Serverless Autoconfiguration (“Plug-n-Play”)

• hosts can construct their own addresses:

  • subnet prefix(es) learned from periodic multicast advertisements from neighboring router(s)
  • interface IDs generated locally, e.g., using MAC addresses

• other IP-layer parameters also learned from router adverts (e.g., router addresses, recommended hop limit, etc.)

• higher-layer info (e.g., DNS server and NTP server addresses) discovered by multicast / anycast-based service-location protocol [details still to be decided]

• DHCP also available for those who want more control

Notes: