Source Specific Multicast (SSM) for MIPv6: A Survey of Current State of Standardisation and Research

IPv6, designed with the success and prior experience of IPv4, will potentially reach into larger spheres of communication devices and networks. Employing the Internet infrastructure and protocols, communications will not only be limited between traditional computer devices. The expanded addressing schema, integrated security, efficient routing and auto-configuration capability of IPv6 augurs well for mobility and wireless access on the Internet. Multicast is particularly important and has distinct advantages in mobile environments where operating frequency bands are shared between users and bandwidth is constrained. Repeat transmissions or per-request based multimedia applications are inefficient and quickly deplete available bandwidth with increasing number of users. However, the efficient use of multicast requires architectural improvements. For example, the existing Any Source Multicast (ASM) specification is burdened with various protocol complexities and subsequent deployment complications. The structurally simpler Source Specific Multicasting (SSM) model has great potential for widespread use. It is inherently easier for multicast sources configuration, has global scope and no prior network provider arrangements required. The proposed IPv6 SSM architecture is new and in the process of standardisation. This paper presents the current state of standardisation and research progress for MIPv6 SSM architecture, protocols, related components.