisement Object (Section 6.4)   o  0x03: Destination Advertisement Object Acknowledgment      (Section 6.5)   o  0x80: Secure DODAG Information Solicitation (Section 6.2.2)   o  0x81: Secure DODAG Information Object (Section 6.3.2)   o  0x82: Secure Destination Advertisement Object (Section 6.4.2)   o  0x83: Secure Destination Advertisement Object Acknowledgment      (Section 6.5.2)   o  0x8A: Consistency Check (Section 6.6)   If a node receives a RPL control message with an unknown Code field,   the node MUST discard the message without any further processing, MAY   raise a management alert, and MUST NOT send any messages in response.   The checksum is computed as specified in [RFC4443].  It is set to   zero for the RPL security operations specified below and computed   once the rest of the content of the RPL message including the   security fields is all set.   The high order bit (0x80) of the code denotes whether the RPL message   has security enabled.  Secure RPL messages have a format to support   confidentiality and integrity, illustrated in Figure 7.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 31]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |     Type      |     Code      |          Checksum             |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       .                           Security                            .       .                                                               .       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       .                             Base                              .       .                                                               .       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       .                           Option(s)                           .       .                                                               .       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+                   Figure 7: Secure RPL Control Message   The remainder of this section describes the currently defined RPL   control message Base formats followed by the currently defined RPL   Control Message options.6.1.  RPL Security Fields   Each RPL message has a secure variant.  The secure variants provide   integrity and replay protection as well as optional confidentiality   and delay protection.  Because security covers the base message as   well as options, in secured messages the security information lies   between the checksum and base, as shown in Figure 7.   The level of security and the algorithms in use are indicated in the   protocol messages as described below:Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 32]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |T|  Reserved   |   Algorithm   |KIM|Resvd| LVL |     Flags     |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                            Counter                            |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       .                        Key Identifier                         .       .                                                               .       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+                        Figure 8: Security Section   Message Authentication Codes (MACs) and signatures provide   authentication over the entire unsecured ICMPv6 RPL control message,   including the Security section with all fields defined, but with the   ICMPv6 checksum temporarily set to zero.  Encryption provides   confidentiality of the secured RPL ICMPv6 message starting at the   first byte after the Security section and continuing to the last byte   of the packet.  The security transformation yields a secured ICMPv6   RPL message with the inclusion of the cryptographic fields (MAC,   signature, etc.).  In other words, the security transformation itself   (e.g., the Signature and/or Algorithm in use) will detail how to   incorporate the cryptographic fields into the secured packet.  The   Security section itself does not explicitly carry those cryptographic   fields.  Use of the Security section is further detailed in Sections   19 and 10.   Counter is Time (T): If the counter's Time flag is set, then the         Counter field is a timestamp.  If the flag is cleared, then the         counter is an incrementing counter.Section 10.5 describes the         details of the 'T' flag and Counter field.   Reserved: 7-bit unused field.  The field MUST be initialized to zero         by the sender and MUST be ignored by the receiver.   Security Algorithm (Algorithm): The Security Algorithm field         specifies the encryption, MAC, and signature scheme the network         uses.  Supported values of this field are as follows:Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 33]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012         +-----------+-------------------+------------------------+         | Algorithm |  Encryption/MAC   |        Signature       |         +-----------+-------------------+------------------------+         |     0     | CCM with AES-128  |      RSA with SHA-256  |         |   1-255   |    Unassigned     |        Unassigned      |         +-----------+-------------------+------------------------+             Figure 9: Security Algorithm (Algorithm) EncodingSection 10.9 describes the algorithms in greater detail.   Key Identifier Mode (KIM): The Key Identifier Mode is a 2-bit field         that indicates whether the key used for packet protection is         determined implicitly or explicitly and indicates the         particular representation of the Key Identifier field.  The Key         Identifier Mode is set one of the values from the table below:Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 34]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012          +------+-----+-----------------------------+------------+          | Mode | KIM |           Meaning           |    Key     |          |      |     |                             | Identifier |          |      |     |                             |   Length   |          |      |     |                             |  (octets)  |          +------+-----+-----------------------------+------------+          |  0   | 00  | Group key used.             |     1      |          |      |     | Key determined by Key Index |            |          |      |     | field.                      |            |          |      |     |                             |            |          |      |     | Key Source is not present.  |            |          |      |     | Key Index is present.       |            |          +------+-----+-----------------------------+------------+          |  1   | 01  | Per-pair key used.          |     0      |          |      |     | Key determined by source    |            |          |      |     | and destination of packet.  |            |          |      |     |                             |            |          |      |     | Key Source is not present.  |            |          |      |     | Key Index is not present.   |            |          +------+-----+-----------------------------+------------+          |  2   | 10  | Group key used.             |     9      |          |      |     | Key determined by Key Index |            |          |      |     | and Key Source Identifier.  |            |          |      |     |                             |            |          |      |     | Key Source is present.      |            |          |      |     | Key Index is present.       |            |          +------+-----+-----------------------------+------------+          |  3   | 11  | Node's signature key used.  |    0/9     |          |      |     | If packet is encrypted,     |          |      |     | it uses a group key, Key    |            |          |      |     | Index and Key Source        |            |          |      |     | specify key.                |            |          |      |     |                             |            |          |      |     | Key Source may be present.  |            |          |      |     | Key Index may be present.   |            |          +------+-----+-----------------------------+------------+               Figure 10: Key Identifier Mode (KIM) Encoding   In Mode 3 (KIM=11), the presence or absence of the Key Source and Key   Identifier depends on the Security Level (LVL) described below.  If   the Security Level indicates there is encryption, then the fields are   present; if it indicates there is no encryption, then the fields are   not present.   Resvd: 3-bit unused field.  The field MUST be initialized to zero by         the sender and MUST be ignored by the receiver.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 35]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Security Level (LVL):  The Security Level is a 3-bit field that         indicates the provided packet protection.  This value can be         adapted on a per-packet basis and allows for varying levels of         data authenticity and, optionally, for data confidentiality.         The KIM field indicates whether signatures are used and the         meaning of the Level field.  Note that the assigned values of         Security Level are not necessarily ordered -- a higher value of         LVL does not necessarily equate to increased security.  The         Security Level is set to one of the values in the tables below:                      +---------------------------+                      |         KIM=0,1,2         |              +-------+--------------------+------+              |  LVL  |     Attributes     | MAC  |              |       |                    | Len  |              +-------+--------------------+------+              |   0   |       MAC-32       |  4   |              |   1   |     ENC-MAC-32     |  4   |              |   2   |       MAC-64       |  8   |              |   3   |     ENC-MAC-64     |  8   |              |  4-7  |     Unassigned     | N/A  |              +-------+--------------------+------+                            +---------------------+                            |        KIM=3        |                    +-------+---------------+-----+                    |  LVL  |  Attributes   | Sig |                    |       |               | Len |                    +-------+---------------+-----+                    |   0   |   Sign-3072   | 384 |                    |   1   | ENC-Sign-3072 | 384 |                    |   2   |   Sign-2048   | 256 |                    |   3   | ENC-Sign-2048 | 256 |                    |  4-7  |  Unassigned   | N/A |                    +-------+---------------+-----+                 Figure 11: Security Level (LVL) Encoding   The MAC attribute indicates that the message has a MAC of the   specified length.  The ENC attribute indicates that the message is   encrypted.  The Sign attribute indicates that the message has a   signature of the specified length.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 36]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Flags: 8-bit unused field reserved for flags.  The field MUST be         initialized to zero by the sender and MUST be ignored by the         receiver.   Counter: The Counter field indicates the non-repeating 4-octet value         used to construct the cryptographic mechanism that implements         packet protection and allows for the provision of semantic         security.  SeeSection 10.9.1.   Key Identifier: The Key Identifier field indicates which key was used         to protect the packet.  This field provides various levels of         granularity of packet protection, including peer-to-peer keys,         group keys, and signature keys.  This field is represented as         indicated by the Key Identifier Mode field and is formatted as         follows:        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       .                          Key Source                           .       .                                                               .       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       .                           Key Index                           .       .                                                               .       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+                         Figure 12: Key Identifier   Key Source: The Key Source field, when present, indicates the logical         identifier of the originator of a group key.  When present,         this field is 8 bytes in length.   Key Index: The Key Index field, when present, allows unique         identification of different keys with the same originator.  It         is the responsibility of each key originator to make sure that         actively used keys that it issues have distinct key indices and         that all key indices have a value unequal to 0x00.  Value 0x00         is reserved for a preinstalled, shared key.  When present this         field is 1 byte in length.   Unassigned bits of the Security section are reserved.  They MUST be   set to zero on transmission and MUST be ignored on reception.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 37]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20126.2.  DODAG Information Solicitation (DIS)   The DODAG Information Solicitation (DIS) message may be used to   solicit a DODAG Information Object from a RPL node.  Its use is   analogous to that of a Router Solicitation as specified in IPv6   Neighbor Discovery; a node may use DIS to probe its neighborhood for   nearby DODAGs.Section 8.3 describes how nodes respond to a DIS.6.2.1.  Format of the DIS Base Object        0                   1                   2        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |     Flags     |   Reserved    |   Option(s)...       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+                      Figure 13: The DIS Base Object   Flags: 8-bit unused field reserved for flags.  The field MUST be         initialized to zero by the sender and MUST be ignored by the         receiver.   Reserved: 8-bit unused field.  The field MUST be initialized to zero         by the sender and MUST be ignored by the receiver.   Unassigned bits of the DIS Base are reserved.  They MUST be set to   zero on transmission and MUST be ignored on reception.6.2.2.  Secure DIS   A Secure DIS message follows the format in Figure 7, where the base   format is the DIS message shown in Figure 13.6.2.3.  DIS Options   The DIS message MAY carry valid options.   This specification allows for the DIS message to carry the following   options:      0x00 Pad1      0x01 PadN      0x07 Solicited Information6.3.  DODAG Information Object (DIO)   The DODAG Information Object carries information that allows a node   to discover a RPL Instance, learn its configuration parameters,Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 38]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   select a DODAG parent set, and maintain the DODAG.6.3.1.  Format of the DIO Base Object        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       | RPLInstanceID |Version Number |             Rank              |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |G|0| MOP | Prf |     DTSN      |     Flags     |   Reserved    |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       +                                                               +       |                                                               |       +                            DODAGID                            +       |                                                               |       +                                                               +       |                                                               |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |   Option(s)...       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+                      Figure 14: The DIO Base Object   Grounded (G): The Grounded 'G' flag indicates whether the DODAG         advertised can satisfy the application-defined goal.  If the         flag is set, the DODAG is grounded.  If the flag is cleared,         the DODAG is floating.   Mode of Operation (MOP): The Mode of Operation (MOP) field identifies         the mode of operation of the RPL Instance as administratively         provisioned at and distributed by the DODAG root.  All nodes         who join the DODAG must be able to honor the MOP in order to         fully participate as a router, or else they must only join as a         leaf.  MOP is encoded as in the figure below:Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 39]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012           +-----+-----------------------------------------------------+           | MOP | Description                                         |           +-----+-----------------------------------------------------+           |  0  | No Downward routes maintained by RPL                |           |  1  | Non-Storing Mode of Operation                       |           |  2  | Storing Mode of Operation with no multicast support |           |  3  | Storing Mode of Operation with multicast support    |           |     |                                                     |           |     | All other values are unassigned                     |           +-----+-----------------------------------------------------+   A value of 0 indicates that destination advertisement messages are   disabled and the DODAG maintains only Upward routes.                Figure 15: Mode of Operation (MOP) Encoding   DODAGPreference (Prf): A 3-bit unsigned integer that defines how         preferable the root of this DODAG is compared to other DODAG         roots within the instance.  DAGPreference ranges from 0x00         (least preferred) to 0x07 (most preferred).  The default is 0         (least preferred).Section 8.2 describes how DAGPreference         affects DIO processing.   Version Number: 8-bit unsigned integer set by the DODAG root to the         DODAGVersionNumber.Section 8.2 describes the rules for         DODAGVersionNumbers and how they affect DIO processing.   Rank: 16-bit unsigned integer indicating the DODAG Rank of the node         sending the DIO message.Section 8.2 describes how Rank is set         and how it affects DIO processing.   RPLInstanceID: 8-bit field set by the DODAG root that indicates of         which RPL Instance the DODAG is a part.   Destination Advertisement Trigger Sequence Number (DTSN): 8-bit         unsigned integer set by the node issuing the DIO message.  The         Destination Advertisement Trigger Sequence Number (DTSN) flag         is used as part of the procedure to maintain Downward routes.         The details of this process are described inSection 9.   Flags: 8-bit unused field reserved for flags.  The field MUST be         initialized to zero by the sender and MUST be ignored by the         receiver.   Reserved: 8-bit unused field.  The field MUST be initialized to zero         by the sender and MUST be ignored by the receiver.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 40]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   DODAGID: 128-bit IPv6 address set by a DODAG root that uniquely         identifies a DODAG.  The DODAGID MUST be a routable IPv6         address belonging to the DODAG root.   Unassigned bits of the DIO Base are reserved.  They MUST be set to   zero on transmission and MUST be ignored on reception.6.3.2.  Secure DIO   A Secure DIO message follows the format in Figure 7, where the base   format is the DIO message shown in Figure 14.6.3.3.  DIO Options   The DIO message MAY carry valid options.   This specification allows for the DIO message to carry the following   options:      0x00 Pad1      0x01 PadN      0x02 DAG Metric Container      0x03 Routing Information      0x04 DODAG Configuration      0x08 Prefix Information6.4.  Destination Advertisement Object (DAO)   The Destination Advertisement Object (DAO) is used to propagate   destination information Upward along the DODAG.  In Storing mode, the   DAO message is unicast by the child to the selected parent(s).  In   Non-Storing mode, the DAO message is unicast to the DODAG root.  The   DAO message may optionally, upon explicit request or error, be   acknowledged by its destination with a Destination Advertisement   Acknowledgement (DAO-ACK) message back to the sender of the DAO.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 41]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20126.4.1.  Format of the DAO Base Object        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       | RPLInstanceID |K|D|   Flags   |   Reserved    | DAOSequence   |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       +                                                               +       |                                                               |       +                            DODAGID*                           +       |                                                               |       +                                                               +       |                                                               |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |   Option(s)...       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+   The '*' denotes that the DODAGID is not always present, as described   below.                      Figure 16: The DAO Base Object   RPLInstanceID: 8-bit field indicating the topology instance         associated with the DODAG, as learned from the DIO.   K: The 'K' flag indicates that the recipient is expected to send a         DAO-ACK back.  (SeeSection 9.3.)   D: The 'D' flag indicates that the DODAGID field is present.  This         flag MUST be set when a local RPLInstanceID is used.   Flags: The 6 bits remaining unused in the Flags field are reserved         for flags.  The field MUST be initialized to zero by the sender         and MUST be ignored by the receiver.   Reserved: 8-bit unused field.  The field MUST be initialized to zero         by the sender and MUST be ignored by the receiver.   DAOSequence: Incremented at each unique DAO message from a node and         echoed in the DAO-ACK message.   DODAGID (optional): 128-bit unsigned integer set by a DODAG root that         uniquely identifies a DODAG.  This field is only present when         the 'D' flag is set.  This field is typically only present when         a local RPLInstanceID is in use, in order to identify the         DODAGID that is associated with the RPLInstanceID.  When a         global RPLInstanceID is in use, this field need not be present.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 42]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Unassigned bits of the DAO Base are reserved.  They MUST be set to   zero on transmission and MUST be ignored on reception.6.4.2.  Secure DAO   A Secure DAO message follows the format in Figure 7, where the base   format is the DAO message shown in Figure 16.6.4.3.  DAO Options   The DAO message MAY carry valid options.   This specification allows for the DAO message to carry the following   options:      0x00 Pad1      0x01 PadN      0x05 RPL Target      0x06 Transit Information      0x09 RPL Target Descriptor   A special case of the DAO message, termed a No-Path, is used in   Storing mode to clear Downward routing state that has been   provisioned through DAO operation.  The No-Path carries a Target   option and an associated Transit Information option with a lifetime   of 0x00000000 to indicate a loss of reachability to that Target.6.5.  Destination Advertisement Object Acknowledgement (DAO-ACK)   The DAO-ACK message is sent as a unicast packet by a DAO recipient (a   DAO parent or DODAG root) in response to a unicast DAO message.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 43]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20126.5.1.  Format of the DAO-ACK Base Object        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       | RPLInstanceID |D|  Reserved   |  DAOSequence  |    Status     |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       +                                                               +       |                                                               |       +                            DODAGID*                           +       |                                                               |       +                                                               +       |                                                               |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |   Option(s)...       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+   The '*' denotes that the DODAGID is not always present, as described   below.                    Figure 17: The DAO ACK Base Object   RPLInstanceID: 8-bit field indicating the topology instance         associated with the DODAG, as learned from the DIO.   D: The 'D' flag indicates that the DODAGID field is present.  This         would typically only be set when a local RPLInstanceID is used.   Reserved: The 7-bit field, reserved for flags.   DAOSequence: Incremented at each DAO message from a node, and echoed         in the DAO-ACK by the recipient.  The DAOSequence is used to         correlate a DAO message and a DAO ACK message and is not to be         confused with the Transit Information option Path Sequence that         is associated to a given Target Down the DODAG.   Status: Indicates the completion.  Status 0 is defined as unqualified         acceptance in this specification.  The remaining status values         are reserved as rejection codes.  No rejection status codes are         defined in this specification, although status codes SHOULD be         allocated according to the following guidelines in future         specifications:           0:  Unqualified acceptance (i.e., the node receiving the               DAO-ACK is not rejected).Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 44]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012       1-127:  Not an outright rejection; the node sending the DAO-ACK               is willing to act as a parent, but the receiving node is               suggested to find and use an alternate parent instead.     127-255:  Rejection; the node sending the DAO-ACK is unwilling to               act as a parent.   DODAGID (optional): 128-bit unsigned integer set by a DODAG root that               uniquely identifies a DODAG.  This field is only present               when the 'D' flag is set.  Typically, this field is only               present when a local RPLInstanceID is in use in order to               identify the DODAGID that is associated with the               RPLInstanceID.  When a global RPLInstanceID is in use,               this field need not be present.   Unassigned bits of the DAO-ACK Base are reserved.  They MUST be set   to zero on transmission and MUST be ignored on reception.6.5.2.  Secure DAO-ACK   A Secure DAO-ACK message follows the format in Figure 7, where the   base format is the DAO-ACK message shown in Figure 17.6.5.3.  DAO-ACK Options   This specification does not define any options to be carried by the   DAO-ACK message.6.6.  Consistency Check (CC)   The CC message is used to check secure message counters and issue   challenge-responses.  A CC message MUST be sent as a secured RPL   message.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 45]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20126.6.1.  Format of the CC Base Object        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       | RPLInstanceID |R|    Flags    |           CC Nonce            |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       +                                                               +       |                                                               |       +                            DODAGID                            +       |                                                               |       +                                                               +       |                                                               |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                      Destination Counter                      |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |   Option(s)...       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+                       Figure 18: The CC Base Object   RPLInstanceID: 8-bit field indicating the topology instance         associated with the DODAG, as learned from the DIO.   R: The 'R' flag indicates whether the CC message is a response.  A         message with the 'R' flag cleared is a request; a message with         the 'R' flag set is a response.   Flags: The 7 bits remaining unused in the Flags field are reserved         for flags.  The field MUST be initialized to zero by the sender         and MUST be ignored by the receiver.   CC Nonce: 16-bit unsigned integer set by a CC request.  The         corresponding CC response includes the same CC nonce value as         the request.   DODAGID: 128-bit field, contains the identifier of the DODAG root.   Destination Counter: 32-bit unsigned integer value indicating the         sender's estimate of the destination's current security counter         value.  If the sender does not have an estimate, it SHOULD set         the Destination Counter field to zero.   Unassigned bits of the CC Base are reserved.  They MUST be set to   zero on transmission and MUST be ignored on reception.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 46]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   The Destination Counter value allows new or recovered nodes to   resynchronize through CC message exchanges.  This is important to   ensure that a Counter value is not repeated for a given security key   even in the event of devices recovering from a failure that created a   loss of Counter state.  For example, where a CC request or other RPL   message is received with an initialized counter within the message   Security section, the provision of the Incoming Counter within the CC   response message allows the requesting node to reset its Outgoing   Counter to a value greater than the last value received by the   responding node; the Incoming Counter will also be updated from the   received CC response.6.6.2.  CC Options   This specification allows for the CC message to carry the following   options:      0x00 Pad1      0x01 PadN6.7.  RPL Control Message Options6.7.1.  RPL Control Message Option Generic Format   RPL Control Message options all follow this format:        0                   1                   2        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- - - - - - - -       |  Option Type  | Option Length | Option Data       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- - - - - - - -                   Figure 19: RPL Option Generic Format   Option Type: 8-bit identifier of the type of option.  The Option Type         values are assigned by IANA (seeSection 20.4.)   Option Length: 8-bit unsigned integer, representing the length in         octets of the option, not including the Option Type and Length         fields.   Option Data: A variable length field that contains data specific to         the option.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 47]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   When processing a RPL message containing an option for which the   Option Type value is not recognized by the receiver, the receiver   MUST silently ignore the unrecognized option and continue to process   the following option, correctly handling any remaining options in the   message.   RPL message options may have alignment requirements.  Following the   convention in IPv6, options with alignment requirements are aligned   in a packet such that multi-octet values within the Option Data field   of each option fall on natural boundaries (i.e., fields of width n   octets are placed at an integer multiple of n octets from the start   of the header, for n = 1, 2, 4, or 8).6.7.2.  Pad1   The Pad1 option MAY be present in DIS, DIO, DAO, DAO-ACK, and CC   messages, and its format is as follows:        0        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |   Type = 0x00 |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+                   Figure 20: Format of the Pad1 Option   The Pad1 option is used to insert a single octet of padding into the   message to enable options alignment.  If more than one octet of   padding is required, the PadN option should be used rather than   multiple Pad1 options.   NOTE!  The format of the Pad1 option is a special case -- it has   neither Option Length nor Option Data fields.6.7.3.  PadN   The PadN option MAY be present in DIS, DIO, DAO, DAO-ACK, and CC   messages, and its format is as follows:        0                   1                   2        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- - - - - - - -       |   Type = 0x01 | Option Length | 0x00 Padding...       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- - - - - - - -                   Figure 21: Format of the Pad N OptionWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 48]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   The PadN option is used to insert two or more octets of padding into   the message to enable options alignment.  PadN option data MUST be   ignored by the receiver.   Option Type: 0x01   Option Length: For N octets of padding, where 2 <= N <= 7, the Option         Length field contains the value N-2.  An Option Length of 0         indicates a total padding of 2 octets.  An Option Length of 5         indicates a total padding of 7 octets, which is the maximum         padding size allowed with the PadN option.   Option Data: For N (N > 1) octets of padding, the Option Data         consists of N-2 zero-valued octets.6.7.4.  DAG Metric Container   The DAG Metric Container option MAY be present in DIO or DAO   messages, and its format is as follows:        0                   1                   2        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- - - - - - - -       |   Type = 0x02 | Option Length | Metric Data       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- - - - - - - -           Figure 22: Format of the DAG Metric Container Option   The DAG Metric Container is used to report metrics along the DODAG.   The DAG Metric Container may contain a number of discrete node, link,   and aggregate path metrics and constraints specified in [RFC6551] as   chosen by the implementer.   The DAG Metric Container MAY appear more than once in the same RPL   control message, for example, to accommodate a use case where the   Metric Data is longer than 256 bytes.  More information is in   [RFC6551].   The processing and propagation of the DAG Metric Container is   governed by implementation specific policy functions.   Option Type: 0x02   Option Length: The Option Length field contains the length in octets         of the Metric Data.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 49]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Metric Data: The order, content, and coding of the DAG Metric         Container data is as specified in [RFC6551].6.7.5.  Route Information   The Route Information Option (RIO) MAY be present in DIO messages,   and it carries the same information as the IPv6 Neighbor Discovery   (ND) RIO as defined in [RFC4191].  The root of a DODAG is   authoritative for setting that information and the information is   unchanged as propagated down the DODAG.  A RPL router may trivially   transform it back into an ND option to advertise in its own RAs so a   node attached to the RPL router will end up using the DODAG for which   the root has the best preference for the destination of a packet.  In   addition to the existing ND semantics, it is possible for an   Objective Function to use this information to favor a DODAG whose   root is most preferred for a specific destination.  The format of the   option is modified slightly (Type, Length, Prefix) in order to be   carried as a RPL option as follows:        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |   Type = 0x03 | Option Length | Prefix Length |Resvd|Prf|Resvd|       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                        Route Lifetime                         |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       .                   Prefix (Variable Length)                    .       .                                                               .       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+             Figure 23: Format of the Route Information Option   The RIO is used to indicate that connectivity to the specified   destination prefix is available from the DODAG root.   In the event that a RPL control message may need to specify   connectivity to more than one destination, the RIO may be repeated.   [RFC4191] should be consulted as the authoritative reference with   respect to the RIO.  The field descriptions are transcribed here for   convenience:   Option Type: 0x03Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 50]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Option Length: Variable, length of the option in octets excluding the         Type and Length fields.  Note that this length is expressed in         units of single octets, unlike in IPv6 ND.   Prefix Length: 8-bit unsigned integer.  The number of leading bits in         the prefix that are valid.  The value ranges from 0 to 128.         The Prefix field has the number of bytes inferred from the         Option Length field, that must be at least the Prefix Length.         Note that in RPL, this means that the Prefix field may have         lengths other than 0, 8, or 16.   Prf: 2-bit signed integer.  The Route Preference indicates whether to         prefer the router associated with this prefix over others, when         multiple identical prefixes (for different routers) have been         received.  If the Reserved (10) value is received, the RIO MUST         be ignored.  Per [RFC4191], the Reserved (10) value MUST NOT be         sent.  ([RFC4191] restricts the Preference to just three values         to reinforce that it is not a metric.)   Resvd: Two 3-bit unused fields.  They MUST be initialized to zero by         the sender and MUST be ignored by the receiver.   Route Lifetime: 32-bit unsigned integer.  The length of time in         seconds (relative to the time the packet is sent) that the         prefix is valid for route determination.  A value of all one         bits (0xFFFFFFFF) represents infinity.   Prefix: Variable-length field containing an IP address or a prefix of         an IPv6 address.  The Prefix Length field contains the number         of valid leading bits in the prefix.  The bits in the prefix         after the prefix length (if any) are reserved and MUST be         initialized to zero by the sender and ignored by the receiver.         Note that in RPL, this field may have lengths other than 0, 8,         or 16.   Unassigned bits of the RIO are reserved.  They MUST be set to zero on   transmission and MUST be ignored on reception.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 51]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20126.7.6.  DODAG Configuration   The DODAG Configuration option MAY be present in DIO messages, and   its format is as follows:        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |   Type = 0x04 |Opt Length = 14| Flags |A| PCS | DIOIntDoubl.  |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |  DIOIntMin.   |   DIORedun.   |        MaxRankIncrease        |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |      MinHopRankIncrease       |              OCP              |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |   Reserved    | Def. Lifetime |      Lifetime Unit            |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+            Figure 24: Format of the DODAG Configuration Option   The DODAG Configuration option is used to distribute configuration   information for DODAG Operation through the DODAG.   The information communicated in this option is generally static and   unchanging within the DODAG, therefore it is not necessary to include   in every DIO.  This information is configured at the DODAG root and   distributed throughout the DODAG with the DODAG Configuration option.   Nodes other than the DODAG root MUST NOT modify this information when   propagating the DODAG Configuration option.  This option MAY be   included occasionally by the DODAG root (as determined by the DODAG   root), and MUST be included in response to a unicast request, e.g. a   unicast DODAG Information Solicitation (DIS) message.   Option Type: 0x04   Option Length: 14   Flags: The 4-bits remaining unused in the Flags field are reserved         for flags.  The field MUST be initialized to zero by the sender         and MUST be ignored by the receiver.   Authentication Enabled (A): 1-bit flag describing the security mode         of the network.  The bit describes whether a node must         authenticate with a key authority before joining the network as         a router.  If the DIO is not a secure DIO, the 'A' bit MUST be         zero.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 52]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Path Control Size (PCS): 3-bit unsigned integer used to configure the         number of bits that may be allocated to the Path Control field         (seeSection 9.9).  Note that when PCS is consulted to         determine the width of the Path Control field, a value of 1 is         added, i.e., a PCS value of 0 results in 1 active bit in the         Path Control field.  The default value of PCS is         DEFAULT_PATH_CONTROL_SIZE.   DIOIntervalDoublings: 8-bit unsigned integer used to configure Imax         of the DIO Trickle timer (seeSection 8.3.1).  The default         value of DIOIntervalDoublings is         DEFAULT_DIO_INTERVAL_DOUBLINGS.   DIOIntervalMin: 8-bit unsigned integer used to configure Imin of the         DIO Trickle timer (seeSection 8.3.1).  The default value of         DIOIntervalMin is DEFAULT_DIO_INTERVAL_MIN.   DIORedundancyConstant: 8-bit unsigned integer used to configure k of         the DIO Trickle timer (seeSection 8.3.1).  The default value         of DIORedundancyConstant is DEFAULT_DIO_REDUNDANCY_CONSTANT.   MaxRankIncrease: 16-bit unsigned integer used to configure         DAGMaxRankIncrease, the allowable increase in Rank in support         of local repair.  If DAGMaxRankIncrease is 0, then this         mechanism is disabled.   MinHopRankIncrease: 16-bit unsigned integer used to configure         MinHopRankIncrease as described inSection 3.5.1.  The default         value of MinHopRankInc is DEFAULT_MIN_HOP_RANK_INCREASE.   Objective Code Point (OCP): 16-bit unsigned integer.  The OCP field         identifies the OF and is managed by the IANA.   Reserved: 7-bit unused field.  The field MUST be initialized to zero         by the sender and MUST be ignored by the receiver.   Default Lifetime: 8-bit unsigned integer.  This is the lifetime that         is used as default for all RPL routes.  It is expressed in         units of Lifetime Units, e.g., the default lifetime in seconds         is (Default Lifetime) * (Lifetime Unit).   Lifetime Unit: 16-bit unsigned integer.  Provides the unit in seconds         that is used to express route lifetimes in RPL.  For very         stable networks, it can be hours to days.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 53]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20126.7.7.  RPL Target   The RPL Target option MAY be present in DAO messages, and its format   is as follows:        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |   Type = 0x05 | Option Length |     Flags     | Prefix Length |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       +                                                               +       |                Target Prefix (Variable Length)                |       .                                                               .       .                                                               .       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+                Figure 25: Format of the RPL Target Option   The RPL Target option is used to indicate a Target IPv6 address,   prefix, or multicast group that is reachable or queried along the   DODAG.  In a DAO, the RPL Target option indicates reachability.   A RPL Target option MAY optionally be paired with a RPL Target   Descriptor option (Figure 30) that qualifies the target.   A set of one or more Transit Information options (Section 6.7.8) MAY   directly follow a set of one or more Target options in a DAO message   (where each Target option MAY be paired with a RPL Target Descriptor   option as above).  The structure of the DAO message, detailing how   Target options are used in conjunction with Transit Information   options is further described inSection 9.4.   The RPL Target option may be repeated as necessary to indicate   multiple targets.   Option Type: 0x05   Option Length: Variable, length of the option in octets excluding the         Type and Length fields.   Flags: 8-bit unused field reserved for flags.  The field MUST be         initialized to zero by the sender and MUST be ignored by the         receiver.   Prefix Length: 8-bit unsigned integer.  Number of valid leading bits         in the IPv6 Prefix.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 54]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Target Prefix: Variable-length field identifying an IPv6 destination         address, prefix, or multicast group.  The Prefix Length field         contains the number of valid leading bits in the prefix.  The         bits in the prefix after the prefix length (if any) are         reserved and MUST be set to zero on transmission and MUST be         ignored on receipt.6.7.8.  Transit Information   The Transit Information option MAY be present in DAO messages, and   its format is as follows:        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |   Type = 0x06 | Option Length |E|    Flags    | Path Control  |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       | Path Sequence | Path Lifetime |                               |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+                               +       |                                                               |       +                                                               +       |                                                               |       +                        Parent Address*                        +       |                                                               |       +                               +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                               |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+   The '*' denotes that the DODAG Parent Address subfield is not always   present, as described below.            Figure 26: Format of the Transit Information Option   The Transit Information option is used for a node to indicate   attributes for a path to one or more destinations.  The destinations   are indicated by one or more Target options that immediately precede   the Transit Information option(s).   The Transit Information option can be used for a node to indicate its   DODAG parents to an ancestor that is collecting DODAG routing   information, typically, for the purpose of constructing source   routes.  In the Non-Storing mode of operation, this ancestor will be   the DODAG root, and this option is carried by the DAO message.  In   the Storing mode of operation, the DODAG Parent Address subfield is   not needed, since the DAO message is sent directly to the parent.   The option length is used to determine whether or not the DODAG   Parent Address subfield is present.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 55]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   A non-storing node that has more than one DAO parent MAY include a   Transit Information option for each DAO parent as part of the non-   storing destination advertisement operation.  The node may distribute   the bits in the Path Control field among different groups of DAO   parents in order to signal a preference among parents.  That   preference may influence the decision of the DODAG root when   selecting among the alternate parents/paths for constructing Downward   routes.   One or more Transit Information options MUST be preceded by one or   more RPL Target options.  In this manner, the RPL Target option   indicates the child node, and the Transit Information option(s)   enumerates the DODAG parents.  The structure of the DAO message,   further detailing how Target options are used in conjunction with   Transit Information options, is further described inSection 9.4.   A typical non-storing node will use multiple Transit Information   options, and it will send the DAO message thus formed directly to the   root.  A typical storing node will use one Transit Information option   with no parent field and will send the DAO message thus formed, with   additional adjustments, to Path Control as detailed later, to one or   multiple parents.   For example, in a Non-Storing mode of operation let Tgt(T) denote a   Target option for a Target T.  Let Trnst(P) denote a Transit   Information option that contains a parent address P.  Consider the   case of a non-storing Node N that advertises the self-owned targets   N1 and N2 and has parents P1, P2, and P3.  In that case, the DAO   message would be expected to contain the sequence ((Tgt(N1),   Tgt(N2)), (Trnst(P1), Trnst(P2), Trnst(P3))), such that the group of   Target options {N1, N2} is described by the Transit Information   options as having the parents {P1, P2, P3}.  The non-storing node   would then address that DAO message directly to the DODAG root and   forward that DAO message through one of the DODAG parents: P1, P2, or   P3.   Option Type: 0x06   Option Length: Variable, depending on whether or not the DODAG Parent         Address subfield is present.   External (E): 1-bit flag.  The 'E' flag is set to indicate that the         parent router redistributes external targets into the RPL         network.  An external Target is a Target that has been learned         through an alternate protocol.  The external targets are listed         in the Target options that immediately precede the Transit         Information option.  An external Target is not expected to         support RPL messages and options.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 56]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Flags: The 7 bits remaining unused in the Flags field are reserved         for flags.  The field MUST be initialized to zero by the sender         and MUST be ignored by the receiver.   Path Control: 8-bit bit field.  The Path Control field limits the         number of DAO parents to which a DAO message advertising         connectivity to a specific destination may be sent, as well as         providing some indication of relative preference.  The limit         provides some bound on overall DAO message fan-out in the LLN.         The assignment and ordering of the bits in the Path Control         also serves to communicate preference.  Not all of these bits         may be enabled as according to the PCS in the DODAG         Configuration.  The Path Control field is divided into four         subfields that contain two bits each: PC1, PC2, PC3, and PC4,         as illustrated in Figure 27.  The subfields are ordered by         preference, with PC1 being the most preferred and PC4 being the         least preferred.  Within a subfield, there is no order of         preference.  By grouping the parents (as in ECMP) and ordering         them, the parents may be associated with specific bits in the         Path Control field in a way that communicates preference.                                 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7                                +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+                                |PC1|PC2|PC3|PC4|                                +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+          Figure 27: Path Control Preference Subfield Encoding   Path Sequence: 8-bit unsigned integer.  When a RPL Target option is         issued by the node that owns the Target prefix (i.e., in a DAO         message), that node sets the Path Sequence and increments the         Path Sequence each time it issues a RPL Target option with         updated information.   Path Lifetime: 8-bit unsigned integer.  The length of time in         Lifetime Units (obtained from the Configuration option) that         the prefix is valid for route determination.  The period starts         when a new Path Sequence is seen.  A value of all one bits         (0xFF) represents infinity.  A value of all zero bits (0x00)         indicates a loss of reachability.  A DAO message that contains         a Transit Information option with a Path Lifetime of 0x00 for a         Target is referred as a No-Path (for that Target) in this         document.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 57]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Parent Address (optional): IPv6 address of the DODAG parent of the         node originally issuing the Transit Information option.  This         field may not be present, as according to the DODAG Mode of         Operation (Storing or Non-Storing) and indicated by the Transit         Information option length.   Unassigned bits of the Transit Information option are reserved.  They   MUST be set to zero on transmission and MUST be ignored on reception.6.7.9.  Solicited Information   The Solicited Information option MAY be present in DIS messages, and   its format is as follows:        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |   Type = 0x07 |Opt Length = 19| RPLInstanceID |V|I|D|  Flags  |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       +                                                               +       |                                                               |       +                            DODAGID                            +       |                                                               |       +                                                               +       |                                                               |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |Version Number |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+           Figure 28: Format of the Solicited Information Option   The Solicited Information option is used for a node to request DIO   messages from a subset of neighboring nodes.  The Solicited   Information option may specify a number of predicate criteria to be   matched by a receiving node.  This is used by the requester to limit   the number of replies from "non-interesting" nodes.  These predicates   affect whether a node resets its DIO Trickle timer, as described inSection 8.3.   The Solicited Information option contains flags that indicate which   predicates a node should check when deciding whether to reset its   Trickle timer.  A node resets its Trickle timer when all predicates   are true.  If a flag is set, then the RPL node MUST check the   associated predicate.  If a flag is cleared, then the RPL node MUST   NOT check the associated predicate.  (If a flag is cleared, the RPL   node assumes that the associated predicate is true.)Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 58]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Option Type: 0x07   Option Length: 19   V: The 'V' flag is the Version predicate.  The Version predicate is         true if the receiver's DODAGVersionNumber matches the requested         Version Number.  If the 'V' flag is cleared, then the Version         field is not valid and the Version field MUST be set to zero on         transmission and ignored upon receipt.   I: The 'I' flag is the InstanceID predicate.  The InstanceID         predicate is true when the RPL node's current RPLInstanceID         matches the requested RPLInstanceID.  If the 'I' flag is         cleared, then the RPLInstanceID field is not valid and the         RPLInstanceID field MUST be set to zero on transmission and         ignored upon receipt.   D: The 'D' flag is the DODAGID predicate.  The DODAGID predicate is         true if the RPL node's parent set has the same DODAGID as the         DODAGID field.  If the 'D' flag is cleared, then the DODAGID         field is not valid and the DODAGID field MUST be set to zero on         transmission and ignored upon receipt.   Flags: The 5 bits remaining unused in the Flags field are reserved         for flags.  The field MUST be initialized to zero by the sender         and MUST be ignored by the receiver.   Version Number: 8-bit unsigned integer containing the value of         DODAGVersionNumber that is being solicited when valid.   RPLInstanceID: 8-bit unsigned integer containing the RPLInstanceID         that is being solicited when valid.   DODAGID: 128-bit unsigned integer containing the DODAGID that is         being solicited when valid.   Unassigned bits of the Solicited Information option are reserved.   They MUST be set to zero on transmission and MUST be ignored on   reception.6.7.10.  Prefix Information   The Prefix Information Option (PIO) MAY be present in DIO messages,   and carries the information that is specified for the IPv6 ND Prefix   Information option in [RFC4861], [RFC4862], and [RFC6275] for use by   RPL nodes and IPv6 hosts.  In particular, a RPL node may use this   option for the purpose of Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (SLAAC)   from a prefix advertised by a parent as specified in [RFC4862], andWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 59]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   advertise its own address as specified in [RFC6275].  The root of a   DODAG is authoritative for setting that information.  The information   is propagated down the DODAG unchanged, with the exception that a RPL   router may overwrite the Interface ID if the 'R' flag is set to   indicate its full address in the PIO.  The format of the option is   modified (Type, Length, Prefix) in order to be carried as a RPL   option as follows:   If the only desired effect of a received PIO in a DIO is to provide   the global address of the parent node to the receiving node, then the   sender resets the 'A' and 'L' bits and sets the 'R' bit.  Upon   receipt, the RPL will not autoconfigure an address or a connected   route from the prefix [RFC4862].  As in all cases, when the 'L' bit   is not set, the RPL node MAY include the prefix in PIOs it sends to   its children.        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |   Type = 0x08 |Opt Length = 30| Prefix Length |L|A|R|Reserved1|       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                         Valid Lifetime                        |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                       Preferred Lifetime                      |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                           Reserved2                           |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       +                                                               +       |                                                               |       +                            Prefix                             +       |                                                               |       +                                                               +       |                                                               |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+            Figure 29: Format of the Prefix Information Option   The PIO may be used to distribute the prefix in use inside the DODAG,   e.g., for address autoconfiguration.   [RFC4861] and [RFC6275] should be consulted as the authoritative   reference with respect to the PIO.  The field descriptions are   transcribed here for convenience:   Option Type: 0x08Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 60]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Option Length: 30.  Note that this length is expressed in units of         single octets, unlike in IPv6 ND.   Prefix Length: 8-bit unsigned integer.  The number of leading bits in         the Prefix field that are valid.  The value ranges from 0 to         128.  The Prefix Length field provides necessary information         for on-link determination (when combined with the 'L' flag in         the PIO).  It also assists with address autoconfiguration as         specified in [RFC4862], for which there may be more         restrictions on the prefix length.   L:    1-bit on-link flag.  When set, it indicates that this prefix         can be used for on-link determination.  When not set, the         advertisement makes no statement about on-link or off-link         properties of the prefix.  In other words, if the 'L' flag is         not set, a RPL node MUST NOT conclude that an address derived         from the prefix is off-link.  That is, it MUST NOT update a         previous indication that the address is on-link.  A RPL node         acting as a router MUST NOT propagate a PIO with the 'L' flag         set.  A RPL node acting as a router MAY propagate a PIO with         the 'L' flag not set.   A:    1-bit autonomous address-configuration flag.  When set, it         indicates that this prefix can be used for stateless address         configuration as specified in [RFC4862].  When both protocols         (ND RAs and RPL DIOs) are used to carry PIOs on the same link,         it is possible to use either one for SLAAC by a RPL node.  It         is also possible to make either protocol ineligible for SLAAC         operation by forcing the 'A' flag to 0 for PIOs carried in that         protocol.   R:    1-bit router address flag.  When set, it indicates that the         Prefix field contains a complete IPv6 address assigned to the         sending router that can be used as parent in a target option.         The indicated prefix is the first prefix length bits of the         Prefix field.  The router IPv6 address has the same scope and         conforms to the same lifetime values as the advertised prefix.         This use of the Prefix field is compatible with its use in         advertising the prefix itself, since Prefix Advertisement uses         only the leading bits.  Interpretation of this flag bit is thus         independent of the processing required for the on-link (L) and         autonomous address-configuration (A) flag bits.   Reserved1: 5-bit unused field.  It MUST be initialized to zero by the         sender and MUST be ignored by the receiver.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 61]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Valid Lifetime: 32-bit unsigned integer.  The length of time in         seconds (relative to the time the packet is sent) that the         prefix is valid for the purpose of on-link determination.  A         value of all one bits (0xFFFFFFFF) represents infinity.  The         Valid Lifetime is also used by [RFC4862].   Preferred Lifetime: 32-bit unsigned integer.  The length of time in         seconds (relative to the time the packet is sent) that         addresses generated from the prefix via stateless address         autoconfiguration remain preferred [RFC4862].  A value of all         one bits (0xFFFFFFFF) represents infinity.  See [RFC4862].         Note that the value of this field MUST NOT exceed the Valid         Lifetime field to avoid preferring addresses that are no longer         valid.   Reserved2: This field is unused.  It MUST be initialized to zero by         the sender and MUST be ignored by the receiver.   Prefix: An IPv6 address or a prefix of an IPv6 address.  The Prefix         Length field contains the number of valid leading bits in the         prefix.  The bits in the prefix after the prefix length are         reserved and MUST be initialized to zero by the sender and         ignored by the receiver.  A router SHOULD NOT send a prefix         option for the link-local prefix, and a host SHOULD ignore such         a prefix option.  A non-storing node SHOULD refrain from         advertising a prefix till it owns an address of that prefix,         and then it SHOULD advertise its full address in this field,         with the 'R' flag set.  The children of a node that so         advertises a full address with the 'R' flag set may then use         that address to determine the content of the DODAG Parent         Address subfield of the Transit Information option.   Unassigned bits of the PIO are reserved.  They MUST be set to zero on   transmission and MUST be ignored on reception.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 62]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20126.7.11.  RPL Target Descriptor   The RPL Target option MAY be immediately followed by one opaque   descriptor that qualifies that specific target.        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |   Type = 0x09 |Opt Length = 4 |           Descriptor       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+              Descriptor (cont.)       |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+           Figure 30: Format of the RPL Target Descriptor Option   The RPL Target Descriptor option is used to qualify a target,   something that is sometimes called "tagging".   At most, there can be one descriptor per target.  The descriptor is   set by the node that injects the Target in the RPL network.  It MUST   be copied but not modified by routers that propagate the Target Up   the DODAG in DAO messages.   Option Type: 0x09   Option Length: 4   Descriptor: 32-bit unsigned integer.  Opaque.7.  Sequence Counters   This section describes the general scheme for bootstrap and operation   of sequence counters in RPL, such as the DODAGVersionNumber in the   DIO message, the DAOSequence in the DAO message, and the Path   Sequence in the Transit Information option.7.1.  Sequence Counter Overview   This specification utilizes three different sequence numbers to   validate the freshness and the synchronization of protocol   information:   DODAGVersionNumber: This sequence counter is present in the DIO Base         to indicate the Version of the DODAG being formed.  The         DODAGVersionNumber is monotonically incremented by the root         each time the root decides to form a new Version of the DODAG         in order to revalidate the integrity and allow a global repair         to occur.  The DODAGVersionNumber is propagated unchanged DownWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 63]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012         the DODAG as routers join the new DODAG Version.  The         DODAGVersionNumber is globally significant in a DODAG and         indicates the Version of the DODAG in which a router is         operating.  An older (lesser) value indicates that the         originating router has not migrated to the new DODAG Version         and cannot be used as a parent once the receiving node has         migrated to the newer DODAG Version.   DAOSequence: This sequence counter is present in the DAO Base to         correlate a DAO message and a DAO ACK message.  The DAOSequence         number is locally significant to the node that issues a DAO         message for its own consumption to detect the loss of a DAO         message and enable retries.   Path Sequence: This sequence counter is present in the Transit         Information option in a DAO message.  The purpose of this         counter is to differentiate a movement where a newer route         supersedes a stale one from a route redundancy scenario where         multiple routes exist in parallel for the same target.  The         Path Sequence is globally significant in a DODAG and indicates         the freshness of the route to the associated target.  An older         (lesser) value received from an originating router indicates         that the originating router holds stale routing states and the         originating router should not be considered anymore as a         potential next hop for the target.  The Path Sequence is         computed by the node that advertises the target, that is the         Target itself or a router that advertises a Target on behalf of         a host, and is unchanged as the DAO content is propagated         towards the root by parent routers.  If a host does not pass a         counter to its router, then the router is in charge of         computing the Path Sequence on behalf of the host and the host         can only register to one router for that purpose.  If a DAO         message containing the same Target is issued to multiple         parents at a given point in time for the purpose of route         redundancy, then the Path Sequence is the same in all the DAO         messages for that same target.7.2.  Sequence Counter Operation   RPL sequence counters are subdivided in a 'lollipop' fashion   [Perlman83], where the values from 128 and greater are used as a   linear sequence to indicate a restart and bootstrap the counter, and   the values less than or equal to 127 used as a circular sequence   number space of size 128 as in [RFC1982].  Consideration is given to   the mode of operation when transitioning from the linear region to   the circular region.  Finally, when operating in the circular region,   if sequence numbers are detected to be too far apart, then they are   not comparable, as detailed below.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 64]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   A window of comparison, SEQUENCE_WINDOW = 16, is configured based on   a value of 2^N, where N is defined to be 4 in this specification.   For a given sequence counter:   1.  The sequence counter SHOULD be initialized to an implementation       defined value, which is 128 or greater prior to use.  A       recommended value is 240 (256 - SEQUENCE_WINDOW).   2.  When a sequence counter increment would cause the sequence       counter to increment beyond its maximum value, the sequence       counter MUST wrap back to zero.  When incrementing a sequence       counter greater than or equal to 128, the maximum value is 255.       When incrementing a sequence counter less than 128, the maximum       value is 127.   3.  When comparing two sequence counters, the following rules MUST be       applied:       1.  When a first sequence counter A is in the interval [128..255]           and a second sequence counter B is in [0..127]:           1.  If (256 + B - A) is less than or equal to               SEQUENCE_WINDOW, then B is greater than A, A is less than               B, and the two are not equal.           2.  If (256 + B - A) is greater than SEQUENCE_WINDOW, then A               is greater than B, B is less than A, and the two are not               equal.           For example, if A is 240, and B is 5, then (256 + 5 - 240) is           21. 21 is greater than SEQUENCE_WINDOW (16); thus, 240 is           greater than 5.  As another example, if A is 250 and B is 5,           then (256 + 5 - 250) is 11. 11 is less than SEQUENCE_WINDOW           (16); thus, 250 is less than 5.       2.  In the case where both sequence counters to be compared are           less than or equal to 127, and in the case where both           sequence counters to be compared are greater than or equal to           128:           1.  If the absolute magnitude of difference between the two               sequence counters is less than or equal to               SEQUENCE_WINDOW, then a comparison as described in               [RFC1982] is used to determine the relationships greater               than, less than, and equal.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 65]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012           2.  If the absolute magnitude of difference of the two               sequence counters is greater than SEQUENCE_WINDOW, then a               desynchronization has occurred and the two sequence               numbers are not comparable.   4.  If two sequence numbers are determined not to be comparable,       i.e., the results of the comparison are not defined, then a node       should consider the comparison as if it has evaluated in such a       way so as to give precedence to the sequence number that has most       recently been observed to increment.  Failing this, the node       should consider the comparison as if it has evaluated in such a       way so as to minimize the resulting changes to its own state.8.  Upward Routes   This section describes how RPL discovers and maintains Upward routes.   It describes the use of DODAG Information Objects (DIOs), the   messages used to discover and maintain these routes.  It specifies   how RPL generates and responds to DIOs.  It also describes DODAG   Information Solicitation (DIS) messages, which are used to trigger   DIO transmissions.   As mentioned inSection 3.2.8, nodes that decide to join a DODAG MUST   provision at least one DODAG parent as a default route for the   associated instance.  This default route enables a packet to be   forwarded Upward until it eventually hits a common ancestor from   which it will be routed Downward to the destination.  If the   destination is not in the DODAG, then the DODAG root may be able to   forward the packet using connectivity to the outside of the DODAG; if   it cannot forward the packet outside, then the DODAG root has to drop   it.   A DIO message can also transport explicit routing information:   DODAGID: The DODAGID is a Global or Unique Local IPv6 address of the         root.  A node that joins a DODAG SHOULD provision a host route         via a DODAG parent to the address used by the root as the         DODAGID.   RIO Prefix: The root MAY place one or more Route Information options         in a DIO message.  The RIO is used to advertise an external         route that is reachable via the root, associated with a         preference, as presented inSection 6.7.5, which incorporates         the RIO from [RFC4191].  It is interpreted as a capability of         the root as opposed to a routing advertisement, and it MUST NOT         be redistributed in another routing protocol though it SHOULD         be used by an ingress RPL router to select a DODAG when a         packet is injected in a RPL domain from a node attached to thatWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 66]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012         RPL router.  An Objective Function MAY use the routes         advertised in RIO or the preference for those routes in order         to favor a DODAG versus another one for the same instance.8.1.  DIO Base Rules   1.  For the following DIO Base fields, a node that is not a DODAG       root MUST advertise the same values as its preferred DODAG parent       (defined inSection 8.2.1).  In this way, these values will       propagate Down the DODAG unchanged and advertised by every node       that has a route to that DODAG root.  These fields are as       follows:       1.  Grounded (G)       2.  Mode of Operation (MOP)       3.  DAGPreference (Prf)       4.  Version       5.  RPLInstanceID       6.  DODAGID   2.  A node MAY update the following fields at each hop:       1.  Rank       2.  DTSN   3.  The DODAGID field each root sets MUST be unique within the RPL       Instance and MUST be a routable IPv6 address belonging to the       root.8.2.  Upward Route Discovery and Maintenance   Upward route discovery allows a node to join a DODAG by discovering   neighbors that are members of the DODAG of interest and identifying a   set of parents.  The exact policies for selecting neighbors and   parents is implementation dependent and driven by the OF.  This   section specifies the set of rules those policies must follow for   interoperability.8.2.1.  Neighbors and Parents within a DODAG Version   RPL's Upward route discovery algorithms and processing are in terms   of three logical sets of link-local nodes.  First, the candidate   neighbor set is a subset of the nodes that can be reached via link-   local multicast.  The selection of this set is implementation and OF   dependent.  Second, the parent set is a restricted subset of the   candidate neighbor set.  Finally, the preferred parent is a member of   the parent set that is the preferred next hop in Upward routes.   Conceptually, the preferred parent is a single parent; although, it   may be a set of multiple parents if those parents are equally   preferred and have identical Rank.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 67]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   More precisely:   1.  The DODAG parent set MUST be a subset of the candidate neighbor       set.   2.  A DODAG root MUST have a DODAG parent set of size zero.   3.  A node that is not a DODAG root MAY maintain a DODAG parent set       of size greater than or equal to one.   4.  A node's preferred DODAG parent MUST be a member of its DODAG       parent set.   5.  A node's Rank MUST be greater than all elements of its DODAG       parent set.   6.  When Neighbor Unreachability Detection (NUD) [RFC4861], or an       equivalent mechanism, determines that a neighbor is no longer       reachable, a RPL node MUST NOT consider this node in the       candidate neighbor set when calculating and advertising routes       until it determines that it is again reachable.  Routes through       an unreachable neighbor MUST be removed from the routing table.   These rules ensure that there is a consistent partial order on nodes   within the DODAG.  As long as node Ranks do not change, following the   above rules ensures that every node's route to a DODAG root is loop-   free, as Rank decreases on each hop to the root.   The OF can guide candidate neighbor set and parent set selection, as   discussed in [RFC6552].8.2.2.  Neighbors and Parents across DODAG Versions   The above rules govern a single DODAG Version.  The rules in this   section define how RPL operates when there are multiple DODAG   Versions.8.2.2.1.  DODAG Version   1.  The tuple (RPLInstanceID, DODAGID, DODAGVersionNumber) uniquely       defines a DODAG Version.  Every element of a node's DODAG parent       set, as conveyed by the last heard DIO message from each DODAG       parent, MUST belong to the same DODAG Version.  Elements of a       node's candidate neighbor set MAY belong to different DODAG       Versions.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 68]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   2.  A node is a member of a DODAG Version if every element of its       DODAG parent set belongs to that DODAG Version, or if that node       is the root of the corresponding DODAG.   3.  A node MUST NOT send DIOs for DODAG Versions of which it is not a       member.   4.  DODAG roots MAY increment the DODAGVersionNumber that they       advertise and thus move to a new DODAG Version.  When a DODAG       root increments its DODAGVersionNumber, it MUST follow the       conventions of Serial Number Arithmetic as described inSection 7.  Events triggering the increment of the       DODAGVersionNumber are described later in this section and inSection 18.   5.  Within a given DODAG, a node that is a not a root MUST NOT       advertise a DODAGVersionNumber higher than the highest       DODAGVersionNumber it has heard.  Higher is defined as the       greater-than operator inSection 7.   6.  Once a node has advertised a DODAG Version by sending a DIO, it       MUST NOT be a member of a previous DODAG Version of the same       DODAG (i.e., with the same RPLInstanceID, the same DODAGID, and a       lower DODAGVersionNumber).  Lower is defined as the less-than       operator inSection 7.   When the DODAG parent set becomes empty on a node that is not a root,   (i.e., the last parent has been removed, causing the node no longer   to be associated with that DODAG), then the DODAG information should   not be suppressed until after the expiration of an implementation-   specific local timer.  During the interval prior to suppression of   the "old" DODAG state, the node will be able to observe if the   DODAGVersionNumber has been incremented should any new parents   appear.  This will help protect against the possibility of loops that   may occur if that node were to inadvertently rejoin the old DODAG   Version in its own prior sub-DODAG.   As the DODAGVersionNumber is incremented, a new DODAG Version spreads   outward from the DODAG root.  A parent that advertises the new   DODAGVersionNumber cannot belong to the sub-DODAG of a node   advertising an older DODAGVersionNumber.  Therefore, a node can   safely add a parent of any Rank with a newer DODAGVersionNumber   without forming a loop.   For example, suppose that a node has left a DODAG with   DODAGVersionNumber N.  Suppose that a node had a sub-DODAG and did   attempt to poison that sub-DODAG by advertising a Rank of   INFINITE_RANK, but those advertisements may have become lost in theWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 69]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   LLN.  Then, if the node did observe a candidate neighbor advertising   a position in that original DODAG at DODAGVersionNumber N, that   candidate neighbor could possibly have been in the node's former sub-   DODAG, and there is a possible case where adding that candidate   neighbor as a parent could cause a loop.  In this case, if that   candidate neighbor is observed to advertise a DODAGVersionNumber N+1,   then that candidate neighbor is certain to be safe, since it is   certain not to be in that original node's sub-DODAG, as it has been   able to increment the DODAGVersionNumber by hearing from the DODAG   root while that original node was detached.  For this reason, it is   useful for the detached node to remember the original DODAG   information, including the DODAGVersionNumber N.   Exactly when a DODAG root increments the DODAGVersionNumber is   implementation dependent and out of scope for this specification.   Examples include incrementing the DODAGVersionNumber periodically,   upon administrative intervention, or on application-level detection   of lost connectivity or DODAG inefficiency.   After a node transitions to and advertises a new DODAG Version, the   rules above make it unable to advertise the previous DODAG Version   (prior DODAGVersionNumber) once it has committed to advertising the   new DODAG Version.8.2.2.2.  DODAG Roots   1.  A DODAG root without possibility to satisfy the application-       defined goal MUST NOT set the Grounded bit.   2.  A DODAG root MUST advertise a Rank of ROOT_RANK.   3.  A node whose DODAG parent set is empty MAY become the DODAG root       of a floating DODAG.  It MAY also set its DAGPreference such that       it is less preferred.   In a deployment that uses non-LLN links to federate a number of LLN   roots, it is possible to run RPL over those non-RPL links and use one   router as a "backbone root".  The backbone root is the virtual root   of the DODAG and exposes a Rank of BASE_RANK over the backbone.  All   the LLN roots that are parented to that backbone root, including the   backbone root if it also serves as the LLN root itself, expose a Rank   of ROOT_RANK to the LLN.  These virtual roots are part of the same   DODAG and advertise the same DODAGID.  They coordinate   DODAGVersionNumbers and other DODAG parameters with the virtual root   over the backbone.  The method of coordination is out of scope for   this specification (to be defined in future companion   specifications).Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 70]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20128.2.2.3.  DODAG Selection   The Objective Function and the set of advertised routing metrics and   constraints of a DAG determine how a node selects its neighbor set,   parent set, and preferred parents.  This selection implicitly also   determines the DODAG within a DAG.  Such selection can include   administrative preference (Prf) as well as metrics or other   considerations.   If a node has the option to join a more preferred DODAG while still   meeting other optimization objectives, then the node will generally   seek to join the more preferred DODAG as determined by the OF.  All   else being equal, it is left to the implementation to determine which   DODAG is most preferred (since, as a reminder, a node must only join   one DODAG per RPL Instance).8.2.2.4.  Rank and Movement within a DODAG Version   1.  A node MUST NOT advertise a Rank less than or equal to any member       of its parent set within the DODAG Version.   2.  A node MAY advertise a Rank lower than its prior advertisement       within the DODAG Version.   3.  Let L be the lowest Rank within a DODAG Version that a given node       has advertised.  Within the same DODAG Version, that node MUST       NOT advertise an effective Rank higher than L +       DAGMaxRankIncrease.  INFINITE_RANK is an exception to this rule:       a node MAY advertise an INFINITE_RANK within a DODAG Version       without restriction.  If a node's Rank were to be higher than       allowed by L + DAGMaxRankIncrease, when it advertises Rank, it       MUST advertise its Rank as INFINITE_RANK.   4.  A node MAY, at any time, choose to join a different DODAG within       a RPL Instance.  Such a join has no Rank restrictions, unless       that different DODAG is a DODAG Version of which this node has       previously been a member; in which case, the rule of the previous       bullet (3) must be observed.  Until a node transmits a DIO       indicating its new DODAG membership, it MUST forward packets       along the previous DODAG.   5.  A node MAY, at any time after hearing the next DODAGVersionNumber       advertised from suitable DODAG parents, choose to migrate to the       next DODAG Version within the DODAG.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 71]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Conceptually, an implementation is maintaining a DODAG parent set   within the DODAG Version.  Movement entails changes to the DODAG   parent set.  Moving Up does not present the risk to create a loop but   moving Down might, so that operation is subject to additional   constraints.   When a node migrates to the next DODAG Version, the DODAG parent set   needs to be rebuilt for the new Version.  An implementation could   defer to migrate for some reasonable amount of time, to see if some   other neighbors with potentially better metrics but higher Rank   announce themselves.  Similarly, when a node jumps into a new DODAG,   it needs to construct a new DODAG parent set for this new DODAG.   If a node needs to move Down a DODAG that it is attached to,   increasing its Rank, then it MAY poison its routes and delay before   moving as described inSection 8.2.2.5.   A node is allowed to join any DODAG Version that it has never been a   prior member of without any restrictions, but if the node has been a   prior member of the DODAG Version, then it must continue to observe   the rule that it may not advertise a Rank higher than   L+DAGMaxRankIncrease at any point in the life of the DODAG Version.   This rule must be observed so as not to create a loophole that would   allow the node to effectively increment its Rank all the way to   INFINITE_RANK, which may have impact on other nodes and create a   resource-wasting count-to-infinity scenario.8.2.2.5.  Poisoning   1.  A node poisons routes by advertising a Rank of INFINITE_RANK.   2.  A node MUST NOT have any nodes with a Rank of INFINITE_RANK in       its parent set.   Although an implementation may advertise INFINITE_RANK for the   purposes of poisoning, doing so is not the same as setting Rank to   INFINITE_RANK.  For example, a node may continue to send data packets   whose RPL Packet Information includes a Rank that is not   INFINITE_RANK, yet still advertise INFINITE_RANK in its DIOs.   When a (former) parent is observed to advertise a Rank of   INFINITE_RANK, that (former) parent has detached from the DODAG and   is no longer able to act as a parent, nor is there any way that   another node may be considered to have a Rank greater-than   INFINITE_RANK.  Therefore, that (former) parent cannot act as a   parent any longer and is removed from the parent set.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 72]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20128.2.2.6.  Detaching   1.  A node unable to stay connected to a DODAG within a given DODAG       Version, i.e., that cannot retain non-empty parent set without       violating the rules of this specification, MAY detach from this       DODAG Version.  A node that detaches becomes the root of its own       floating DODAG and SHOULD immediately advertise this new       situation in a DIO as an alternate to poisoning.8.2.2.7.  Following a Parent   1.  If a node receives a DIO from one of its DODAG parents,       indicating that the parent has left the DODAG, that node SHOULD       stay in its current DODAG through an alternative DODAG parent, if       possible.  It MAY follow the leaving parent.   A DODAG parent may have moved, migrated to the next DODAG Version, or   jumped to a different DODAG.  A node ought to give some preference to   remaining in the current DODAG, if possible via an alternate parent,   but ought to follow the parent if there are no other options.8.2.3.  DIO Message Communication   When a DIO message is received, the receiving node must first   determine whether or not the DIO message should be accepted for   further processing, and subsequently present the DIO message for   further processing if eligible.   1.  If the DIO message is malformed, then the DIO message is not       eligible for further processing and a node MUST silently discard       it.  (SeeSection 18 for error logging).   2.  If the sender of the DIO message is a member of the candidate       neighbor set and the DIO message is not malformed, the node MUST       process the DIO.8.2.3.1.  DIO Message Processing   As DIO messages are received from candidate neighbors, the neighbors   may be promoted to DODAG parents by following the rules of DODAG   discovery as described inSection 8.2.  When a node places a neighbor   into the DODAG parent set, the node becomes attached to the DODAG   through the new DODAG parent node.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 73]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   The most preferred parent should be used to restrict which other   nodes may become DODAG parents.  Some nodes in the DODAG parent set   may be of a Rank less than or equal to the most preferred DODAG   parent.  (This case may occur, for example, if an energy-constrained   device is at a lesser Rank but should be avoided per an optimization   objective, resulting in a more preferred parent at a greater Rank.)8.3.  DIO Transmission   RPL nodes transmit DIOs using a Trickle timer [RFC6206].  A DIO from   a sender with a lesser DAGRank that causes no changes to the   recipient's parent set, preferred parent, or Rank SHOULD be   considered consistent with respect to the Trickle timer.   The following packets and events MUST be considered inconsistencies   with respect to the Trickle timer, and cause the Trickle timer to   reset:   o  When a node detects an inconsistency when forwarding a packet, as      detailed inSection 11.2.   o  When a node receives a multicast DIS message without a Solicited      Information option, unless a DIS flag restricts this behavior.   o  When a node receives a multicast DIS with a Solicited Information      option and the node matches all of the predicates in the Solicited      Information option, unless a DIS flag restricts this behavior.   o  When a node joins a new DODAG Version (e.g., by updating its      DODAGVersionNumber, joining a new RPL Instance, etc.).   Note that this list is not exhaustive, and an implementation MAY   consider other messages or events to be inconsistencies.   A node SHOULD NOT reset its DIO Trickle timer in response to unicast   DIS messages.  When a node receives a unicast DIS without a Solicited   Information option, it MUST unicast a DIO to the sender in response.   This DIO MUST include a DODAG Configuration option.  When a node   receives a unicast DIS message with a Solicited Information option   and matches the predicates of that Solicited Information option, it   MUST unicast a DIO to the sender in response.  This unicast DIO MUST   include a DODAG Configuration option.  Thus, a node MAY transmit a   unicast DIS message to a potential DODAG parent in order to probe for   DODAG Configuration and other parameters.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 74]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20128.3.1.  Trickle Parameters   The configuration parameters of the Trickle timer are specified as   follows:   Imin: learned from the DIO message as (2^DIOIntervalMin) ms.  The         default value of DIOIntervalMin is DEFAULT_DIO_INTERVAL_MIN.   Imax: learned from the DIO message as DIOIntervalDoublings.  The         default value of DIOIntervalDoublings is         DEFAULT_DIO_INTERVAL_DOUBLINGS.   k:    learned from the DIO message as DIORedundancyConstant.  The         default value of DIORedundancyConstant is         DEFAULT_DIO_REDUNDANCY_CONSTANT.  In RPL, when k has the value         of 0x00, this is to be treated as a redundancy constant of         infinity in RPL, i.e., Trickle never suppresses messages.8.4.  DODAG Selection   The DODAG selection is implementation and OF dependent.  In order to   limit erratic movements, and all metrics being equal, nodes SHOULD   keep their previous selection.  Also, nodes SHOULD provide a means to   filter out a parent whose availability is detected as fluctuating, at   least when more stable choices are available.   When connection to a grounded DODAG is not possible or preferable for   security or other reasons, scattered DODAGs MAY aggregate as much as   possible into larger DODAGs in order to allow connectivity within the   LLN.   A node SHOULD verify that bidirectional connectivity and adequate   link quality is available with a candidate neighbor before it   considers that candidate as a DODAG parent.8.5.  Operation as a Leaf Node   In some cases, a RPL node may attach to a DODAG as a leaf node only.   One example of such a case is when a node does not understand or does   not support (policy) the RPL Instance's OF or advertised metric/   constraint.  As specified inSection 18.6, related to policy   function, the node may either join the DODAG as a leaf node or may   not join the DODAG.  As mentioned inSection 18.5, it is then   recommended to log a fault.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 75]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   A leaf node does not extend DODAG connectivity; however, in some   cases, the leaf node may still need to transmit DIOs on occasion, in   particular, when the leaf node may not have always been acting as a   leaf node and an inconsistency is detected.   A node operating as a leaf node must obey the following rules:   1.  It MUST NOT transmit DIOs containing the DAG Metric Container.   2.  Its DIOs MUST advertise a DAGRank of INFINITE_RANK.   3.  It MAY suppress DIO transmission, unless the DIO transmission has       been triggered due to detection of inconsistency when a packet is       being forwarded or in response to a unicast DIS message, in which       case the DIO transmission MUST NOT be suppressed.   4.  It MAY transmit unicast DAOs as described inSection 9.2.   5.  It MAY transmit multicast DAOs to the '1 hop' neighborhood as       described inSection 9.10.   A particular case that requires a leaf node to send a DIO is if that   leaf node was a prior member of another DODAG and another node   forwards a message assuming the old topology, triggering an   inconsistency.  The leaf node needs to transmit a DIO in order to   repair the inconsistency.  Note that due to the lossy nature of LLNs,   even though the leaf node may have optimistically poisoned its routes   by advertising a Rank of INFINITE_RANK in the old DODAG prior to   becoming a leaf node, that advertisement may have become lost and a   leaf node must be capable to send a DIO later in order to repair the   inconsistency.   In the general case, the leaf node MUST NOT advertise itself as a   router (i.e., send DIOs).8.6.  Administrative Rank   In some cases, it might be beneficial to adjust the Rank advertised   by a node beyond that computed by the OF based on some   implementation-specific policy and properties of the node.  For   example, a node that has a limited battery should be a leaf unless   there is no other choice, and may then augment the Rank computation   specified by the OF in order to expose an exaggerated Rank.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 76]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 20129.  Downward Routes   This section describes how RPL discovers and maintains Downward   routes.  RPL constructs and maintains Downward routes with   Destination Advertisement Object (DAO) messages.  Downward routes   support P2MP flows, from the DODAG roots toward the leaves.  Downward   routes also support P2P flows: P2P messages can flow toward a DODAG   root (or a common ancestor) through an Upward route, then away from   the DODAG root to a destination through a Downward route.   This specification describes the two modes a RPL Instance may choose   from for maintaining Downward routes.  In the first mode, called   "Storing", nodes store Downward routing tables for their sub-DODAG.   Each hop on a Downward route in a storing network examines its   routing table to decide on the next hop.  In the second mode, called   "Non-Storing", nodes do not store Downward routing tables.  Downward   packets are routed with source routes populated by a DODAG root   [RFC6554].   RPL allows a simple one-hop P2P optimization for both storing and   non-storing networks.  A node may send a P2P packet destined to a   one-hop neighbor directly to that node.9.1.  Destination Advertisement Parents   To establish Downward routes, RPL nodes send DAO messages Upward.   The next-hop destinations of these DAO messages are called "DAO   parents".  The collection of a node's DAO parents is called the "DAO   parent set".   1.  A node MAY send DAO messages using the all-RPL-nodes multicast       address, which is an optimization to provision one-hop routing.       The 'K' bit MUST be cleared on transmission of the multicast DAO.   2.  A node's DAO parent set MUST be a subset of its DODAG parent set.   3.  In Storing mode operation, a node MUST NOT address unicast DAO       messages to nodes that are not DAO parents.   4.  In Storing mode operation, the IPv6 source and destination       addresses of a DAO message MUST be link-local addresses.   5.  In Non-Storing mode operation, a node MUST NOT address unicast       DAO messages to nodes that are not DODAG roots.   6.  In Non-Storing mode operation, the IPv6 source and destination       addresses of a DAO message MUST be a unique-local or a global       address.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 77]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   The selection of DAO parents is implementation and Objective Function   specific.9.2.  Downward Route Discovery and Maintenance   Destination Advertisement may be configured to be entirely disabled,   or operate in either a Storing or Non-Storing mode, as reported in   the MOP in the DIO message.   1.  All nodes who join a DODAG MUST abide by the MOP setting from the       root.  Nodes that do not have the capability to fully participate       as a router, e.g., that do not match the advertised MOP, MAY join       the DODAG as a leaf.   2.  If the MOP is 0, indicating no Downward routing, nodes MUST NOT       transmit DAO messages and MAY ignore DAO messages.   3.  In Non-Storing mode, the DODAG root SHOULD store source routing       table entries for destinations learned from DAOs.  The DODAG root       MUST be able to generate source routes for those destinations       learned from DAOs that were stored.   4.  In Storing mode, all non-root, non-leaf nodes MUST store routing       table entries for destinations learned from DAOs.   A DODAG can have one of several possible modes of operation, as   defined by the MOP field.  Either it does not support Downward   routes, it supports Downward routes through source routing from DODAG   roots, or it supports Downward routes through in-network routing   tables.   When Downward routes are supported through source routing from DODAG   roots, it is generally expected that the DODAG root has stored the   source routing information learned from DAOs in order to construct   the source routes.  If the DODAG root fails to store some   information, then some destinations may be unreachable.   When Downward routes are supported through in-network routing tables,   the multicast operation defined in this specification may or may not   be supported, also as indicated by the MOP field.   When Downward routes are supported through in-network routing tables,   as described in this specification, it is expected that nodes acting   as routers have been provisioned sufficiently to hold the required   routing table state.  If a node acting as a router is unable to hold   the full routing table state then the routing state is not complete,Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 78]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   messages may be dropped as a consequence, and a fault may be logged   (Section 18.5).  Future extensions to RPL may elaborate on refined   actions/behaviors to manage this case.   As of the writing of this specification, RPL does not support mixed-   mode operation, where some nodes source route and other store routing   tables: future extensions to RPL may support this mode of operation.9.2.1.  Maintenance of Path Sequence   For each Target that is associated with (owned by) a node, that node   is responsible to emit DAO messages in order to provision the   Downward routes.  The Target+Transit information contained in those   DAO messages subsequently propagates Up the DODAG.  The Path Sequence   counter in the Transit information option is used to indicate   freshness and update stale Downward routing information as described   inSection 7.   For a Target that is associated with (owned by) a node, that node   MUST increment the Path Sequence counter, and generate a new DAO   message, when:   1.  the Path Lifetime is to be updated (e.g., a refresh or a no-       Path).   2.  the DODAG Parent Address subfield list is to be changed.   For a Target that is associated with (owned by) a node, that node MAY   increment the Path Sequence counter, and generate a new DAO message,   on occasion in order to refresh the Downward routing information.  In   Storing mode, the node generates such a DAO to each of its DAO   parents in order to enable multipath.  All DAOs generated at the same   time for the same Target MUST be sent with the same Path Sequence in   the Transit Information.9.2.2.  Generation of DAO Messages   A node might send DAO messages when it receives DAO messages, as a   result of changes in its DAO parent set, or in response to another   event such as the expiry of a related prefix lifetime.  In the case   of receiving DAOs, it matters whether the DAO message is "new" or   contains new information.  In Non-Storing mode, every DAO message a   node receives is "new".  In Storing mode, a DAO message is "new" if   it satisfies any of these criteria for a contained Target:   1.  it has a newer Path Sequence number,   2.  it has additional Path Control bits, orWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 79]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   3.  it is a No-Path DAO message that removes the last Downward route       to a prefix.   A node that receives a DAO message from its sub-DODAG MAY suppress   scheduling a DAO message transmission if that DAO message is not new.9.3.  DAO Base Rules   1.  If a node sends a DAO message with newer or different information       than the prior DAO message transmission, it MUST increment the       DAOSequence field by at least one.  A DAO message transmission       that is identical to the prior DAO message transmission MAY       increment the DAOSequence field.   2.  The RPLInstanceID and DODAGID fields of a DAO message MUST be the       same value as the members of the node's parent set and the DIOs       it transmits.   3.  A node MAY set the 'K' flag in a unicast DAO message to solicit a       unicast DAO-ACK in response in order to confirm the attempt.   4.  A node receiving a unicast DAO message with the 'K' flag set       SHOULD respond with a DAO-ACK.  A node receiving a DAO message       without the 'K' flag set MAY respond with a DAO-ACK, especially       to report an error condition.   5.  A node that sets the 'K' flag in a unicast DAO message but does       not receive a DAO-ACK in response MAY reschedule the DAO message       transmission for another attempt, up until an implementation-       specific number of retries.   6.  Nodes SHOULD ignore DAOs without newer sequence numbers and MUST       NOT process them further.   Unlike the Version field of a DIO, which is incremented only by a   DODAG root and repeated unchanged by other nodes, DAOSequence values   are unique to each node.  The sequence number space for unicast and   multicast DAO messages can be either the same or distinct.  It is   RECOMMENDED to use the same sequence number space.9.4.  Structure of DAO Messages   DAOs follow a common structure in both storing and non-storing   networks.  In the most general form, a DAO message may include   several groups of options, where each group consists of one or more   Target options followed by one or more Transit Information options.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 80]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   The entire group of Transit Information options applies to the entire   group of Target options.  Later sections describe further details for   each mode of operation.   1.  RPL nodes MUST include one or more RPL Target options in each DAO       message they transmit.  One RPL Target option MUST have a prefix       that includes the node's IPv6 address if that node needs the       DODAG to provision Downward routes to that node.  The RPL Target       option MAY be immediately followed by an opaque RPL Target       Descriptor option that qualifies it.   2.  When a node updates the information in a Transit Information       option for a Target option that covers one of its addresses, it       MUST increment the Path Sequence number in that Transit       Information option.  The Path Sequence number MAY be incremented       occasionally to cause a refresh to the Downward routes.   3.  One or more RPL Target options in a unicast DAO message MUST be       followed by one or more Transit Information options.  All the       transit options apply to all the Target options that immediately       precede them.   4.  Multicast DAOs MUST NOT include the DODAG Parent Address subfield       in Transit Information options.   5.  A node that receives and processes a DAO message containing       information for a specific Target, and that has prior information       for that Target, MUST use the Path Sequence number in the Transit       Information option associated with that Target in order to       determine whether or not the DAO message contains updated       information perSection 7.   6.  If a node receives a DAO message that does not follow the above       rules, it MUST discard the DAO message without further       processing.   In Non-Storing mode, the root builds a strict source routing header,   hop-by-hop, by recursively looking up one-hop information that ties a   Target (address or prefix) and a transit address together.  In some   cases, when a child address is derived from a prefix that is owned   and advertised by a parent, that parent-child relationship may be   inferred by the root for the purpose of constructing the source   routing header.  In all other cases, it is necessary to inform the   root of the transit-Target relationship from a reachable target, so   as to later enable the recursive construction of the routing header.   An address that is advertised as a Target in a DAO message MUST be   collocated in the same router, or reachable on-link by the routerWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 81]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   that owns the address that is indicated in the associated Transit   Information.  The following additional rules apply to ensure the   continuity of the end-to-end source route path:   1.  The address of a parent used in the transit option MUST be taken       from a PIO from that parent with the 'R' flag set.  The 'R' flag       in a PIO indicates that the prefix field actually contains the       full parent address but the child SHOULD NOT assume that the       parent address is on-link.   2.  A PIO with an 'A' flag set indicates that the RPL child node may       use the prefix to autoconfigure an address.  A parent that       advertises a prefix in a PIO with the 'A' flag set MUST ensure       that the address or the whole prefix in the PIO is reachable from       the root by advertising it as a DAO target.  If the parent also       sets the 'L' flag indicating that the prefix is on-link, then it       MUST advertise the whole prefix as Target in a DAO message.  If       the 'L' flag is cleared and the 'R' flag is set, indicating that       the parent provides its own address in the PIO, then the parent       MUST advertise that address as a DAO target.   3.  An address that is advertised as Target in a DAO message MUST be       collocated in the same router or reachable on-link by the router       that owns the address that is indicated in the associated Transit       Information.   4.  In order to enable an optimum compression of the routing header,       the parent SHOULD set the 'R' flag in all PIOs with the 'A' flag       set and the 'L' flag cleared, and the child SHOULD prefer to use       as transit the address of the parent that is found in the PIO       that is used to autoconfigure the address that is advertised as       Target in the DAO message.   5.  A router might have targets that are not known to be on-link for       a parent, either because they are addresses located on an       alternate interface or because they belong to nodes that are       external to RPL, for instance connected hosts.  In order to       inject such a Target in the RPL network, the router MUST       advertise itself as the DODAG Parent Address subfield in the       Transit Information option for that target, using an address that       is on-link for that nodes DAO parent.  If the Target belongs to       an external node, then the router MUST set the External 'E' flag       in the Transit Information.   A child node that has autoconfigured an address from a parent PIO   with the 'L' flag set does not need to advertise that address as a   DAO Target since the parent ensures that the whole prefix is already   reachable from the root.  However, if the 'L' flag is not set, thenWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 82]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   it is necessary, in Non-Storing mode, for the child node to inform   the root of the parent-child relationship, using a reachable address   of the parent, so as to enable the recursive construction of the   routing header.  This is done by associating an address of the parent   as transit with the address of the child as Target in a DAO message.9.5.  DAO Transmission Scheduling   Because DAOs flow Upward, receiving a unicast DAO can trigger sending   a unicast DAO to a DAO parent.   1.  On receiving a unicast DAO message with updated information, such       as containing a Transit Information option with a new Path       Sequence, a node SHOULD send a DAO.  It SHOULD NOT send this DAO       message immediately.  It SHOULD delay sending the DAO message in       order to aggregate DAO information from other nodes for which it       is a DAO parent.   2.  A node SHOULD delay sending a DAO message with a timer       (DelayDAO).  Receiving a DAO message starts the DelayDAO timer.       DAO messages received while the DelayDAO timer is active do not       reset the timer.  When the DelayDAO timer expires, the node sends       a DAO.   3.  When a node adds a node to its DAO parent set, it SHOULD schedule       a DAO message transmission.   DelayDAO's value and calculation is implementation dependent.  A   default value of DEFAULT_DAO_DELAY is defined in this specification.9.6.  Triggering DAO Messages   Nodes can trigger their sub-DODAG to send DAO messages.  Each node   maintains a DAO Trigger Sequence Number (DTSN), which it communicates   through DIO messages.   1.  If a node hears one of its DAO parents increment its DTSN, the       node MUST schedule a DAO message transmission using rules in       Sections9.3 and9.5.   2.  In Non-Storing mode, if a node hears one of its DAO parents       increment its DTSN, the node MUST increment its own DTSN.   In a Storing mode of operation, as part of routine routing table   updates and maintenance, a storing node MAY increment DTSN in order   to reliably trigger a set of DAO updates from its immediate children.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 83]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   In a Storing mode of operation, it is not necessary to trigger DAO   updates from the entire sub-DODAG, since that state information will   propagate hop-by-hop Up the DODAG.   In a Non-Storing mode of operation, a DTSN increment will also cause   the immediate children of a node to increment their DTSN in turn,   triggering a set of DAO updates from the entire sub-DODAG.   Typically, in a Non-Storing mode of operation, only the root would   independently increment the DTSN when a DAO refresh is needed but a   global repair (such as by incrementing DODAGVersionNumber) is not   desired.  Typically, in a Non-Storing mode of operation, all non-root   nodes would increment their DTSN only when their parent(s) are   observed to do so.   In general, a node may trigger DAO updates according to   implementation-specific logic, such as based on the detection of a   Downward route inconsistency or occasionally based upon an internal   timer.   In a storing network, selecting a proper DelayDAO for triggered DAOs   can greatly reduce the number of DAOs transmitted.  The trigger flows   Down the DODAG; in the best case, the DAOs flow Up the DODAG such   that leaves send DAOs first, with each node sending a DAO message   only once.  Such a scheduling could be approximated by setting   DelayDAO inversely proportional to Rank.  Note that this suggestion   is intended as an optimization to allow efficient aggregation (it is   not required for correct operation in the general case).9.7.  Non-Storing Mode   In Non-Storing mode, RPL routes messages Downward using IP source   routing.  The following rule applies to nodes that are in Non-Storing   mode.  Storing mode has a separate set of rules, described inSection 9.8.   1.  The DODAG Parent Address subfield of a Transit Information option       MUST contain one or more addresses.  All of these addresses MUST       be addresses of DAO parents of the sender.   2.  DAOs are sent directly to the root along a default route       installed as part of the parent selection.   3.  When a node removes a node from its DAO parent set, it MAY       generate a new DAO message with an updated Transit Information       option.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 84]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   In Non-Storing mode, a node uses DAOs to report its DAO parents to   the DODAG root.  The DODAG root can piece together a Downward route   to a node by using DAO parent sets from each node in the route.  The   Path Sequence information may be used to detect stale DAO   information.  The purpose of this per-hop route calculation is to   minimize traffic when DAO parents change.  If nodes reported complete   source routes, then on a DAO parent change, the entire sub-DODAG   would have to send new DAOs to the DODAG root.  Therefore, in Non-   Storing mode, a node can send a single DAO, although it might choose   to send more than one DAO message to each of multiple DAO parents.   Nodes pack DAOs by sending a single DAO message with multiple RPL   Target options.  Each RPL Target option has its own, immediately   following, Transit Information options.9.8.  Storing Mode   In Storing mode, RPL routes messages Downward by the IPv6 destination   address.  The following rules apply to nodes that are in Storing   mode:   1.  The DODAG Parent Address subfield of a Transmit Information       option MUST be empty.   2.  On receiving a unicast DAO, a node MUST compute if the DAO would       change the set of prefixes that the node itself advertises.  This       computation SHOULD include consultation of the Path Sequence       information in the Transit Information options associated with       the DAO, to determine if the DAO message contains newer       information that supersedes the information already stored at the       node.  If so, the node MUST generate a new DAO message and       transmit it, following the rules inSection 9.5.  Such a change       includes receiving a No-Path DAO.   3.  When a node generates a new DAO, it SHOULD unicast it to each of       its DAO parents.  It MUST NOT unicast the DAO message to nodes       that are not DAO parents.   4.  When a node removes a node from its DAO parent set, it SHOULD       send a No-Path DAO message (Section 6.4.3) to that removed DAO       parent to invalidate the existing route.   5.  If messages to an advertised Downward address suffer from a       forwarding error, Neighbor Unreachable Detection (NUD), or       similar failure, a node MAY mark the address as unreachable and       generate an appropriate No-Path DAO.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 85]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   DAOs advertise to which destination addresses and prefixes a node has   routes.  Unlike in Non-Storing mode, these DAOs do not communicate   information about the routes themselves: that information is stored   within the network and is implicit from the IPv6 source address.   When a storing node generates a DAO, it uses the stored state of DAOs   it has received to produce a set of RPL Target options and their   associated Transmit Information options.   Because this information is stored within each node's routing tables,   in Storing mode, DAOs are communicated directly to DAO parents, who   store this information.9.9.  Path Control   A DAO message from a node contains one or more Target options.  Each   Target option specifies either a prefix advertised by the node, a   prefix of addresses reachable outside the LLN, the address of a   destination in the node's sub-DODAG, or a multicast group to which a   node in the sub-DODAG is listening.  The Path Control field of the   Transit Information option allows nodes to request or allow for   multiple Downward routes.  A node constructs the Path Control field   of a Transit Information option as follows:   1.  The bit width of the Path Control field MUST be equal to the       value (PCS + 1), where PCS is specified in the control field of       the DODAG Configuration option.  Bits greater than or equal to       the value (PCS + 1) MUST be cleared on transmission and MUST be       ignored on reception.  Bits below that value are considered       "active" bits.   2.  The node MUST logically construct groupings of its DAO parents       while populating the Path Control field, where each group       consists of DAO parents of equal preference.  Those groups MUST       then be ordered according to preference, which allows for a       logical mapping of DAO parents onto Path Control subfields (see       Figure 27).  Groups MAY be repeated in order to extend over the       entire bit width of the patch control field, but the order,       including repeated groups, MUST be retained so that preference is       properly communicated.   3.  For a RPL Target option describing a node's own address or a       prefix outside the LLN, at least one active bit of the Path       Control field MUST be set.  More active bits of the Path Control       field MAY be set.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 86]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   4.  If a node receives multiple DAOs with the same RPL Target option,       it MUST bitwise-OR the Path Control fields it receives.  This       aggregated bitwise-OR represents the number of Downward routes       the prefix requests.   5.  When a node sends a DAO message to one of its DAO parents, it       MUST select one or more of the bits that are set active in the       subfield that is mapped to the group containing that DAO parent       from the aggregated Path Control field.  A given bit can only be       presented as active to one parent.  The DAO message it transmits       to its parent MUST have these active bits set and all other       active bits cleared.   6.  For the RPL Target option and DAOSequence number, the DAOs a node       sends to different DAO parents MUST have disjoint sets of active       Path Control bits.  A node MUST NOT set the same active bit on       DAOs to two different DAO parents.   7.  Path Control bits SHOULD be allocated according to the preference       mapping of DAO parents onto Path Control subfields, such that the       active Path Control bits, or groupings of bits, that belong to a       particular Path Control subfield are allocated to DAO parents       within the group that was mapped to that subfield.   8.  In a Non-Storing mode of operation, a node MAY pass DAOs through       without performing any further processing on the Path Control       field.   9.  A node MUST NOT unicast a DAO message that has no active bits in       the Path Control field set.  It is possible that, for a given       Target option, a node does not have enough aggregate Path Control       bits to send a DAO message containing that Target to each of its       DAO parents, in which case those least preferred DAO Parents may       not get a DAO message for that Target.   The Path Control field allows a node to bound how many Downward   routes will be generated to it.  It sets a number of bits in the Path   Control field equal to the maximum number of Downward routes it   prefers.  At most, each bit is sent to one DAO parent; clusters of   bits can be sent to a single DAO parent for it to divide among its   own DAO parents.   A node that provisions a DAO route for a Target that has an   associated Path Control field SHOULD use the content of that Path   Control field in order to determine an order of preference among   multiple alternative DAO routes for that Target.  The Path Control   field assignment is derived from preference (of the DAO parents), as   determined on the basis of this node's best knowledge of the "end-to-Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 87]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   end" aggregated metrics in the Downward direction as per the   Objective Function.  In Non-Storing mode the root can determine the   Downward route by aggregating the information from each received DAO,   which includes the Path Control indications of preferred DAO parents.9.9.1.  Path Control Example   Suppose that there is an LLN operating in Storing mode that contains   a Node N with four parents, P1, P2, P3, and P4.  Let N have three   children, C1, C2, and C3 in its sub-DODAG.  Let PCS be 7, such that   there will be 8 active bits in the Path Control field: 11111111b.   Consider the following example:   The Path Control field is split into four subfields, PC1 (11000000b),   PC2 (00110000b), PC3 (00001100b), and PC4 (00000011b), such that   those four subfields represent four different levels of preference   per Figure 27.  The implementation at Node N, in this example, groups   {P1, P2} to be of equal preference to each other and the most   preferred group overall. {P3} is less preferred to {P1, P2}, and more   preferred to {P4}.  Let Node N then perform its Path Control mapping   such that:              {P1, P2} -> PC1 (11000000b) in the Path Control field              {P3}     -> PC2 (00110000b) in the Path Control field              {P4}     -> PC3 (00001100b) in the Path Control field              {P4}     -> PC4 (00000011b) in the Path Control field   Note that the implementation repeated {P4} in order to get complete   coverage of the Path Control field.   1.   Let C1 send a DAO containing a Target T with a Path Control        10000000b.  Node N stores an entry associating 10000000b with        the Path Control field for C1 and Target T.   2.   Let C2 send a DAO containing a Target T with a Path Control        00010000b.  Node N stores an entry associating 00010000b with        the Path Control field for C1 and Target T.   3.   Let C3 send a DAO containing a Target T with a Path Control        00001100b.  Node N stores an entry associating 00001100b with        the Path Control field for C1 and Target T.   4.   At some later time, Node N generates a DAO for Target T.  Node N        will construct an aggregate Path Control field by ORing together        the contribution from each of its children that have given a DAO        for Target T.  Thus, the aggregate Path Control field has the        active bits set as: 10011100b.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 88]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   5.   Node N then distributes the aggregate Path Control bits among        its parents P1, P2, P3, and P4 in order to prepare the DAO        messages.   6.   P1 and P2 are eligible to receive active bits from the most        preferred subfield (11000000b).  Those bits are 10000000b in the        aggregate Path Control field.  Node N must set the bit to one of        the two parents only.  In this case, Node P1 is allocated the        bit and gets the Path Control field 10000000b for its DAO.        There are no bits left to allocate to Node P2; thus, Node P2        would have a Path Control field of 00000000b and a DAO cannot be        generated to Node P2 since there are no active bits.   7.   The second-most preferred subfield (00110000b) has the active        bits 00010000b.  Node N has mapped P3 to this subfield.  Node N        may allocates the active bit to P3, constructing a DAO for P3        containing Target T with a Path Control of 00010000b.   8.   The third-most preferred subfield (00001100b) has the active        bits 00001100b.  Node N has mapped P4 to this subfield.  Node N        may allocate both bits to P4, constructing a DAO for P4        containing Target T with a Path Control of 00001100b.   9.   The least preferred subfield (00000011b) has no active bits.        Had there been active bits, those bits would have been added to        the Path Control field of the DAO constructed for P4.   10.  The process of populating the DAO messages destined for P1, P2,        P3, P4 with other targets (other than T) proceeds according to        the aggregate Path Control fields collected for those targets.9.10.  Multicast Destination Advertisement Messages   A special case of DAO operation, distinct from unicast DAO operation,   is multicast DAO operation that may be used to populate '1-hop'   routing table entries.   1.  A node MAY multicast a DAO message to the link-local scope all-       RPL-nodes multicast address.   2.  A multicast DAO message MUST be used only to advertise       information about the node itself, i.e., prefixes directly       connected to or owned by the node, such as a multicast group that       the node is subscribed to or a global address owned by the node.   3.  A multicast DAO message MUST NOT be used to relay connectivity       information learned (e.g., through unicast DAO) from another       node.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 89]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   4.  A node MUST NOT perform any other DAO-related processing on a       received multicast DAO message; in particular, a node MUST NOT       perform the actions of a DAO parent upon receipt of a multicast       DAO.   o  The multicast DAO may be used to enable direct P2P communication,      without needing the DODAG to relay the packets.10.  Security Mechanisms   This section describes the generation and processing of secure RPL   messages.  The high-order bit of the RPL message code identifies   whether or not a RPL message is secure.  In addition to secure   versions of basic control messages (DIS, DIO, DAO, DAO-ACK), RPL has   several messages that are relevant only in networks that are security   enabled.   Implementation complexity and size is a core concern for LLNs such   that it may be economically or physically impossible to include   sophisticated security provisions in a RPL implementation.   Furthermore, many deployments can utilize link-layer or other   security mechanisms to meet their security requirements without   requiring the use of security in RPL.   Therefore, the security features described in this document are   OPTIONAL to implement.  A given implementation MAY support a subset   (including the empty set) of the described security features, for   example, it could support integrity and confidentiality, but not   signatures.  An implementation SHOULD clearly specify which security   mechanisms are supported, and it is RECOMMENDED that implementers   carefully consider security requirements and the availability of   security mechanisms in their network.10.1.  Security Overview   RPL supports three security modes:   o  Unsecured.  In this security mode, RPL uses basic DIS, DIO, DAO,      and DAO-ACK messages, which do not have Security sections.  As a      network could be using other security mechanisms, such as link-      layer security, unsecured mode does not imply all messages are      sent without any protection.   o  Preinstalled.  In this security mode, RPL uses secure messages.      To join a RPL Instance, a node must have a preinstalled key.      Nodes use this to provide message confidentiality, integrity, and      authenticity.  A node may, using this preinstalled key, join the      RPL network as either a host or a router.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 90]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   o  Authenticated.  In this security mode, RPL uses secure messages.      To join a RPL Instance, a node must have a preinstalled key.      Nodes use this key to provide message confidentiality, integrity,      and authenticity.  Using this preinstalled key, a node may join      the network as a host only.  To join the network as a router, a      node must obtain a second key from a key authority.  This key      authority can authenticate that the requester is allowed to be a      router before providing it with the second key.  Authenticated      mode cannot be supported by symmetric algorithms.  As of the      writing of this specification, RPL supports only symmetric      algorithms: authenticated mode is included for the benefit of      potential future cryptographic primitives.  SeeSection 10.3.   Whether or not the RPL Instance uses unsecured mode is signaled by   whether it uses secure RPL messages.  Whether a secured network uses   the preinstalled or authenticated mode is signaled by the 'A' bit of   the DAG Configuration option.   This specification specifies CCM -- Counter with CBC-MAC (Cipher   Block Chaining - Message Authentication Code) -- as the cryptographic   basis for RPL security [RFC3610].  In this specification, CCM uses   AES-128 as its underlying cryptographic algorithm.  There are bits   reserved in the Security section to specify other algorithms in the   future.   All secured RPL messages have either a MAC or a signature.   Optionally, secured RPL messages also have encryption protection for   confidentiality.  Secured RPL message formats support both integrated   encryption/authentication schemes (e.g., CCM) as well as schemes that   separately encrypt and authenticate packets.10.2.  Joining a Secure Network   RPL security assumes that a node wishing to join a secured network   has been pre-configured with a shared key for communicating with   neighbors and the RPL root.  To join a secure RPL network, a node   either listens for secure DIOs or triggers secure DIOs by sending a   secure DIS.  In addition to the DIO/DIS rules inSection 8, secure   DIO and DIS messages have these rules:   1.  If sent, this initial secure DIS MUST set the Key Identifier Mode       field to 0 (00) and MUST set the Security Level field to 1 (001).       The key used MUST be the pre-configured group key (Key Index       0x00).   2.  When a node resets its Trickle timer in response to a secure DIS       (Section 8.3), the next DIO it transmits MUST be a secure DIO       with the same security configuration as the secure DIS.  If aWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 91]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012       node receives multiple secure DIS messages before it transmits a       DIO, the secure DIO MUST have the same security configuration as       the last DIS to which it is responding.   3.  When a node sends a DIO in response to a unicast secure DIS       (Section 8.3), the DIO MUST be a secure DIO.   The above rules allow a node to join a secured RPL Instance using the   pre-configured shared key.  Once a node has joined the DODAG using   the pre-configured shared key, the 'A' bit of the Configuration   option determines its capabilities.  If the 'A' bit of the   Configuration option is cleared, then nodes can use this   preinstalled, shared key to exchange messages normally: it can issue   DIOs, DAOs, etc.   If the 'A' bit of the Configuration option is set and the RPL   Instance is operating in authenticated mode:   1.  A node MUST NOT advertise a Rank besides INFINITE_RANK in secure       DIOs secured with Key Index 0x00.  When processing DIO messages       secured with Key Index 0x00, a processing node MUST consider the       advertised Rank to be INFINITE_RANK.  Any other value results in       the message being discarded.   2.  Secure DAOs using a Key Index 0x00 MUST NOT have a RPL Target       option with a prefix besides the node's address.  If a node       receives a secured DAO message using the preinstalled, shared key       where the RPL Target option does not match the IPv6 source       address, it MUST discard the secured DAO message without further       processing.   The above rules mean that in RPL Instances where the 'A' bit is set,   using Key Index 0x00, a node can join the RPL Instance as a host but   not a router.  A node must communicate with a key authority to obtain   a key that will enable it to act as a router.10.3.  Installing Keys   Authenticated mode requires a would-be router to dynamically install   new keys once they have joined a network as a host.  Having joined as   a host, the node uses standard IP messaging to communicate with an   authorization server, which can provide new keys.   The protocol to obtain such keys is out of scope for this   specification and to be elaborated in future specifications.  That   elaboration is required for RPL to securely operate in authenticated   mode.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 92]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 201210.4.  Consistency Checks   RPL nodes send Consistency Check (CC) messages to protect against   replay attacks and synchronize counters.   1.  If a node receives a unicast CC message with the 'R' bit cleared,       and it is a member of or is in the process of joining the       associated DODAG, it SHOULD respond with a unicast CC message to       the sender.  This response MUST have the 'R' bit set, and it MUST       have the same CC nonce, RPLInstanceID, and DODAGID fields as the       message it received.   2.  If a node receives a multicast CC message, it MUST discard the       message with no further processing.   Consistency Check messages allow nodes to issue a challenge-response   to validate a node's current counter value.  Because the CC nonce is   generated by the challenger, an adversary replaying messages is   unlikely to be able to generate a correct response.  The counter in   the Consistency Check response allows the challenger to validate the   counter values it hears.10.5.  Counters   In the simplest case, the counter value is an unsigned integer that a   node increments by one or more on each secured RPL transmission.  The   counter MAY represent a timestamp that has the following properties:   1.  The timestamp MUST be at least six octets long.   2.  The timestamp MUST be in 1024 Hz (binary millisecond)       granularity.   3.  The timestamp start time MUST be January 1, 1970, 12:00:00AM UTC.   4.  If the counter represents a timestamp, the counter value MUST be       a value computed as follows.  Let T be the timestamp, S be the       start time of the key in use, and E be the end time of the key in       use.  Both S and E are represented using the same three rules as       the timestamp described above.  If E > T < S, then the counter is       invalid and a node MUST NOT generate a packet.  Otherwise, the       counter value is equal to T-S.   5.  If the counter represents such a timestamp, a node MAY set the       'T' flag of the Security section of secured RPL packets.   6.  If the Counter field does not present such a timestamp, then a       node MUST NOT set the 'T' flag.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 93]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   7.  If a node does not have a local timestamp that satisfies the       above requirements, it MUST ignore the 'T' flag.   If a node supports such timestamps and it receives a message with the   'T' flag set, it MAY apply the temporal check on the received message   described inSection 10.7.1.  If a node receives a message without   the 'T' flag set, it MUST NOT apply this temporal check.  A node's   security policy MAY, for application reasons, include rejecting all   messages without the 'T' flag set.   The 'T' flag is present because many LLNs today already maintain   global time synchronization at sub-millisecond granularity for   security, application, and other reasons.  Allowing RPL to leverage   this existing functionality when present greatly simplifies solutions   to some security problems, such as delay protection.10.6.  Transmission of Outgoing Packets   Given an outgoing RPL control packet and the required security   protection, this section describes how RPL generates the secured   packet to transmit.  It also describes the order of cryptographic   operations to provide the required protection.   The requirement for security protection and the level of security to   be applied to an outgoing RPL packet shall be determined by the   node's security policy database.  The configuration of this security   policy database for outgoing packet processing is implementation   specific.   Where secured RPL messages are to be transmitted, a RPL node MUST set   the Security section (T, Sec, KIM, and LVL) in the outgoing RPL   packet to describe the protection level and security settings that   are applied (seeSection 6.1).  The Security subfield bit of the RPL   Message Code field MUST be set to indicate the secure RPL message.   The counter value used in constructing the AES-128 CCM nonce   (Figure 31) to secure the outgoing packet MUST be an increment of the   last counter transmitted to the particular destination address.   Where security policy specifies the application of delay protection,   the Timestamp counter used in constructing the CCM nonce to secure   the outgoing packet MUST be incremented according to the rules inSection 10.5.  Where a Timestamp counter is applied (indicated with   the 'T' flag set), the locally maintained Timestamp counter MUST be   included as part of the transmitted secured RPL message.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 94]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   The cryptographic algorithm used in securing the outgoing packet   shall be specified by the node's security policy database and MUST be   indicated in the value of the Sec field set within the outgoing   message.   The security policy for the outgoing packet shall determine the   applicable KIM and Key Identifier specifying the security key to be   used for the cryptographic packet processing, including the optional   use of signature keys (seeSection 6.1).  The security policy will   also specify the algorithm (Algorithm) and level of protection   (Level) in the form of authentication or authentication and   encryption, and potential use of signatures that shall apply to the   outgoing packet.   Where encryption is applied, a node MUST replace the original packet   payload with that payload encrypted using the security protection,   key, and CCM nonce specified in the Security section of the packet.   All secured RPL messages include integrity protection.  In   conjunction with the security algorithm processing, a node derives   either a MAC or signature that MUST be included as part of the   outgoing secured RPL packet.10.7.  Reception of Incoming Packets   This section describes the reception and processing of a secured RPL   packet.  Given an incoming secured RPL packet, where the Security   subfield bit of the RPL Message Code field is set, this section   describes how RPL generates an unencrypted variant of the packet and   validates its integrity.   The receiver uses the RPL security control fields to determine the   necessary packet security processing.  If the described level of   security for the message type and originator is unknown or does not   meet locally maintained security policies, a node MUST discard the   packet without further processing, MAY raise a management alert, and   MUST NOT send any messages in response.  These policies can include   security levels, keys used, source identifiers, or the lack of   timestamp-based counters (as indicated by the 'T' flag).  The   configuration of the security policy database for incoming packet   processing is out of scope for this specification (it may, for   example, be defined through DIO Configuration or through out-of-band   administrative router configuration).   Where the message Security Level (LVL) indicates an encrypted RPL   message, the node uses the key information identified through the KIM   field as well as the CCM nonce as input to the message payload   decryption processing.  The CCM nonce shall be derived from theWinter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 95]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   message Counter field and other received and locally maintained   information (seeSection 10.9.1).  The plaintext message contents   shall be obtained by invoking the inverse cryptographic mode of   operation specified by the Sec field of the received packet.   The receiver shall use the CCM nonce and identified key information   to check the integrity of the incoming packet.  If the integrity   check fails against the received MAC, a node MUST discard the packet.   If the received message has an initialized (zero value) counter value   and the receiver has an incoming counter currently maintained for the   originator of the message, the receiver MUST initiate a counter   resynchronization by sending a Consistency Check response message   (seeSection 6.6) to the message source.  The Consistency Check   response message shall be protected with the current full outgoing   counter maintained for the particular node address.  That outgoing   counter will be included within the security section of the message   while the incoming counter will be included within the Consistency   Check message payload.   Based on the specified security policy, a node MAY apply replay   protection for a received RPL message.  The replay check SHOULD be   performed before the authentication of the received packet.  The   counter, as obtained from the incoming packet, shall be compared   against the watermark of the incoming counter maintained for the   given origination node address.  If the received message counter   value is non-zero and less than the maintained incoming counter   watermark, a potential packet replay is indicated and the node MUST   discard the incoming packet.   If delay protection is specified as part of the incoming packet   security policy checks, the Timestamp counter is used to validate the   timeliness of the received RPL message.  If the incoming message   Timestamp counter value indicates a message transmission time prior   to the locally maintained transmission time counter for the   originator address, a replay violation is indicated and the node MUST   discard the incoming packet.  If the received Timestamp counter value   indicates a message transmission time that is earlier than the   Current time less the acceptable packet delay, a delay violation is   indicated and the node MUST discard the incoming packet.   Once a message has been decrypted, where applicable, and has   successfully passed its integrity check, replay check, and optionally   delay-protection checks, the node can update its local security   information, such as the source's expected counter value for replay   comparison.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 96]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   A node MUST NOT update its security information on receipt of a   message that fails security policy checks or other applied integrity,   replay, or delay checks.10.7.1.  Timestamp Key Checks   If the 'T' flag of a message is set and a node has a local timestamp   that follows the requirements inSection 10.5, then a node MAY check   the temporal consistency of the message.  The node computes the   transmit time of the message by adding the counter value to the start   time of the associated key.  If this transmit time is past the end   time of the key, the node MAY discard the message without further   processing.  If the transmit time is too far in the past or future   compared to the local time on the receiver, it MAY discard the   message without further processing.10.8.  Coverage of Integrity and Confidentiality   For a RPL ICMPv6 message, the entire packet is within the scope of   RPL security.   MACs and signatures are calculated over the entire unsecured IPv6   packet.  When computing MACs and signatures, mutable IPv6 fields are   considered to be filled with zeroes, following the rules inSection3.3.3.1 of [RFC4302] (IPsec Authenticated Header).  MAC and signature   calculations are performed before any compression that lower layers   may apply.   When a RPL ICMPv6 message is encrypted, encryption starts at the   first byte after the Security section and continues to the last byte   of the packet.  The IPv6 header, ICMPv6 header, and RPL message up to   the end of the Security section are not encrypted, as they are needed   to correctly decrypt the packet.   For example, a node sending a message with LVL=1, KIM=0, and   Algorithm=0 uses the CCM algorithm [RFC3610] to create a packet with   attributes ENC-MAC-32: it encrypts the packet and appends a 32-bit   MAC.  The block cipher key is determined by the Key Index.  The CCM   nonce is computed as described inSection 10.9.1; the message to   authenticate and encrypt is the RPL message starting at the first   byte after the Security section and ends with the last byte of the   packet.  The additional authentication data starts with the beginning   of the IPv6 header and ends with the last byte of the RPL Security   section.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 97]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 201210.9.  Cryptographic Mode of Operation   The cryptographic mode of operation described in this specification   (Algorithm = 0) is based on CCM and the block-cipher AES-128   [RFC3610].  This mode of operation is widely supported by existing   implementations.  CCM mode requires a nonce (CCM nonce).10.9.1.  CCM Nonce   A RPL node constructs a CCM nonce as follows:        0                   1                   2                   3        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                                                               |       +                       Source Identifier                       +       |                                                               |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |                            Counter                            |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+       |KIM|Resvd| LVL |       +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+                           Figure 31: CCM Nonce   Source Identifier: 8 bytes.  Source Identifier is set to the logical         identifier of the originator of the protected packet.   Counter: 4 bytes.  Counter is set to the (uncompressed) value of the         corresponding field in the Security option of the RPL control         message.   Key Identifier Mode (KIM): 2 bits.  KIM is set to the value of the         corresponding field in the Security option of the RPL control         message.   Security Level (LVL): 3 bits.  Security Level is set to the value of         the corresponding field in the Security option of the RPL         control message.   Unassigned bits of the CCM nonce are reserved.  They MUST be set to   zero when constructing the CCM nonce.   All fields of the CCM nonce are represented in most significant octet   and most significant bit first order.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 98]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 201210.9.2.  Signatures   If the KIM indicates the use of signatures (a value of 3), then a   node appends a signature to the data payload of the packet.  The   Security Level (LVL) field describes the length of this signature.   The signature scheme in RPL for Security Mode 3 is an instantiation   of the RSA algorithm (RSASSA-PSS) as defined inSection 8.1 of   [RFC3447].  As public key, it uses the pair (n,e), where n is a   2048-bit or 3072-bit RSA modulus and where e=2^{16}+1.  It uses CCM   mode [RFC3610] as the encryption scheme with M=0 (as a stream-   cipher).  Note that although [RFC3610] disallows the CCM mode with   M=0, RPL explicitly allows the CCM mode with M=0 when used in   conjunction with a signature, because the signature provides   sufficient data authentication.  Here, the CCM mode with M=0 is   specified as in [RFC3610], but where the M' field inSection 2.2 MUST   be set to 0.  It uses the SHA-256 hash function specified inSection6.2 of [FIPS180].  It uses the message encoding rules ofSection 8.1   of [RFC3447].   Let 'a' be a concatenation of a 6-byte representation of counter and   the message header.  The packet payload is the right-concatenation of   packet data 'm' and the signature 's'.  This signature scheme is   invoked with the right-concatenation of the message parts a and m,   whereas the signature verification is invoked with the right-   concatenation of the message parts a and m and with signature s.   RSA signatures of this form provide sufficient protection for RPL   networks.  If needed, alternative signature schemes that produce more   concise signatures is out of scope for this specification and may be   the subject of a future specification.   An implementation that supports RSA signing with either 2048-bit or   3072-bit signatures SHOULD support verification of both 2048-bit and   3072-bit RSA signatures.  This is in consideration of providing an   upgrade path for a RPL deployment.11.  Packet Forwarding and Loop Avoidance/Detection11.1.  Suggestions for Packet Forwarding   This document specifies a routing protocol.  These non-normative   suggestions are provided to aid in the design of a forwarding   implementation by illustrating how such an implementation could work   with RPL.   When forwarding a packet to a destination, precedence is given to   selection of a next-hop successor as follows:Winter, et al.               Standards Track                   [Page 99]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   1.  This specification only covers how a successor is selected from       the DODAG Version that matches the RPLInstanceID marked in the       IPv6 header of the packet being forwarded.  Routing outside the       instance can be done as long as additional rules are put in place       such as strict ordering of instances and routing protocols to       protect against loops.  Such rules may be defined in a separate       document.   2.  If a local administrative preference favors a route that has been       learned from a different routing protocol than RPL, then use that       successor.   3.  If the packet header specifies a source route by including an RH4       header as specified in [RFC6554], then use that route.  If the       node fails to forward the packet with that specified source       route, then that packet should be dropped.  The node MAY log an       error.  The node may send an ICMPv6 error in Source Routing       Header message to the source of the packet (seeSection 20.18).   4.  If there is an entry in the routing table matching the       destination that has been learned from a multicast destination       advertisement (e.g., the destination is a one-hop neighbor), then       use that successor.   5.  If there is an entry in the routing table matching the       destination that has been learned from a unicast destination       advertisement (e.g., the destination is located Down the sub-       DODAG), then use that successor.  If there are DAO Path Control       bits associated with multiple successors, then consult the Path       Control bits to order the successors by preference when choosing.       If, for a given DAO Path Control bit, multiple successors are       recorded as having asserted that bit, precedence should be given       to the successor who most recently asserted that bit.   6.  If there is a DODAG Version offering a route to a prefix matching       the destination, then select one of those DODAG parents as a       successor according to the OF and routing metrics.   7.  Any other as-yet-unattempted DODAG parent may be chosen for the       next attempt to forward a unicast packet when no better match       exists.   8.  Finally, the packet is dropped.  ICMP Destination Unreachable MAY       be invoked (an inconsistency is detected).   Hop Limit MUST be decremented when forwarding per [RFC2460].Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 100]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Note that the chosen successor MUST NOT be the neighbor that was the   predecessor of the packet (split horizon), except in the case where   it is intended for the packet to change from an Upward to a Downward   direction, as determined by the routing table of the node making the   change, such as switching from DIO routes to DAO routes as the   destination is neared in order to continue traveling toward the   destination.11.2.  Loop Avoidance and Detection   RPL loop avoidance mechanisms are kept simple and designed to   minimize churn and states.  Loops may form for a number of reasons,   e.g., control packet loss.  RPL includes a reactive loop detection   technique that protects from meltdown and triggers repair of broken   paths.   RPL loop detection uses RPL Packet Information that is transported   within the data packets, relying on an external mechanism such as   [RFC6553] that places in the RPL Packet Information in an IPv6 Hop-   by-Hop option header.   The content of RPL Packet Information is defined as follows:   Down 'O': 1-bit flag indicating whether the packet is expected to         progress Up or Down.  A router sets the 'O' flag when the         packet is expected to progress Down (using DAO routes), and         clears it when forwarding toward the DODAG root (to a node with         a lower Rank).  A host or RPL leaf node MUST set the 'O' flag         to 0.   Rank-Error 'R': 1-bit flag indicating whether a Rank error was         detected.  A Rank error is detected when there is a mismatch in         the relative Ranks and the direction as indicated in the 'O'         bit.  A host or RPL leaf node MUST set the 'R' bit to 0.   Forwarding-Error 'F': 1-bit flag indicating that this node cannot         forward the packet further towards the destination.  The 'F'         bit might be set by a child node that does not have a route to         destination for a packet with the Down 'O' bit set.  A host or         RPL leaf node MUST set the 'F' bit to 0.   RPLInstanceID: 8-bit field indicating the DODAG instance along which         the packet is sent.   SenderRank: 16-bit field set to zero by the source and to         DAGRank(rank) by a router that forwards inside the RPL network.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 101]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 201211.2.1.  Source Node Operation   If the source is aware of the RPLInstanceID that is preferred for the   packet, then it MUST set the RPLInstanceID field associated with the   packet accordingly; otherwise, it MUST set it to the   RPL_DEFAULT_INSTANCE.11.2.2.  Router Operation11.2.2.1.  Instance Forwarding   The RPLInstanceID is associated by the source with the packet.  This   RPLInstanceID MUST match the RPL Instance onto which the packet is   placed by any node, be it a host or router.  The RPLInstanceID is   part of the RPL Packet Information.   A RPL router that forwards a packet in the RPL network MUST check if   the packet includes the RPL Packet Information.  If not, then the RPL   router MUST insert the RPL Packet Information.  If the router is an   ingress router that injects the packet into the RPL network, the   router MUST set the RPLInstanceID field in the RPL Packet   Information.  The details of how that router determines the mapping   to a RPLInstanceID are out of scope for this specification and left   to future specification.   A router that forwards a packet outside the RPL network MUST remove   the RPL Packet Information.   When a router receives a packet that specifies a given RPLInstanceID   and the node can forward the packet along the DODAG associated to   that instance, then the router MUST do so and leave the RPLInstanceID   value unchanged.   If any node cannot forward a packet along the DODAG associated with   the RPLInstanceID, then the node SHOULD discard the packet and send   an ICMP error message.11.2.2.2.  DAG Inconsistency Loop Detection   The DODAG is inconsistent if the direction of a packet does not match   the Rank relationship.  A receiver detects an inconsistency if it   receives a packet with either:      the 'O' bit set (to Down) from a node of a higher Rank.      the 'O' bit cleared (for Up) from a node of a lower Rank.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 102]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   When the DODAG root increments the DODAGVersionNumber, a temporary   Rank discontinuity may form between the next DODAG Version and the   prior DODAG Version, in particular, if nodes are adjusting their Rank   in the next DODAG Version and deferring their migration into the next   DODAG Version.  A router that is still a member of the prior DODAG   Version may choose to forward a packet to a (future) parent that is   in the next DODAG Version.  In some cases, this could cause the   parent to detect an inconsistency because the Rank-ordering in the   prior DODAG Version is not necessarily the same as in the next DODAG   Version, and the packet may be judged not to be making forward   progress.  If the sending router is aware that the chosen successor   has already joined the next DODAG Version, then the sending router   MUST update the SenderRank to INFINITE_RANK as it forwards the   packets across the discontinuity into the next DODAG Version in order   to avoid a false detection of Rank inconsistency.   One inconsistency along the path is not considered a critical error   and the packet may continue.  However, a second detection along the   path of the same packet should not occur and the packet MUST be   dropped.   This process is controlled by the Rank-Error bit associated with the   packet.  When an inconsistency is detected on a packet, if the Rank-   Error bit was not set, then the Rank-Error bit is set.  If it was set   the packet MUST be discarded and the Trickle timer MUST be reset.11.2.2.3.  DAO Inconsistency Detection and Recovery   DAO inconsistency loop recovery is a mechanism that applies to   Storing mode of operation only.   In Non-Storing mode, the packets are source routed to the   destination, and DAO inconsistencies are not corrected locally.   Instead, an ICMP error with a new code "Error in Source Routing   Header" is sent back to the root.  The "Error in Source Routing   Header" message has the same format as the "Destination Unreachable   Message", as specified in [RFC4443].  The portion of the invoking   packet that is sent back in the ICMP message should record at least   up to the routing header, and the routing header should be consumed   by this node so that the destination in the IPv6 header is the next   hop that this node could not reach.   A DAO inconsistency happens when a router has a Downward route that   was previously learned from a DAO message via a child, but that   Downward route is not longer valid in the child, e.g., because that   related state in the child has been cleaned up.  With DAO   inconsistency loop recovery, a packet can be used to recursively   explore and clean up the obsolete DAO states along a sub-DODAG.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 103]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   In a general manner, a packet that goes Down should never go Up   again.  If DAO inconsistency loop recovery is applied, then the   router SHOULD send the packet back to the parent that passed it with   the Forwarding-Error 'F' bit set and the 'O' bit left untouched.   Otherwise, the router MUST silently discard the packet.   Upon receiving a packet with a Forwarding-Error bit set, the node   MUST remove the routing states that caused forwarding to that   neighbor, clear the Forwarding-Error bit, and attempt to send the   packet again.  The packet may be sent to an alternate neighbor, after   the expiration of a user-configurable implementation-specific timer.   If that alternate neighbor still has an inconsistent DAO state via   this node, the process will recurse, this node will set the   Forwarding-Error 'F' bit, and the routing state in the alternate   neighbor will be cleaned up as well.12.  Multicast Operation   This section describes a multicast routing operation over an IPv6 RPL   network and, specifically, how unicast DAOs can be used to relay   group registrations.  The same DODAG construct can be used to forward   unicast and multicast traffic.  This section is limited to a   description of how group registrations may be exchanged and how the   forwarding infrastructure operates.  It does not provide a full   description of multicast within an LLN and, in particular, does not   describe the generation of DODAGs specifically targeted at multicast   or the details of operating RPL for multicast -- that will be the   subject of further specifications.   The multicast group registration uses DAO messages that are identical   to unicast except for the type of address that is transported.  The   main difference is that the multicast traffic going down is copied to   all the children that have registered with the multicast group,   whereas unicast traffic is passed to one child only.   Nodes that support the RPL Storing mode of operation SHOULD also   support multicast DAO operations as described below.  Nodes that only   support the Non-Storing mode of operation are not expected to support   this section.   The multicast operation is controlled by the MOP field in the DIO.   o  If the MOP field requires multicast support, then a node that      joins the RPL network as a router must operate as described in      this section for multicast signaling and forwarding within the RPL      network.  A node that does not support the multicast operation      required by the MOP field can only join as a leaf.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 104]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   o  If the MOP field does not require multicast support, then      multicast is handled by some other way that is out of scope for      this specification.  (Examples may include a series of unicast      copies or limited-scope flooding).   A router might select to pass a listener registration DAO message to   its preferred parent only; in which case, multicast packets coming   back might be lost for all of its sub-DODAGs if the transmission   fails over that link.  Alternatively, the router might select copying   additional parents as it would do for DAO messages advertising   unicast destinations; in which case, there might be duplicates that   the router will need to prune.   As a result, multicast routing states are installed in each router on   the way from the listeners to the DODAG root, enabling the root to   copy a multicast packet to all its children routers that had issued a   DAO message including a Target option for that multicast group.   For a multicast packet sourced from inside the DODAG, the packet is   passed to the preferred parents, and if that fails, then to the   alternates in the DODAG.  The packet is also copied to all the   registered children, except for the one that passed the packet.   Finally, if there is a listener in the external infrastructure, then   the DODAG root has to further propagate the packet into the external   infrastructure.   As a result, the DODAG root acts as an automatic proxy Rendezvous   Point for the RPL network and as source towards the non-RPL domain   for all multicast flows started in the RPL domain.  So, regardless of   whether the root is actually attached to a non-RPL domain, and   regardless of whether the DODAG is grounded or floating, the root can   serve inner multicast streams at all times.13.  Maintenance of Routing Adjacency   The selection of successors, along the default paths Up along the   DODAG, or along the paths learned from destination advertisements   Down along the DODAG, leads to the formation of routing adjacencies   that require maintenance.   In IGPs, such as OSPF [RFC4915] or IS-IS [RFC5120], the maintenance   of a routing adjacency involves the use of keepalive mechanisms   (Hellos) or other protocols such as the Bidirectional Forwarding   Detection (BFD) [RFC5881] and the MANET Neighborhood Discovery   Protocol (NHDP) [RFC6130].  Unfortunately, such a proactive approach   is often not desirable in constrained environments where it would   lead to excessive control traffic in light of the data traffic with a   negative impact on both link loads and nodes resources.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 105]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   By contrast with those routing protocols, RPL does not define any   keepalive mechanisms to detect routing adjacency failures: this is   because in many cases, such a mechanism would be too expensive in   terms of bandwidth and, even more importantly, energy (a battery-   operated device could not afford to send periodic keepalives).  Still   RPL requires an external mechanisms to detect that a neighbor is no   longer reachable.  Such a mechanism should preferably be reactive to   traffic in order to minimize the overhead to maintain the routing   adjacency and focus on links that are actually being used.   Example reactive mechanisms that can be used include:      The Neighbor Unreachability Detection [RFC4861] mechanism.      Layer 2 triggers [RFC5184] derived from events such as association      states and L2 acknowledgements.14.  Guidelines for Objective Functions   An Objective Function (OF), in conjunction with routing metrics and   constraints, allows for the selection of a DODAG to join, and a   number of peers in that DODAG as parents.  The OF is used to compute   an ordered list of parents.  The OF is also responsible to compute   the Rank of the device within the DODAG Version.   The Objective Function is indicated in the DIO message using an   Objective Code Point (OCP), and it indicates the method that must be   used to construct the DODAG.  The Objective Code Points are specified   in [RFC6552] and related companion specifications.14.1.  Objective Function Behavior   Most Objective Functions are expected to follow the same abstract   behavior at a node:   o  The parent selection is triggered each time an event indicates      that a potential next-hop information is updated.  This might      happen upon the reception of a DIO message, a timer elapse, all      DODAG parents are unavailable, or a trigger indicating that the      state of a candidate neighbor has changed.   o  An OF scans all the interfaces on the node.  Although, there may      typically be only one interface in most application scenarios,      there might be multiple of them and an interface might be      configured to be usable or not for RPL operation.  An interface      can also be configured with a preference or dynamically learned to      be better than another by some heuristics that might be link-layer      dependent and are out of scope for this specification.  Finally,Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 106]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012      an interface might or might not match a required criterion for an      Objective Function, for instance, a degree of security.  As a      result, some interfaces might be completely excluded from the      computation, for example, if those interfaces cannot satisfy some      advertised constraints, while others might be more or less      preferred.   o  An OF scans all the candidate neighbors on the possible interfaces      to check whether they can act as a router for a DODAG.  There      might be many of them and a candidate neighbor might need to pass      some validation tests before it can be used.  In particular, some      link layers require experience on the activity with a router to      enable the router as a next hop.   o  An OF computes Rank of a node for comparison by adding to the Rank      of the candidate a value representing the relative locations of      the node and the candidate in the DODAG Version.      *  The increase in Rank must be at least MinHopRankIncrease.      *  To keep loop avoidance and metric optimization in alignment,         the increase in Rank should reflect any increase in the metric         value.  For example, with a purely additive metric, such as         ETX, the increase in Rank can be made proportional to the         increase in the metric.      *  Candidate neighbors that would cause the Rank of the node to         increase are not considered for parent selection.   o  Candidate neighbors that advertise an OF incompatible with the set      of OFs specified by the policy functions are ignored.   o  As it scans all the candidate neighbors, the OF keeps the current      best parent and compares its capabilities with the current      candidate neighbor.  The OF defines a number of tests that are      critical to reach the objective.  A test between the routers      determines an order relation.      *  If the routers are equal for that relation, then the next test         is attempted between the routers,      *  Else the best of the two routers becomes the current best         parent, and the scan continues with the next candidate         neighbor.      *  Some OFs may include a test to compare the Ranks that would         result if the node joined either router.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 107]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   o  When the scan is complete, the preferred parent is elected and the      node's Rank is computed as the preferred parent Rank plus the step      in Rank with that parent.   o  Other rounds of scans might be necessary to elect alternate      parents.  In the next rounds:      *  Candidate neighbors that are not in the same DODAG are ignored.      *  Candidate neighbors that are of greater Rank than the node are         ignored.      *  Candidate neighbors of an equal Rank to the node are ignored         for parent selection.      *  Candidate neighbors of a lesser Rank than the node are         preferred.15.  Suggestions for Interoperation with Neighbor Discovery   This specification directly borrows the Prefix Information Option   (PIO) and the Route Information Option (RIO) from IPv6 ND.  It is   envisioned that, as future specifications build on this base, there   may be additional cause to leverage parts of IPv6 ND.  This section   provides some suggestions for future specifications.   First and foremost, RPL is a routing protocol.  One should take great   care to preserve architecture when mapping functionalities between   RPL and ND.  RPL is for routing only.  That said, there may be   persuading technical reasons to allow for sharing options between RPL   and IPv6 ND in a particular implementation/deployment.   In general, the following guidelines apply:   o  RPL Type codes must be allocated from the RPL Control Message      Options registry.   o  RPL Length fields must be expressed in units of single octets, as      opposed to ND Length fields, which are expressed in units of 8      octets.   o  RPL options are generally not required to be aligned to 8-octet      boundaries.   o  When mapping/transposing an IPv6 ND option for redistribution as a      RPL option, any padding octets should be removed when possible.      For example, the Prefix Length field in the PIO is sufficient to      describe the length of the Prefix field.  When mapping/transposingWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 108]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012      a RPL option for redistribution as an IPv6 ND option, any such      padding octets should be restored.  This procedure must be      unambiguous.16.  Summary of Requirements for Interoperable Implementations   This section summarizes basic interoperability and references   normative text for RPL implementations operating in one of three   major modes.  Implementations are expected to support either no   Downward routes, Non-Storing mode only, or Storing mode only.  A   fourth mode, operation as a leaf, is also possible.   Implementations conforming to this specification may contain   different subsets of capabilities as appropriate to the application   scenario.  It is important for the implementer to support a level of   interoperability consistent with that required by the application   scenario.  To this end, further guidance may be provided beyond this   specification (e.g., as applicability statements), and it is   understood that in some cases such further guidance may override   portions of this specification.16.1.  Common Requirements   In a general case, the greatest level of interoperability may be   achieved when all of the nodes in a RPL LLN are cooperating to use   the same MOP, OF, metrics, and constraints, and are thus able to act   as RPL routers.  When a node is not capable of being a RPL router, it   may be possible to interoperate in a more limited manner as a RPL   leaf.   All RPL implementations need to support the use of RPL Packet   Information transported within data packets (Section 11.2).  One such   mechanism is described in [RFC6553].   RPL implementations will need to support the use of Neighbor   Unreachability Detection (NUD), or an equivalent mechanism, to   maintain the reachability of neighboring RPL nodes (Section 8.2.1).   Alternate mechanisms may be optimized to the constrained capabilities   of the implementation, such as hints from the link layer.   This specification provides means to obtain a PIO and thus form an   IPv6 address.  When that mechanism is used, it may be necessary to   perform address resolution and duplicate address detection through an   external process, such as IPv6 ND [RFC4861] or 6LoWPAN ND   [6LOWPAN-ND].Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 109]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 201216.2.  Operation as a RPL Leaf Node (Only)   o  An implementation of a leaf node (only) does not ever participate      as a RPL router.  Interoperable implementations of leaf nodes      behave as summarized inSection 8.5.   o  Support of a particular MOP encoding is not required, although if      the leaf node sends DAO messages to set up Downward routes, the      leaf node should do so in a manner consistent with the mode of      operation indicated by the MOP.   o  Support of a particular OF is not required.   o  In summary, a leaf node does not generally issue DIO messages, it      may issue DAO and DIS messages.  A leaf node accepts DIO messages      though it generally ignores DAO and DIS messages.16.3.  Operation as a RPL Router   If further guidance is not available then a RPL router implementation   MUST at least support the metric-less OF0 [RFC6552].   For consistent operation a RPL router implementation needs to support   the MOP in use by the DODAG.   All RPL routers will need to implement Trickle [RFC6206].16.3.1.  Support for Upward Routes (Only)   An implementation of a RPL router that supports only Upward routes   supports the following:   o  Upward routes (Section 8)   o  MOP encoding 0 (Section 20.3)   o  In summary, DIO and DIS messages are issued, and DAO messages are      not issued.  DIO and DIS messages are accepted, and DAO messages      are ignored.16.3.2.  Support for Upward Routes and Downward Routes in Non-Storing         Mode   An implementation of a RPL router that supports Upward routes and   Downward routes in Non-Storing mode supports the following:   o  Upward routes (Section 8)Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 110]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   o  Downward routes (Non-Storing) (Section 9)   o  MOP encoding 1 (Section 20.3)   o  Source-routed Downward traffic ([RFC6554])   o  In summary, DIO and DIS messages are issued, and DAO messages are      issued to the DODAG root.  DIO and DIS messages are accepted, and      DAO messages are ignored by nodes other than DODAG roots.      Multicast is not supported through the means described in this      specification, though it may be supported through some alternate      means.16.3.3.  Support for Upward Routes and Downward Routes in Storing Mode   An implementation of a RPL router that supports Upward routes and   Downward routes in Storing mode supports the following:   o  Upward routes (Section 8)   o  Downward routes (Storing) (Section 9)   o  MOP encoding 2 (Section 20.3)   o  In summary, DIO, DIS, and DAO messages are issued.  DIO, DIS, and      DAO messages are accepted.  Multicast is not supported through the      means described in this specification, though it may be supported      through some alternate means.16.3.3.1.  Optional Support for Basic Multicast Scheme   A Storing mode implementation may be enhanced with basic multicast   support through the following additions:   o  Basic Multicast Support (Section 12)   o  MOP encoding 3 (Section 20.3)16.4.  Items for Future Specification   A number of items are left to future specification, including but not   limited to the following:   o  How to attach a non-RPL node such as an IPv6 host, e.g., to      consistently distribute at least PIO material to the attached      node.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 111]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   o  How to obtain authentication material in support if authenticated      mode is used (Section 10.3).   o  Details of operation over multiple simultaneous instances.   o  Advanced configuration mechanisms, such as the provisioning of      RPLInstanceIDs, parameterization of Objective Functions, and      parameters to control security.  (It is expected that such      mechanisms might extend the DIO as a means to disseminate      information across the DODAG).17.  RPL Constants and Variables   The following is a summary of RPL constants and variables:   BASE_RANK: This is the Rank for a virtual root that might be used to         coordinate multiple roots.  BASE_RANK has a value of 0.   ROOT_RANK: This is the Rank for a DODAG root.  ROOT_RANK has a value         of MinHopRankIncrease (as advertised by the DODAG root), such         that DAGRank(ROOT_RANK) is 1.   INFINITE_RANK: This is the constant maximum for the Rank.         INFINITE_RANK has a value of 0xFFFF.   RPL_DEFAULT_INSTANCE: This is the RPLInstanceID that is used by this         protocol by a node without any overriding policy.         RPL_DEFAULT_INSTANCE has a value of 0.   DEFAULT_PATH_CONTROL_SIZE: This is the default value used to         configure PCS in the DODAG Configuration option, which dictates         the number of significant bits in the Path Control field of the         Transit Information option.  DEFAULT_PATH_CONTROL_SIZE has a         value of 0.  This configures the simplest case limiting the         fan-out to 1 and limiting a node to send a DAO message to only         one parent.   DEFAULT_DIO_INTERVAL_MIN: This is the default value used to configure         Imin for the DIO Trickle timer.  DEFAULT_DIO_INTERVAL_MIN has a         value of 3.  This configuration results in Imin of 8 ms.   DEFAULT_DIO_INTERVAL_DOUBLINGS: This is the default value used to         configure Imax for the DIO Trickle timer.         DEFAULT_DIO_INTERVAL_DOUBLINGS has a value of 20.  This         configuration results in a maximum interval of 2.3 hours.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 112]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   DEFAULT_DIO_REDUNDANCY_CONSTANT: This is the default value used to         configure k for the DIO Trickle timer.         DEFAULT_DIO_REDUNDANCY_CONSTANT has a value of 10.  This         configuration is a conservative value for Trickle suppression         mechanism.   DEFAULT_MIN_HOP_RANK_INCREASE: This is the default value of         MinHopRankIncrease.  DEFAULT_MIN_HOP_RANK_INCREASE has a value         of 256.  This configuration results in an 8-bit wide integer         part of Rank.   DEFAULT_DAO_DELAY: This is the default value for the DelayDAO Timer.         DEFAULT_DAO_DELAY has a value of 1 second.  SeeSection 9.5.   DIO Timer: One instance per DODAG of which a node is a member.         Expiry triggers DIO message transmission.  A Trickle timer with         variable interval in [0,         DIOIntervalMin..2^DIOIntervalDoublings].  SeeSection 8.3.1   DAG Version Increment Timer: Up to one instance per DODAG of which         the node is acting as DODAG root.  May not be supported in all         implementations.  Expiry triggers increment of         DODAGVersionNumber, causing a new series of updated DIO message         to be sent.  Interval should be chosen appropriate to         propagation time of DODAG and as appropriate to application         requirements (e.g., response time versus overhead).   DelayDAO Timer: Up to one timer per DAO parent (the subset of DODAG         parents chosen to receive destination advertisements) per         DODAG.  Expiry triggers sending of DAO message to the DAO         parent.  SeeSection 9.5   RemoveTimer: Up to one timer per DAO entry per neighbor (i.e., those         neighbors that have given DAO messages to this node as a DODAG         parent).  Expiry may trigger No-Path advertisements or         immediately deallocate the DAO entry if there are no DAO         parents.18.  Manageability Considerations   The aim of this section is to give consideration to the manageability   of RPL, and how RPL will be operated in an LLN.  The scope of this   section is to consider the following aspects of manageability:   configuration, monitoring, fault management, accounting, and   performance of the protocol in light of the recommendations set forth   in [RFC5706].Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 113]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 201218.1.  Introduction   Most of the existing IETF management standards are MIB modules (data   models based on the Structure of Management Information (SMI)) to   monitor and manage networking devices.   For a number of protocols, the IETF community has used the IETF   Standard Management Framework, including the Simple Network   Management Protocol [RFC3410], the Structure of Management   Information [RFC2578], and MIB data models for managing new   protocols.   As pointed out in [RFC5706], the common policy in terms of operation   and management has been expanded to a policy that is more open to a   set of tools and management protocols rather than strictly relying on   a single protocol such as SNMP.   In 2003, the Internet Architecture Board (IAB) held a workshop on   Network Management [RFC3535] that discussed the strengths and   weaknesses of some IETF network management protocols and compared   them to operational needs, especially configuration.   One issue discussed was the user-unfriendliness of the binary format   of SNMP [RFC3410].  In the case of LLNs, it must be noted that at the   time of writing, the CoRE working group is actively working on   resource management of devices in LLNs.  Still, it is felt that this   section provides important guidance on how RPL should be deployed,   operated, and managed.   As stated in [RFC5706]:      A management information model should include a discussion of what      is manageable, which aspects of the protocol need to be      configured, what types of operations are allowed, what protocol-      specific events might occur, which events can be counted, and for      which events an operator should be notified.   These aspects are discussed in detail in the following sections.   RPL will be used on a variety of devices that may have resources such   as memory varying from a few kilobytes to several hundreds of   kilobytes and even megabytes.  When memory is highly constrained, it   may not be possible to satisfy all the requirements listed in this   section.  Still it is worth listing all of these in an exhaustive   fashion, and implementers will then determine which of these   requirements could be satisfied according to the available resources   on the device.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 114]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 201218.2.  Configuration Management   This section discusses the configuration management, listing the   protocol parameters for which configuration management is relevant.   Some of the RPL parameters are optional.  The requirements for   configuration are only applicable for the options that are used.18.2.1.  Initialization Mode   "Architectural Principles of the Internet"[RFC1958], Section 3.8,   states: "Avoid options and parameters whenever possible.  Any options   and parameters should be configured or negotiated dynamically rather   than manually".  This is especially true in LLNs where the number of   devices may be large and manual configuration is infeasible.  This   has been taken into account in the design of RPL whereby the DODAG   root provides a number of parameters to the devices joining the   DODAG, thus avoiding cumbersome configuration on the routers and   potential sources of misconfiguration (e.g., values of Trickle   timers, etc.).  Still, there are additional RPL parameters that a RPL   implementation should allow to be configured, which are discussed in   this section.18.2.1.1.  DIS Mode of Operation upon Boot-Up   When a node is first powered up:   1.  The node may decide to stay silent, waiting to receive DIO       messages from DODAG of interest (advertising a supported OF and       metrics/constraints) and not send any multicast DIO messages       until it has joined a DODAG.   2.  The node may decide to send one or more DIS messages (optionally,       requesting DIO for a specific DODAG) as an initial probe for       nearby DODAGs, and in the absence of DIO messages in reply after       some configurable period of time, the node may decide to root a       floating DODAG and start sending multicast DIO messages.   A RPL implementation SHOULD allow configuring the preferred mode of   operation listed above along with the required parameters (in the   second mode: the number of DIS messages and related timer).18.2.2.  DIO and DAO Base Message and Options Configuration   RPL specifies a number of protocol parameters considering the large   spectrum of applications where it will be used.  That said,   particular attention has been given to limiting the number of these   parameters that must be configured on each RPL router.  Instead, aWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 115]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   number of the default values can be used, and when required these   parameters can be provided by the DODAG root thus allowing for   dynamic parameter setting.   A RPL implementation SHOULD allow configuring the following routing   protocol parameters.  As pointed out above, note that a large set of   parameters is configured on the DODAG root.18.2.3.  Protocol Parameters to Be Configured on Every Router in the LLN   A RPL implementation MUST allow configuring the following RPL   parameters:   o  RPLInstanceID [DIO message, in DIO Base message].  Although the      RPLInstanceID must be configured on the DODAG root, it must also      be configured as a policy on every node in order to determine      whether or not the node should join a particular DODAG.  Note that      a second RPLInstanceID can be configured on the node, should it      become root of a floating DODAG.   o  List of supported Objective Code Points (OCPs)   o  List of supported metrics: [RFC6551] specifies a number of metrics      and constraints used for the DODAG formation.  Thus, a RPL      implementation should allow configuring the list of metrics that a      node can accept and understand.  If a DIO is received with a      metric and/or constraint that is not understood or supported, as      specified inSection 8.5, the node would join as a leaf node.   o  Prefix Information, along with valid and preferred lifetime and      the 'L' and 'A' flags.  [DIO message, Prefix Information Option].      A RPL implementation SHOULD allow configuring if the Prefix      Information option must be carried with the DIO message to      distribute the Prefix Information for autoconfiguration.  In that      case, the RPL implementation MUST allow the list of prefixes to be      advertised in the PIO along with the corresponding flags.   o  Solicited Information [DIS message, in Solicited Information      option].  Note that a RPL implementation SHOULD allow configuring      when such messages should be sent and under which circumstances,      along with the value of the RPLInstance ID, 'V'/'I'/'D' flags.   o  'K' flag: when a node should set the 'K' flag in a DAO message      [DAO message, in DAO Base message].   o  MOP (Mode of Operation) [DIO message, in DIO Base message].Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 116]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   o  Route Information (and preference) [DIO message, in Route      Information option]18.2.4.  Protocol Parameters to Be Configured on Every Non-DODAG-Root         Router in the LLN   A RPL implementation MUST allow configuring the Target prefix [DAO   message, in RPL Target option].   Furthermore, there are circumstances where a node may want to   designate a Target to allow for specific processing of the Target   (prioritization, etc.).  Such processing rules are out of scope for   this specification.  When used, a RPL implementation SHOULD allow   configuring the Target Descriptor on a per-Target basis (for example,   using access lists).   A node whose DODAG parent set is empty may become the DODAG root of a   floating DODAG.  It may also set its DAGPreference such that it is   less preferred.  Thus, a RPL implementation MUST allow configuring   the set of actions that the node should initiate in this case:   o  Start its own (floating) DODAG: the new DODAGID must be configured      in addition to its DAGPreference.   o  Poison the broken path (see procedure inSection 8.2.2.5).   o  Trigger a local repair.18.2.5.  Parameters to Be Configured on the DODAG Root   In addition, several other parameters are configured only on the   DODAG root and advertised in options carried in DIO messages.   As specified inSection 8.3, a RPL implementation makes use of   Trickle timers to govern the sending of DIO messages.  The operation   of the Trickle algorithm is determined by a set of configurable   parameters, which MUST be configurable and that are then advertised   by the DODAG root along the DODAG in DIO messages.   o  DIOIntervalDoublings [DIO message, in DODAG Configuration option]   o  DIOIntervalMin [DIO message, in DODAG Configuration option]   o  DIORedundancyConstant [DIO message, in DODAG Configuration option]   In addition, a RPL implementation SHOULD allow for configuring the   following set of RPL parameters:Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 117]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   o  Path Control Size [DIO message, in DODAG Configuration option]   o  MinHopRankIncrease [DIO message, in DODAG Configuration option]   o  The DODAGPreference field [DIO message, DIO Base object]   o  DODAGID [DIO message, in DIO Base option] and [DAO message, when      the 'D' flag of the DAO message is set]   DAG root behavior: in some cases, a node may not want to permanently   act as a floating DODAG root if it cannot join a grounded DODAG.  For   example, a battery-operated node may not want to act as a floating   DODAG root for a long period of time.  Thus, a RPL implementation MAY   support the ability to configure whether or not a node could act as a   floating DODAG root for a configured period of time.   DAG Version Number Increment: a RPL implementation may allow, by   configuration at the DODAG root, refreshing the DODAG states by   updating the DODAGVersionNumber.  A RPL implementation SHOULD allow   configuring whether or not periodic or event triggered mechanisms are   used by the DODAG root to control DODAGVersionNumber change (which   triggers a global repair as specified inSection 3.2.2).18.2.6.  Configuration of RPL Parameters Related to DAO-Based Mechanisms   DAO messages are optional and used in DODAGs that require Downward   routing operation.  This section deals with the set of parameters   related to DAO messages and provides recommendations on their   configuration.   As stated inSection 9.5, it is recommended to delay the sending of   DAO message to DAO parents in order to maximize the chances to   perform route aggregation.  Upon receiving a DAO message, the node   should thus start a DelayDAO timer.  The default value is   DEFAULT_DAO_DELAY.  A RPL implementation MAY allow for configuring   the DelayDAO timer.   In a Storing mode of operation, a storing node may increment DTSN in   order to reliably trigger a set of DAO updates from its immediate   children, as part of routine routing table updates and maintenance.   A RPL implementation MAY allow for configuring a set of rules   specifying the triggers for DTSN increment (manual or event-based).   When a DAO entry times out or is invalidated, a node SHOULD make a   reasonable attempt to report a No-Path to each of the DAO parents.   That number of attempts MAY be configurable.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 118]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   An implementation should support rate-limiting the sending of DAO   messages.  The related parameters MAY be configurable.18.2.7.  Configuration of RPL Parameters Related to Security Mechanisms   As described inSection 10, the security features described in this   document are optional to implement and a given implementation may   support a subset (including the empty set) of the described security   features.   To this end, an implementation supporting described security features   may conceptually implement a security policy database.  In support of   the security mechanisms, a RPL implementation SHOULD allow for   configuring a subset of the following parameters:   o  Security Modes accepted [Unsecured mode, Preinstalled mode,      Authenticated mode]   o  KIM values accepted [Secure RPL control messages, in Security      section]   o  Level values accepted [Secure RPL control messages, in Security      section]   o  Algorithm values accepted [Secure RPL control messages, in      Security section]   o  Key material in support of Authenticated or Preinstalled key      modes.   In addition, a RPL implementation SHOULD allow for configuring a   DODAG root with a subset of the following parameters:   o  Level values advertised [Secure DIO message, in Security section]   o  KIM value advertised [Secure DIO message, in Security section]   o  Algorithm value advertised [Secure DIO message, in Security      section]18.2.8.  Default Values   This document specifies default values for the following set of RPL   variables:      DEFAULT_PATH_CONTROL_SIZE      DEFAULT_DIO_INTERVAL_MIN      DEFAULT_DIO_INTERVAL_DOUBLINGS      DEFAULT_DIO_REDUNDANCY_CONSTANTWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 119]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012      DEFAULT_MIN_HOP_RANK_INCREASE      DEFAULT_DAO_DELAY   It is recommended to specify default values in protocols; that being   said, as discussed in [RFC5706], default values may make less and   less sense.  RPL is a routing protocol that is expected to be used in   a number of contexts where network characteristics such as the number   of nodes and link and node types are expected to vary significantly.   Thus, these default values are likely to change with the context and   as the technology evolves.  Indeed, LLNs' related technology (e.g.,   hardware, link layers) have been evolving dramatically over the past   few years and such technologies are expected to change and evolve   considerably in the coming years.   The proposed values are not based on extensive best current practices   and are considered to be conservative.18.3.  Monitoring of RPL Operation   Several RPL parameters should be monitored to verify the correct   operation of the routing protocol and the network itself.  This   section lists the set of monitoring parameters of interest.18.3.1.  Monitoring a DODAG Parameters   A RPL implementation SHOULD provide information about the following   parameters:   o  DODAG Version number [DIO message, in DIO Base message]   o  Status of the 'G' flag [DIO message, in DIO Base message]   o  Status of the MOP field [DIO message, in DIO Base message]   o  Value of the DTSN [DIO message, in DIO Base message]   o  Value of the Rank [DIO message, in DIO Base message]   o  DAOSequence: Incremented at each unique DAO message, echoed in the      DAO-ACK message [DAO and DAO-ACK messages]   o  Route Information [DIO message, Route Information Option] (list of      IPv6 prefixes per parent along with lifetime and preference]   o  Trickle parameters:      *  DIOIntervalDoublings [DIO message, in DODAG Configuration         option]Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 120]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012      *  DIOIntervalMin [DIO message, in DODAG Configuration option]      *  DIORedundancyConstant [DIO message, in DODAG Configuration         option]   o  Path Control Size [DIO message, in DODAG Configuration option]   o  MinHopRankIncrease [DIO message, in DODAG Configuration option]   Values that may be monitored only on the DODAG root:   o  Transit Information [DAO, Transit Information option]: A RPL      implementation SHOULD allow configuring whether the set of      received Transit Information options should be displayed on the      DODAG root.  In this case, the RPL database of received Transit      Information should also contain the Path Sequence, Path Control,      Path Lifetime, and Parent Address.18.3.2.  Monitoring a DODAG Inconsistencies and Loop Detection   Detection of DODAG inconsistencies is particularly critical in RPL   networks.  Thus, it is recommended for a RPL implementation to   provide appropriate monitoring tools.  A RPL implementation SHOULD   provide a counter reporting the number of a times the node has   detected an inconsistency with respect to a DODAG parent, e.g., if   the DODAGID has changed.   When possible more granular information about inconsistency detection   should be provided.  A RPL implementation MAY provide counters   reporting the number of following inconsistencies:   o  Packets received with 'O' bit set (to Down) from a node with a      higher Rank   o  Packets received with 'O' bit cleared (to Up) from a node with a      lower Rank   o  Number of packets with the 'F' bit set   o  Number of packets with the 'R' bit set18.4.  Monitoring of the RPL Data Structures18.4.1.  Candidate Neighbor Data Structure   A node in the candidate neighbor list is a node discovered by the   same means and qualified to potentially become a parent (with high   enough local confidence).  A RPL implementation SHOULD provide a wayWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 121]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   to allow for the candidate neighbor list to be monitored with some   metric reflecting local confidence (the degree of stability of the   neighbors) as measured by some metrics.   A RPL implementation MAY provide a counter reporting the number of   times a candidate neighbor has been ignored, should the number of   candidate neighbors exceed the maximum authorized value.18.4.2.  Destination-Oriented Directed Acyclic Graph (DODAG) Table   For each DODAG, a RPL implementation is expected to keep track of the   following DODAG table values:   o  RPLInstanceID   o  DODAGID   o  DODAGVersionNumber   o  Rank   o  Objective Code Point   o  A set of DODAG parents   o  A set of prefixes offered Upward along the DODAG   o  Trickle timers used to govern the sending of DIO messages for the      DODAG   o  List of DAO parents   o  DTSN   o  Node status (router versus leaf)   A RPL implementation SHOULD allow for monitoring the set of   parameters listed above.18.4.3.  Routing Table and DAO Routing Entries   A RPL implementation maintains several information elements related   to the DODAG and the DAO entries (for storing nodes).  In the case of   a non-storing node, a limited amount of information is maintained   (the routing table is mostly reduced to a set of DODAG parents along   with characteristics of the DODAG as mentioned above); whereas in the   case of storing nodes, this information is augmented with routing   entries.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 122]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   A RPL implementation SHOULD allow for the following parameters to be   monitored:   o  Next Hop (DODAG parent)   o  Next Hop Interface   o  Path metrics value for each DODAG parent   A DAO Routing Table entry conceptually contains the following   elements (for storing nodes only):   o  Advertising Neighbor Information   o  IPv6 address   o  Interface ID to which DAO parents has this entry been reported   o  Retry counter   o  Logical equivalent of DAO Content:      *  DAO-Sequence      *  Path Sequence      *  DAO Lifetime      *  DAO Path Control   o  Destination Prefix (or address or Mcast Group)   A RPL implementation SHOULD provide information about the state of   each DAO Routing Table entry states.18.5.  Fault Management   Fault management is a critical component used for troubleshooting,   verification of the correct mode of operation of the protocol, and   network design; also, it is a key component of network performance   monitoring.  A RPL implementation SHOULD allow the provision of the   following information related to fault managements:   o  Memory overflow along with the cause (e.g., routing tables      overflow, etc.)   o  Number of times a packet could not be sent to a DODAG parent      flagged as validWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 123]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   o  Number of times a packet has been received for which the router      did not have a corresponding RPLInstanceID   o  Number of times a local repair procedure was triggered   o  Number of times a global repair was triggered by the DODAG root   o  Number of received malformed messages   o  Number of seconds with packets to forward and no next hop (DODAG      parent)   o  Number of seconds without next hop (DODAG parent)   o  Number of times a node has joined a DODAG as a leaf because it      received a DIO with a metric/constraint that was not understood      and it was configured to join as a leaf node in this case (seeSection 18.6)   It is RECOMMENDED to report faults via at least error log messages.   Other protocols may be used to report such faults.18.6.  Policy   Policy rules can be used by a RPL implementation to determine whether   or not the node is allowed to join a particular DODAG advertised by a   neighbor by means of DIO messages.   This document specifies operation within a single DODAG.  A DODAG is   characterized by the following tuple (RPLInstanceID, DODAGID).   Furthermore, as pointed out above, DIO messages are used to advertise   other DODAG characteristics such as the routing metrics and   constraints used to build to the DODAG and the Objective Function in   use (specified by OCP).   The first policy rules consist of specifying the following conditions   that a RPL node must satisfy to join a DODAG:   o  RPLInstanceID   o  List of supported routing metrics and constraints   o  Objective Function (OCP values)   A RPL implementation MUST allow configuring these parameters and   SHOULD specify whether the node must simply ignore the DIO if the   advertised DODAG is not compliant with the local policy or whether   the node should join as the leaf node if only the list of supportedWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 124]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   routing metrics and constraints, and the OF is not supported.   Additionally, a RPL implementation SHOULD allow for the addition of   the DODAGID as part of the policy.   A RPL implementation SHOULD allow configuring the set of acceptable   or preferred Objective Functions (OFs) referenced by their Objective   Code Points (OCPs) for a node to join a DODAG, and what action should   be taken if none of a node's candidate neighbors advertise one of the   configured allowable Objective Functions, or if the advertised   metrics/constraint is not understood/supported.  Two actions can be   taken in this case:   o  The node joins the DODAG as a leaf node as specified inSection 8.5.   o  The node does not join the DODAG.   A node in an LLN may learn routing information from different routing   protocols including RPL.  In this case, it is desirable to control,   via administrative preference, which route should be favored.  An   implementation SHOULD allow for the specification of an   administrative preference for the routing protocol from which the   route was learned.   Internal Data Structures: some RPL implementations may limit the size   of the candidate neighbor list in order to bound the memory usage; in   which case, some otherwise viable candidate neighbors may not be   considered and simply dropped from the candidate neighbor list.   A RPL implementation MAY provide an indicator on the size of the   candidate neighbor list.18.7.  Fault Isolation   It is RECOMMENDED to quarantine neighbors that start emitting   malformed messages at unacceptable rates.18.8.  Impact on Other Protocols   RPL has very limited impact on other protocols.  Where more than one   routing protocol is required on a router, such as an LBR, it is   expected for the device to support routing redistribution functions   between the routing protocols to allow for reachability between the   two routing domains.  Such redistribution SHOULD be governed by the   use of user configurable policy.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 125]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   With regard to the impact in terms of traffic on the network, RPL has   been designed to limit the control traffic thanks to mechanisms such   as Trickle timers (Section 8.3).  Thus, the impact of RPL on other   protocols should be extremely limited.18.9.  Performance Management   Performance management is always an important aspect of a protocol,   and RPL is not an exception.  Several metrics of interest have been   specified by the IP Performance Monitoring (IPPM) working group: that   being said, they will be hardly applicable to LLN considering the   cost of monitoring these metrics in terms of resources on the devices   and required bandwidth.  Still, RPL implementations MAY support some   of these, and other parameters of interest are listed below:   o  Number of repairs and time to repair in seconds (average,      variance)   o  Number of times and time period during which a devices could not      forward a packet because of a lack of a reachable neighbor in its      routing table   o  Monitoring of resources consumption by RPL in terms of bandwidth      and required memory   o  Number of RPL control messages sent and received18.10.  Diagnostics   There may be situations where a node should be placed in "verbose"   mode to improve diagnostics.  Thus, a RPL implementation SHOULD   provide the ability to place a node in and out of verbose mode in   order to get additional diagnostic information.19.  Security Considerations19.1.  Overview   From a security perspective, RPL networks are no different from any   other network.  They are vulnerable to passive eavesdropping attacks   and, potentially, even active tampering when physical access to a   wire is not required to participate in communications.  The very   nature of ad hoc networks and their cost objectives impose additional   security constraints, which perhaps make these networks the most   difficult environments to secure.  Devices are low-cost and have   limited capabilities in terms of computing power, available storage,   and power drain; it cannot always be assumed they have a trusted   computing base or a high-quality random number generator aboard.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 126]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Communications cannot rely on the online availability of a fixed   infrastructure and might involve short-term relationships between   devices that may never have communicated before.  These constraints   might severely limit the choice of cryptographic algorithms and   protocols and influence the design of the security architecture   because the establishment and maintenance of trust relationships   between devices need to be addressed with care.  In addition, battery   lifetime and cost constraints put severe limits on the security   overhead these networks can tolerate, something that is of far less   concern with higher bandwidth networks.  Most of these security   architectural elements can be implemented at higher layers and may,   therefore, be considered to be out of scope for this specification.   Special care, however, needs to be exercised with respect to   interfaces to these higher layers.   The security mechanisms in this standard are based on symmetric-key   and public-key cryptography and use keys that are to be provided by   higher-layer processes.  The establishment and maintenance of these   keys are out of scope for this specification.  The mechanisms assume   a secure implementation of cryptographic operations and secure and   authentic storage of keying material.   The security mechanisms specified provide particular combinations of   the following security services:   Data confidentiality: Assurance that transmitted information is only         disclosed to parties for which it is intended.   Data authenticity: Assurance of the source of transmitted information         (and, hereby, that information was not modified in transit).   Replay protection: Assurance that a duplicate of transmitted         information is detected.   Timeliness (delay protection):  Assurance that transmitted         information was received in a timely manner.   The actual protection provided can be adapted on a per-packet basis   and allows for varying levels of data authenticity (to minimize   security overhead in transmitted packets where required) and for   optional data confidentiality.  When nontrivial protection is   required, replay protection is always provided.   Replay protection is provided via the use of a non-repeating value   (CCM nonce) in the packet protection process and storage of some   status information (originating device and the CCM nonce counter last   received from that device), which allows detection of whether this   particular CCM nonce value was used previously by the originatingWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 127]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   device.  In addition, so-called delay protection is provided amongst   those devices that have a loosely synchronized clock on board.  The   acceptable time delay can be adapted on a per-packet basis and allows   for varying latencies (to facilitate longer latencies in packets   transmitted over a multi-hop communication path).   Cryptographic protection may use a key shared between two peer   devices (link key) or a key shared among a group of devices (group   key), thus allowing some flexibility and application-specific trade-   offs between key storage and key maintenance costs versus the   cryptographic protection provided.  If a group key is used for peer-   to-peer communication, protection is provided only against outsider   devices and not against potential malicious devices in the key-   sharing group.   Data authenticity may be provided using symmetric-key-based or   public-key-based techniques.  With public-key-based techniques (via   signatures), one corroborates evidence as to the unique originator of   transmitted information, whereas with symmetric-key-based techniques,   data authenticity is only provided relative to devices in a key-   sharing group.  Thus, public-key-based authentication may be useful   in scenarios that require a more fine-grained authentication than can   be provided with symmetric-key-based authentication techniques alone,   such as with group communications (broadcast, multicast) or in   scenarios that require non-repudiation.20.  IANA Considerations20.1.  RPL Control Message   The RPL control message is an ICMP information message type that is   to be used carry DODAG Information Objects, DODAG Information   Solicitations, and Destination Advertisement Objects in support of   RPL operation.   IANA has defined an ICMPv6 Type Number Registry.  The type value for   the RPL control message is 155.20.2.  New Registry for RPL Control Codes   IANA has created a registry, RPL Control Codes, for the Code field of   the ICMPv6 RPL control message.   New codes may be allocated only by an IETF Review.  Each code is   tracked with the following qualities:   o  CodeWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 128]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   o  Description   o  Defining RFC   The following codes are currently defined:   +------+----------------------------------------------+-------------+   | Code | Description                                  | Reference   |   +------+----------------------------------------------+-------------+   | 0x00 | DODAG Information Solicitation               | This        |   |      |                                              | document    |   |      |                                              |             |   | 0x01 | DODAG Information Object                     | This        |   |      |                                              | document    |   |      |                                              |             |   | 0x02 | Destination Advertisement Object             | This        |   |      |                                              | document    |   |      |                                              |             |   | 0x03 | Destination Advertisement Object             | This        |   |      | Acknowledgment                               | document    |   |      |                                              |             |   | 0x80 | Secure DODAG Information Solicitation        | This        |   |      |                                              | document    |   |      |                                              |             |   | 0x81 | Secure DODAG Information Object              | This        |   |      |                                              | document    |   |      |                                              |             |   | 0x82 | Secure Destination Advertisement Object      | This        |   |      |                                              | document    |   |      |                                              |             |   | 0x83 | Secure Destination Advertisement Object      | This        |   |      | Acknowledgment                               | document    |   |      |                                              |             |   | 0x8A | Consistency Check                            | This        |   |      |                                              | document    |   +------+----------------------------------------------+-------------+                             RPL Control Codes20.3.  New Registry for the Mode of Operation (MOP)   IANA has created a registry for the 3-bit Mode of Operation (MOP),   which is contained in the DIO Base.   New values may be allocated only by an IETF Review.  Each value is   tracked with the following qualities:   o  Mode of Operation ValueWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 129]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   o  Capability description   o  Defining RFC   Four values are currently defined:   +----------+------------------------------------------+-------------+   |    MOP   | Description                              | Reference   |   |   value  |                                          |             |   +----------+------------------------------------------+-------------+   |     0    | No Downward routes maintained by RPL     | This        |   |          |                                          | document    |   |          |                                          |             |   |     1    | Non-Storing Mode of Operation            | This        |   |          |                                          | document    |   |          |                                          |             |   |     2    | Storing Mode of Operation with no        | This        |   |          | multicast support                        | document    |   |          |                                          |             |   |     3    | Storing Mode of Operation with multicast | This        |   |          | support                                  | document    |   +----------+------------------------------------------+-------------+                           DIO Mode of Operation   The rest of the range, decimal 4 to 7, is currently unassigned.20.4.  RPL Control Message Options   IANA has created a registry for the RPL Control Message Options.   New values may be allocated only by an IETF Review.  Each value is   tracked with the following qualities:   o  Value   o  Meaning   o  Defining RFCWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 130]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012             +-------+-----------------------+---------------+             | Value | Meaning               | Reference     |             +-------+-----------------------+---------------+             |  0x00 | Pad1                  | This document |             |       |                       |               |             |  0x01 | PadN                  | This document |             |       |                       |               |             |  0x02 | DAG Metric Container  | This Document |             |       |                       |               |             |  0x03 | Routing Information   | This Document |             |       |                       |               |             |  0x04 | DODAG Configuration   | This Document |             |       |                       |               |             |  0x05 | RPL Target            | This Document |             |       |                       |               |             |  0x06 | Transit Information   | This Document |             |       |                       |               |             |  0x07 | Solicited Information | This Document |             |       |                       |               |             |  0x08 | Prefix Information    | This Document |             |       |                       |               |             |  0x09 | Target Descriptor     | This Document |             +-------+-----------------------+---------------+                        RPL Control Message Options20.5.  Objective Code Point (OCP) Registry   IANA has created a registry to manage the codespace of the Objective   Code Point (OCP) field.   No OCPs are defined in this specification.   New codes may be allocated only by an IETF Review.  Each code is   tracked with the following qualities:   o  Code   o  Description   o  Defining RFC20.6.  New Registry for the Security Section Algorithm   IANA has created a registry for the values of the 8-bit Algorithm   field in the Security section.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 131]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   New values may be allocated only by an IETF Review.  Each value is   tracked with the following qualities:   o  Value   o  Encryption/MAC   o  Signature   o  Defining RFC   The following value is currently defined:      +-------+------------------+------------------+---------------+      | Value | Encryption/MAC   | Signature        | Reference     |      +-------+------------------+------------------+---------------+      |   0   | CCM with AES-128 | RSA with SHA-256 | This document |      +-------+------------------+------------------+---------------+                        Security Section Algorithm20.7.  New Registry for the Security Section Flags   IANA has created a registry for the 8-bit Security Section Flags   field.   New bit numbers may be allocated only by an IETF Review.  Each bit is   tracked with the following qualities:   o  Bit number (counting from bit 0 as the most significant bit)   o  Capability description   o  Defining RFC   No bit is currently defined for the Security Section Flags field.20.8.  New Registry for Per-KIM Security Levels   IANA has created one registry for the 3-bit Security Level (LVL)   field per allocated KIM value.   For a given KIM value, new levels may be allocated only by an IETF   Review.  Each level is tracked with the following qualities:   o  Level   o  KIM valueWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 132]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   o  Description   o  Defining RFC   The following levels per KIM value are currently defined:           +-------+-----------+---------------+---------------+           | Level | KIM value | Description   | Reference     |           +-------+-----------+---------------+---------------+           |   0   |     0     | See Figure 11 | This document |           |       |           |               |               |           |   1   |     0     | See Figure 11 | This document |           |       |           |               |               |           |   2   |     0     | See Figure 11 | This document |           |       |           |               |               |           |   3   |     0     | See Figure 11 | This document |           |       |           |               |               |           |   0   |     1     | See Figure 11 | This document |           |       |           |               |               |           |   1   |     1     | See Figure 11 | This document |           |       |           |               |               |           |   2   |     1     | See Figure 11 | This document |           |       |           |               |               |           |   3   |     1     | See Figure 11 | This document |           |       |           |               |               |           |   0   |     2     | See Figure 11 | This document |           |       |           |               |               |           |   1   |     2     | See Figure 11 | This document |           |       |           |               |               |           |   2   |     2     | See Figure 11 | This document |           |       |           |               |               |           |   3   |     2     | See Figure 11 | This document |           |       |           |               |               |           |   0   |     3     | See Figure 11 | This document |           |       |           |               |               |           |   1   |     3     | See Figure 11 | This document |           |       |           |               |               |           |   2   |     3     | See Figure 11 | This document |           |       |           |               |               |           |   3   |     3     | See Figure 11 | This document |           +-------+-----------+---------------+---------------+                          Per-KIM Security Levels20.9.  New Registry for DODAG Informational Solicitation (DIS) Flags   IANA has created a registry for the DIS (DODAG Informational   Solicitation) Flags field.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 133]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   New bit numbers may be allocated only by an IETF Review.  Each bit is   tracked with the following qualities:   o  Bit number (counting from bit 0 as the most significant bit)   o  Capability description   o  Defining RFC   No bit is currently defined for the DIS (DODAG Informational   Solicitation) Flags field.20.10.  New Registry for the DODAG Information Object (DIO) Flags   IANA has created a registry for the 8-bit DODAG Information Object   (DIO) Flags field.   New bit numbers may be allocated only by an IETF Review.  Each bit is   tracked with the following qualities:   o  Bit number (counting from bit 0 as the most significant bit)   o  Capability description   o  Defining RFC   No bit is currently defined for the DIS (DODAG Informational   Solicitation) Flags.20.11.  New Registry for the Destination Advertisement Object (DAO)        Flags   IANA has created a registry for the 8-bit Destination Advertisement   Object (DAO) Flags field.   New bit numbers may be allocated only by an IETF Review.  Each bit is   tracked with the following qualities:   o  Bit number (counting from bit 0 as the most significant bit)   o  Capability description   o  Defining RFCWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 134]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   The following bits are currently defined:       +------------+------------------------------+---------------+       | Bit number | Description                  | Reference     |       +------------+------------------------------+---------------+       |      0     | DAO-ACK request (K)          | This document |       |            |                              |               |       |      1     | DODAGID field is present (D) | This document |       +------------+------------------------------+---------------+                              DAO Base Flags20.12.  New Registry for the Destination Advertisement Object (DAO)        Acknowledgement Flags   IANA has created a registry for the 8-bit Destination Advertisement   Object (DAO) Acknowledgement Flags field.   New bit numbers may be allocated only by an IETF Review.  Each bit is   tracked with the following qualities:   o  Bit number (counting from bit 0 as the most significant bit)   o  Capability description   o  Defining RFC   The following bit is currently defined:       +------------+------------------------------+---------------+       | Bit number | Description                  | Reference     |       +------------+------------------------------+---------------+       |      0     | DODAGID field is present (D) | This document |       +------------+------------------------------+---------------+                            DAO-ACK Base Flags20.13.  New Registry for the Consistency Check (CC) Flags   IANA has created a registry for the 8-bit Consistency Check (CC)   Flags field.   New bit numbers may be allocated only by an IETF Review.  Each bit is   tracked with the following qualities:   o  Bit number (counting from bit 0 as the most significant bit)   o  Capability descriptionWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 135]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   o  Defining RFC   The following bit is currently defined:             +------------+-----------------+---------------+             | Bit number | Description     | Reference     |             +------------+-----------------+---------------+             |      0     | CC Response (R) | This document |             +------------+-----------------+---------------+                       Consistency Check Base Flags20.14.  New Registry for the DODAG Configuration Option Flags   IANA has created a registry for the 8-bit DODAG Configuration Option   Flags field.   New bit numbers may be allocated only by an IETF Review.  Each bit is   tracked with the following qualities:   o  Bit number (counting from bit 0 as the most significant bit)   o  Capability description   o  Defining RFC   The following bits are currently defined:        +------------+----------------------------+---------------+        | Bit number | Description                | Reference     |        +------------+----------------------------+---------------+        |      4     | Authentication Enabled (A) | This document |        |     5-7    | Path Control Size (PCS)    | This document |        +------------+----------------------------+---------------+                     DODAG Configuration Option Flags20.15.  New Registry for the RPL Target Option Flags   IANA has created a registry for the 8-bit RPL Target Option Flags   field.   New bit numbers may be allocated only by an IETF Review.  Each bit is   tracked with the following qualities:   o  Bit number (counting from bit 0 as the most significant bit)   o  Capability descriptionWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 136]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   o  Defining RFC   No bit is currently defined for the RPL Target Option Flags.20.16.  New Registry for the Transit Information Option Flags   IANA has created a registry for the 8-bit Transit Information Option   (TIO) Flags field.   New bit numbers may be allocated only by an IETF Review.  Each bit is   tracked with the following qualities:   o  Bit number (counting from bit 0 as the most significant bit)   o  Capability description   o  Defining RFC   The following bits are currently defined:               +------------+--------------+---------------+               | Bit number | Description  | Reference     |               +------------+--------------+---------------+               |      0     | External (E) | This document |               +------------+--------------+---------------+                     Transit Information Option Flags20.17.  New Registry for the Solicited Information Option Flags   IANA has created a registry for the 8-bit Solicited Information   Option (SIO) Flags field.   New bit numbers may be allocated only by an IETF Review.  Each bit is   tracked with the following qualities:   o  Bit number (counting from bit 0 as the most significant bit)   o  Capability description   o  Defining RFCWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 137]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   The following bits are currently defined:      +------------+--------------------------------+---------------+      | Bit number | Description                    | Reference     |      +------------+--------------------------------+---------------+      |      0     | Version Predicate match (V)    | This document |      |            |                                |               |      |      1     | InstanceID Predicate match (I) | This document |      |            |                                |               |      |      2     | DODAGID Predicate match (D)    | This document |      +------------+--------------------------------+---------------+                    Solicited Information Option Flags20.18.  ICMPv6: Error in Source Routing Header   In some cases RPL will return an ICMPv6 error message when a message   cannot be delivered as specified by its source routing header.  This   ICMPv6 error message is "Error in Source Routing Header".   IANA has defined an ICMPv6 "Code" Fields Registry for ICMPv6 Message   Types.  ICMPv6 Message Type 1 describes "Destination Unreachable"   codes.  The "Error in Source Routing Header" code is has been   allocated from the ICMPv6 Code Fields Registry for ICMPv6 Message   Type 1, with a code value of 7.20.19.  Link-Local Scope Multicast Address   The rules for assigning new IPv6 multicast addresses are defined in   [RFC3307].  This specification requires the allocation of a new   permanent multicast address with a link-local scope for RPL nodes   called all-RPL-nodes, with a value of ff02::1a.21.  Acknowledgements   The authors would like to acknowledge the review, feedback, and   comments from Emmanuel Baccelli, Dominique Barthel, Yusuf Bashir,   Yoav Ben-Yehezkel, Phoebus Chen, Quynh Dang, Mischa Dohler, Mathilde   Durvy, Joakim Eriksson, Omprakash Gnawali, Manhar Goindi, Mukul   Goyal, Ulrich Herberg, Anders Jagd, JeongGil (John) Ko, Ajay Kumar,   Quentin Lampin, Jerry Martocci, Matteo Paris, Alexandru Petrescu,   Joseph Reddy, Michael Richardson, Don Sturek, Joydeep Tripathi, and   Nicolas Tsiftes.   The authors would like to acknowledge the guidance and input provided   by the ROLL Chairs, David Culler and JP. Vasseur, and the Area   Director, Adrian Farrel.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 138]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   The authors would like to acknowledge prior contributions of Robert   Assimiti, Mischa Dohler, Julien Abeille, Ryuji Wakikawa, Teco Boot,   Patrick Wetterwald, Bryan Mclaughlin, Carlos J. Bernardos, Thomas   Watteyne, Zach Shelby, Caroline Bontoux, Marco Molteni, Billy Moon,   Jim Bound, Yanick Pouffary, Henning Rogge, and Arsalan Tavakoli, who   have provided useful design considerations to RPL.   RPL Security Design, found inSection 10,Section 19, and elsewhere   throughout the document, is primarily the contribution of the   Security Design Team: Tzeta Tsao, Roger Alexander, Dave Ward, Philip   Levis, Kris Pister, Rene Struik, and Adrian Farrel.   Thanks also to Jari Arkko and Ralph Droms for their attentive   reviews, especially with respect to interoperability considerations   and integration with other IETF specifications.22.  Contributors   Stephen Dawson-Haggerty   UC Berkeley   Soda Hall   Berkeley, CA  94720   USA   EMail: stevedh@cs.berkeley.edu23.  References23.1.  Normative References   [RFC2119]     Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate                 Requirement Levels",BCP 14,RFC 2119, March 1997.   [RFC2460]     Deering, S. and R. Hinden, "Internet Protocol, Version                 6 (IPv6) Specification",RFC 2460, December 1998.   [RFC3447]     Jonsson, J. and B. Kaliski, "Public-Key Cryptography                 Standards (PKCS) #1: RSA Cryptography Specifications                 Version 2.1",RFC 3447, February 2003.   [RFC4191]     Draves, R. and D. Thaler, "Default Router Preferences                 and More-Specific Routes",RFC 4191, November 2005.   [RFC4302]     Kent, S., "IP Authentication Header",RFC 4302,                 December 2005.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 139]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   [RFC4443]     Conta, A., Deering, S., and M. Gupta, "Internet Control                 Message Protocol (ICMPv6) for the Internet Protocol                 Version 6 (IPv6) Specification",RFC 4443, March 2006.   [RFC4861]     Narten, T., Nordmark, E., Simpson, W., and H. Soliman,                 "Neighbor Discovery for IP version 6 (IPv6)",RFC 4861,                 September 2007.   [RFC4862]     Thomson, S., Narten, T., and T. Jinmei, "IPv6 Stateless                 Address Autoconfiguration",RFC 4862, September 2007.   [RFC6206]     Levis, P., Clausen, T., Hui, J., Gnawali, O., and J.                 Ko, "The Trickle Algorithm",RFC 6206, March 2011.   [RFC6275]     Perkins, C., Johnson, D., and J. Arkko, "Mobility                 Support in IPv6",RFC 6275, July 2011.   [RFC6551]     Vasseur, JP., Ed., Kim, M., Ed., Pister, K., Dejean,                 N., and D. Barthel, "Routing Metrics Used for Path                 Calculation in Low-Power and Lossy Networks",RFC 6551,                 March 2012.   [RFC6552]     Thubert, P., Ed., "Objective Function Zero for the                 Routing Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy Networks                 (RPL)",RFC 6552, March 2012.   [RFC6553]     Hui, J. and JP. Vasseur, "The Routing Protocol for Low-                 Power and Lossy Networks (RPL) Option for Carrying RPL                 Information in Data-Plane Datagrams",RFC 6553,                 March 2012.   [RFC6554]     Hui, J., Vasseur, JP., Culler, D., and V. Manral, "An                 IPv6 Routing Header for Source Routes with the Routing                 Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy Networks (RPL)",RFC 6554, March 2012.23.2.  Informative References   [6LOWPAN-ND]  Shelby, Z., Ed., Chakrabarti, S., and E. Nordmark,                 "Neighbor Discovery Optimization for Low Power and                 Lossy Networks (6LoWPAN)", Work in Progress,                 October 2011.   [FIPS180]     National Institute of Standards and Technology, "FIPS                 Pub 180-3, Secure Hash Standard (SHS)", US Department                 of Commerce , February 2008,                 <http://www.nist.gov/itl/upload/fips180-3_final.pdf>.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 140]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   [Perlman83]   Perlman, R., "Fault-Tolerant Broadcast of Routing                 Information", North-Holland Computer Networks,                 Vol.7: p. 395-405, December 1983.   [RFC1958]     Carpenter, B., "Architectural Principles of the                 Internet",RFC 1958, June 1996.   [RFC1982]     Elz, R. and R. Bush, "Serial Number Arithmetic",RFC 1982, August 1996.   [RFC2578]     McCloghrie, K., Ed., Perkins, D., Ed., and J.                 Schoenwaelder, Ed., "Structure of Management                 Information Version 2 (SMIv2)", STD 58,RFC 2578,                 April 1999.   [RFC3307]     Haberman, B., "Allocation Guidelines for IPv6 Multicast                 Addresses",RFC 3307, August 2002.   [RFC3410]     Case, J., Mundy, R., Partain, D., and B. Stewart,                 "Introduction and Applicability Statements for                 Internet-Standard Management Framework",RFC 3410,                 December 2002.   [RFC3535]     Schoenwaelder, J., "Overview of the 2002 IAB Network                 Management Workshop",RFC 3535, May 2003.   [RFC3610]     Whiting, D., Housley, R., and N. Ferguson, "Counter                 with CBC-MAC (CCM)",RFC 3610, September 2003.   [RFC3819]     Karn, P., Bormann, C., Fairhurst, G., Grossman, D.,                 Ludwig, R., Mahdavi, J., Montenegro, G., Touch, J., and                 L. Wood, "Advice for Internet Subnetwork Designers",BCP 89,RFC 3819, July 2004.   [RFC4101]     Rescorla, E. and IAB, "Writing Protocol Models",RFC 4101, June 2005.   [RFC4915]     Psenak, P., Mirtorabi, S., Roy, A., Nguyen, L., and P.                 Pillay-Esnault, "Multi-Topology (MT) Routing in OSPF",RFC 4915, June 2007.   [RFC5120]     Przygienda, T., Shen, N., and N. Sheth, "M-ISIS: Multi                 Topology (MT) Routing in Intermediate System to                 Intermediate Systems (IS-ISs)",RFC 5120,                 February 2008.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 141]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   [RFC5184]     Teraoka, F., Gogo, K., Mitsuya, K., Shibui, R., and K.                 Mitani, "Unified Layer 2 (L2) Abstractions for Layer 3                 (L3)-Driven Fast Handover",RFC 5184, May 2008.   [RFC5548]     Dohler, M., Watteyne, T., Winter, T., and D. Barthel,                 "Routing Requirements for Urban Low-Power and Lossy                 Networks",RFC 5548, May 2009.   [RFC5673]     Pister, K., Thubert, P., Dwars, S., and T. Phinney,                 "Industrial Routing Requirements in Low-Power and Lossy                 Networks",RFC 5673, October 2009.   [RFC5706]     Harrington, D., "Guidelines for Considering Operations                 and Management of New Protocols and Protocol                 Extensions",RFC 5706, November 2009.   [RFC5826]     Brandt, A., Buron, J., and G. Porcu, "Home Automation                 Routing Requirements in Low-Power and Lossy Networks",RFC 5826, April 2010.   [RFC5867]     Martocci, J., De Mil, P., Riou, N., and W. Vermeylen,                 "Building Automation Routing Requirements in Low-Power                 and Lossy Networks",RFC 5867, June 2010.   [RFC5881]     Katz, D. and D. Ward, "Bidirectional Forwarding                 Detection (BFD) for IPv4 and IPv6 (Single Hop)",RFC 5881, June 2010.   [RFC6130]     Clausen, T., Dearlove, C., and J. Dean, "Mobile Ad Hoc                 Network (MANET) Neighborhood Discovery Protocol                 (NHDP)",RFC 6130, April 2011.   [ROLL-TERMS]  Vasseur, J., "Terminology in Low power And Lossy                 Networks", Work in Progress, September 2011.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 142]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012Appendix A.  Example Operation   This appendix provides some examples to illustrate the dissemination   of addressing information and prefixes with RPL.  The examples depict   information being distributed with PIOs and RIOs and the use of DIO   and DAO messages.  Note that this appendix is not normative, and that   the specific details of a RPL addressing plan and autoconfiguration   may vary according to specific implementations.  RPL merely provides   a vehicle for disseminating information that may be built upon and   used by other mechanisms.   Note that these examples illustrate use of address autoconfiguration   schemes supported by information distributed within RPL.  However, if   an implementation includes another address autoconfiguration scheme,   RPL nodes might be configured not to set the 'A' flag in PIO options,   though the PIO can still be used to distribute prefix and addressing   information.A.1.  Example Operation in Storing Mode with Node-Owned Prefixes   Figure 32 illustrates the logical addressing architecture of a simple   RPL network operating in Storing mode.  In this example, each Node,   A, B, C, and D, owns its own prefix and makes that prefix available   for address autoconfiguration by on-link devices.  (This is conveyed   by setting the 'A' flag and the 'L' flag in the PIO of the DIO   messages).  Node A owns the prefix A::/64, Node B owns B::/64, and so   on.  Node B autoconfigures an on-link address with respect to Node A,   A::B.  Nodes C and D similarly autoconfigure on-link addresses from   Node B's prefix, B::C and B::D, respectively.  Nodes have the option   of setting the 'R' flag and publishing their address within the   Prefix field of the PIO.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 143]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012                              +-------------+                              |    Root     |                              |             |                              |   Node A    |                              |             |                              |    A::A     |                              +------+------+                                     |                                     |                                     |                              +------+------+                              |    A::B     |                              |             |                              |   Node B    |                              |             |                              |    B::B     |                              +------+------+                                     |                                     |                      .--------------+--------------.                     /                               \                    /                                 \            +------+------+                     +------+------+            |    B::C     |                     |    B::D     |            |             |                     |             |            |   Node C    |                     |   Node D    |            |             |                     |             |            |    C::C     |                     |    D::D     |            +-------------+                     +-------------+             Figure 32: Storing Mode with Node-Owned PrefixesA.1.1.  DIO Messages and PIO   Node A, for example, will send DIO messages with a PIO as follows:   'A' flag:       Set   'L' flag:       Set   'R' flag:       Clear   Prefix Length:  64   Prefix:         A::   Node B, for example, will send DIO messages with a PIO as follows:   'A' flag:       Set   'L' flag:       Set   'R' flag:       Set   Prefix Length:  64   Prefix:         B::BWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 144]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Node C, for example, will send DIO messages with a PIO as follows:   'A' flag:       Set   'L' flag:       Set   'R' flag:       Clear   Prefix Length:  64   Prefix:         C::   Node D, for example, will send DIO messages with a PIO as follows:   'A' flag:       Set   'L' flag:       Set   'R' flag:       Set   Prefix Length:  64   Prefix:         D::DA.1.2.  DAO Messages   Node B will send DAO messages to Node A with the following   information:       o  Target B::/64       o  Target C::/64       o  Target D::/64   Node C will send DAO messages to Node B with the following   information:       o  Target C::/64   Node D will send DAO messages to Node B with the following   information:       o  Target D::/64A.1.3.  Routing Information Base   Node A will conceptually collect the following information into its   Routing Information Base (RIB):       o  A::/64 connected       o  B::/64 via B's link local       o  C::/64 via B's link local       o  D::/64 via B's link local   Node B will conceptually collect the following information into its   RIB:       o  ::/0 via A's link local       o  B::/64 connected       o  C::/64 via C's link local       o  D::/64 via D's link localWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 145]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Node C will conceptually collect the following information into its   RIB:       o  ::/0 via B's link local       o  C::/64 connected   Node D will conceptually collect the following information into its   RIB:       o  ::/0 via B's link local       o  D::/64 connectedA.2.  Example Operation in Storing Mode with Subnet-Wide Prefix   Figure 33 illustrates the logical addressing architecture of a simple   RPL network operating in Storing mode.  In this example, the root   Node A sources a prefix that is used for address autoconfiguration   over the entire RPL subnet.  (This is conveyed by setting the 'A'   flag and clearing the 'L' flag in the PIO of the DIO messages.)   Nodes A, B, C, and D all autoconfigure to the prefix A::/64.  Nodes   have the option of setting the 'R' flag and publishing their address   within the Prefix field of the PIO.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 146]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012                              +-------------+                              |    Root     |                              |             |                              |   Node A    |                              |    A::A     |                              |             |                              +------+------+                                     |                                     |                                     |                              +------+------+                              |             |                              |   Node B    |                              |    A::B     |                              |             |                              +------+------+                                     |                                     |                      .--------------+--------------.                     /                               \                    /                                 \            +------+------+                     +------+------+            |             |                     |             |            |   Node C    |                     |   Node D    |            |    A::C     |                     |    A::D     |            |             |                     |             |            +-------------+                     +-------------+              Figure 33: Storing Mode with Subnet-Wide PrefixA.2.1.  DIO Messages and PIO   Node A, for example, will send DIO messages with a PIO as follows:   'A' flag:       Set   'L' flag:       Clear   'R' flag:       Clear   Prefix Length:  64   Prefix:         A::   Node B, for example, will send DIO messages with a PIO as follows:   'A' flag:       Set   'L' flag:       Clear   'R' flag:       Set   Prefix Length:  64   Prefix:         A::BWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 147]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Node C, for example, will send DIO messages with a PIO as follows:   'A' flag:       Set   'L' flag:       Clear   'R' flag:       Clear   Prefix Length:  64   Prefix:         A::   Node D, for example, will send DIO messages with a PIO as follows:   'A' flag:       Set   'L' flag:       Clear   'R' flag:       Set   Prefix Length:  64   Prefix:         A::DA.2.2.  DAO Messages   Node B will send DAO messages to Node A with the following   information:       o  Target A::B/128       o  Target A::C/128       o  Target A::D/128   Node C will send DAO messages to Node B with the following   information:       o  Target A::C/128   Node D will send DAO messages to Node B with the following   information:       o  Target A::D/128A.2.3.  Routing Information Base   Node A will conceptually collect the following information into its   RIB:       o  A::A/128 connected       o  A::B/128 via B's link local       o  A::C/128 via B's link local       o  A::D/128 via B's link local   Node B will conceptually collect the following information into its   RIB:       o  ::/0 via A's link local       o  A::B/128 connected       o  A::C/128 via C's link local       o  A::D/128 via D's link localWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 148]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Node C will conceptually collect the following information into its   RIB:       o  ::/0 via B's link local       o  A::C/128 connected   Node D will conceptually collect the following information into its   RIB:       o  ::/0 via B's link local       o  A::D/128 connectedA.3.  Example Operation in Non-Storing Mode with Node-Owned Prefixes   Figure 34 illustrates the logical addressing architecture of a simple   RPL network operating in Non-Storing mode.  In this example, each   Node, A, B, C, and D, owns its own prefix, and makes that prefix   available for address autoconfiguration by on-link devices.  (This is   conveyed by setting the 'A' flag and the 'L' flag in the PIO of the   DIO messages.)  Node A owns the prefix A::/64, Node B owns B::/64,   and so on.  Node B autoconfigures an on-link address with respect to   Node A, A::B.  Nodes C and D similarly autoconfigure on-link   addresses from Node B's prefix, B::C and B::D, respectively.  Nodes   have the option of setting the 'R' flag and publishing their address   within the Prefix field of the PIO.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 149]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012                              +-------------+                              |    Root     |                              |             |                              |   Node A    |                              |             |                              |    A::A     |                              +------+------+                                     |                                     |                                     |                              +------+------+                              |    A::B     |                              |             |                              |   Node B    |                              |             |                              |    B::B     |                              +------+------+                                     |                                     |                      .--------------+--------------.                     /                               \                    /                                 \            +------+------+                     +------+------+            |    B::C     |                     |    B::D     |            |             |                     |             |            |   Node C    |                     |   Node D    |            |             |                     |             |            |    C::C     |                     |    D::D     |            +-------------+                     +-------------+           Figure 34: Non-Storing Mode with Node-Owned PrefixesA.3.1.  DIO Messages and PIO   The PIO contained in the DIO messages in the Non-Storing mode with   node-owned prefixes can be considered to be identical to those in the   Storing mode with node-owned prefixes case (Appendix A.1.1).A.3.2.  DAO Messages   Node B will send DAO messages to Node A with the following   information:       o  Target B::/64, Transit A::B   Node C will send DAO messages to Node A with the following   information:       o  Target C::/64, Transit B::CWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 150]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Node D will send DAO messages to Node A with the following   information:       o  Target D::/64, Transit B::DA.3.3.  Routing Information Base   Node A will conceptually collect the following information into its   RIB.  Note that Node A has enough information to construct source   routes by doing recursive lookups into the RIB:       o  A::/64 connected       o  B::/64 via A::B       o  C::/64 via B::C       o  D::/64 via B::D   Node B will conceptually collect the following information into its   RIB:       o  ::/0 via A's link local       o  B::/64 connected   Node C will conceptually collect the following information into its   RIB:       o  ::/0 via B's link local       o  C::/64 connected   Node D will conceptually collect the following information into its   RIB:       o  ::/0 via B's link local       o  D::/64 connectedA.4.  Example Operation in Non-Storing Mode with Subnet-Wide Prefix   Figure 35 illustrates the logical addressing architecture of a simple   RPL network operating in Non-Storing mode.  In this example, the root   Node A sources a prefix that is used for address autoconfiguration   over the entire RPL subnet.  (This is conveyed by setting the 'A'   flag and clearing the 'L' flag in the PIO of the DIO messages.)   Nodes A, B, C, and D all autoconfigure to the prefix A::/64.  Nodes   must set the 'R' flag and publish their address within the Prefix   field of the PIO, in order to inform their children which address to   use in the transit option.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 151]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012                              +-------------+                              |    Root     |                              |             |                              |   Node A    |                              |    A::A     |                              |             |                              +------+------+                                     |                                     |                                     |                              +------+------+                              |             |                              |   Node B    |                              |    A::B     |                              |             |                              +------+------+                                     |                                     |                      .--------------+--------------.                     /                               \                    /                                 \            +------+------+                     +------+------+            |             |                     |             |            |   Node C    |                     |   Node D    |            |    A::C     |                     |    A::D     |            |             |                     |             |            +-------------+                     +-------------+            Figure 35: Non-Storing Mode with Subnet-Wide PrefixA.4.1.  DIO Messages and PIO   Node A, for example, will send DIO messages with a PIO as follows:   'A' flag:       Set   'L' flag:       Clear   'R' flag:       Set   Prefix Length:  64   Prefix:         A::A   Node B, for example, will send DIO messages with a PIO as follows:   'A' flag:       Set   'L' flag:       Clear   'R' flag:       Set   Prefix Length:  64   Prefix:         A::BWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 152]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Node C, for example, will send DIO messages with a PIO as follows:   'A' flag:       Set   'L' flag:       Clear   'R' flag:       Set   Prefix Length:  64   Prefix:         A::C   Node D, for example, will send DIO messages with a PIO as follows:   'A' flag:       Set   'L' flag:       Clear   'R' flag:       Set   Prefix Length:  64   Prefix:         A::DA.4.2.  DAO Messages   Node B will send DAO messages to Node A with the following   information:       o  Target A::B/128, Transit A::A   Node C will send DAO messages to Node A with the following   information:       o  Target A::C/128, Transit A::B   Node D will send DAO messages to Node A with the following   information:       o  Target A::D/128, Transit A::BA.4.3.  Routing Information Base   Node A will conceptually collect the following information into its   RIB.  Note that Node A has enough information to construct source   routes by doing recursive lookups into the RIB:       o  A::A/128 connected       o  A::B/128 via A::A       o  A::C/128 via A::B       o  A::D/128 via A::B   Node B will conceptually collect the following information into its   RIB:       o  ::/0 via A's link local       o  A::B/128 connected   Node C will conceptually collect the following information into its   RIB:       o  ::/0 via B's link local       o  A::C/128 connectedWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 153]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Node D will conceptually collect the following information into its   RIB:       o  ::/0 via B's link local       o  A::D/128 connectedA.5.  Example with External Prefixes   Consider the simple network illustrated in Figure 36.  In this   example, there are a group of routers participating in a RPL network:   a DODAG root, Nodes A, Y, and Z.  The DODAG root and Node Z also have   connectivity to different external network domains (i.e., external to   the RPL network).  Note that those external networks could be RPL   networks or another type of network altogether.                          RPL Network        +-------------------+                           RPL::/64          |                   |                                             |     External      |              [RPL::Root]    (Root)----------+      Prefix       |                               |             |    EXT_1::/64     |                               |             |                   |                               |             +-------------------+                 [RPL::A]     (A)                               :                               :                               :                 [RPL::Y]     (Y)                               |             +-------------------+                               |             |                   |                               |             |     External      |                 [RPL::Z]     (Z)------------+      Prefix       |                               :             |    EXT_2::/64     |                               :             |                   |                               :             +-------------------+                     Figure 36: Simple Network Example   In this example, the DODAG root makes a prefix available to the RPL   subnet for address autoconfiguration.  Here, the entire RPL subnet   uses that same prefix, RPL::/64, for address autoconfiguration,   though in other implementations more complex/hybrid schemes could be   employed.   The DODAG root has connectivity to an external (with respect to that   RPL network) prefix EXT_1::/64.  The DODAG root may have learned of   connectivity to this prefix, for example, via explicit configuration   or IPv6 ND on a non-RPL interface.  The DODAG root is configured to   announce information on the connectivity to this prefix.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 154]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Similarly, Node Z has connectivity to an external prefix EXT_2::/64.   Node Z also has a sub-DODAG underneath of it.   1.  The DODAG root adds a RIO to its DIO messages.  The RIO contains       the external prefix EXT_1::/64.  This information may be repeated       in the DIO messages emitted by the other nodes within the DODAG.       Thus, the reachability to the prefix EXT_1::/64 is disseminated       down the DODAG.   2.  Node Z may advertise reachability to the Target network       EXT_2::/64 by sending DAO messages using EXT_2::/64 as a Target       in the Target option and itself (Node Z) as a parent in the       Transit Information option.  (In Storing mode, that Transit       Information option does not need to contain the address of Node       Z).  A non-storing root then becomes aware of the 1-hop link       (Node Z -- EXT_2::/64) for use in constructing source routes.       Node Z may additionally advertise its reachability to EXT_2::/64       to nodes in its sub-DODAG by sending DIO messages with a PIO,       with the 'A' flag cleared.Winter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 155]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012Authors' Addresses   Tim Winter (editor)   EMail: wintert@acm.org   Pascal Thubert (editor)   Cisco Systems   Village d'Entreprises Green Side   400, Avenue de Roumanille   Batiment T3   Biot - Sophia Antipolis  06410   France   Phone: +33 497 23 26 34   EMail: pthubert@cisco.com   Anders Brandt   Sigma Designs   Emdrupvej 26A, 1.   Copenhagen  DK-2100   Denmark   EMail: abr@sdesigns.dk   Jonathan W. Hui   Arch Rock Corporation   501 2nd St., Suite 410   San Francisco, CA  94107   USA   EMail: jhui@archrock.com   Richard Kelsey   Ember Corporation   Boston, MA   USA   Phone: +1 617 951 1225   EMail: kelsey@ember.comWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 156]

RFC 6550                           RPL                        March 2012   Philip Levis   Stanford University   358 Gates Hall, Stanford University   Stanford, CA  94305-9030   USA   EMail: pal@cs.stanford.edu   Kris Pister   Dust Networks   30695 Huntwood Ave.   Hayward, CA  94544   USA   EMail: kpister@dustnetworks.com   Rene Struik   Struik Security Consultancy   EMail: rstruik.ext@gmail.com   JP. Vasseur   Cisco Systems   11, Rue Camille Desmoulins   Issy Les Moulineaux  92782   France   EMail: jpv@cisco.com   Roger K. Alexander   Cooper Power Systems   20201 Century Blvd., Suite 250   Germantown, MD  20874   USA   Phone: +1 240 454 9817   EMail: roger.alexander@cooperindustries.comWinter, et al.               Standards Track                  [Page 157]

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