IPv6 autoconfiguration in large scale mobile ad-hoc networks

Mobile ad-hoc networks are infrastructure-free, highly dynamic wireless networks, where central administration or configuration by the user is impractical. The Internet Protocol IPv6 defines mechanisms to autoconfigure interfaces of nodes in wired networks in a distributed manner. In this paper, the applicability of IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration and IPv6 Neighbor Discovery Protocol to large scale mobile ad-hoc networks is investigated. A hierarchical approach based on so-called leader nodes is proposed together with a leader election algorithm. Address autoconfiguration with IPv6 in very dynamic ad-hoc networks requires special support as, for example, outlined within this paper. Extensions to the IPv6 Neighbor Discovery Protocol are proposed to enable an efficient and scalable usage in ad-hoc networks.