17 votes

Ouroboros - packet networking rebuilt from the ground up

3 comments

  1. [3]
    zenen
    Link
    This is a project I've been keeping an eye on for a while now, and I really can't understate how much hope I have for it to take off. To properly explain what's going on here, I need to mention...

    This is a project I've been keeping an eye on for a while now, and I really can't understate how much hope I have for it to take off.

    To properly explain what's going on here, I need to mention RINA first. The Recursive InterNetwork Architecture is a proposed alternative to the IP suite, taking into account some 35 years of lessons learned. This architecture has been implemented in academic contexts, and has usually requiring someone to install a custom linux kernel to make use of them - until now.

    The Ouroboros project implements John Day's RINA model from within userspace, allowing it to be run from within the OS you're already using. The short summary is that it reconstructs all network communications as Inter-Process Communications, whether it occurs on the same computer or across the globe.

    The entire project is being slowly and steadily assembled mostly by one individual who could really use an extra hand with the implementation. I have my hands completely full with other projects right now, but if you're interested in network programming and you aren't afraid of programming in C then I encourage you to reach out on the Matrix channel.

    What are your thoughts? Have you ever wanted more from the 7-layer OSI model? Do you think that a better system could actually take hold, or has the internet amassed too much tech debt to change course at this point? Would you be willing to adopt a technology like this if it actually managed to cover all the basics for network communication? I'm interested in hearing what Tildes has to say.

    10 votes
    1. [2]
      vord
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Before diving in, I'm having PTSD flashbacks about having to deal with IPX and other old pre-TCP/UDP-IP networking protocols. IPv6 is fine, there's better targets for improvement. /snark Now to...

      Before diving in, I'm having PTSD flashbacks about having to deal with IPX and other old pre-TCP/UDP-IP networking protocols.

      IPv6 is fine, there's better targets for improvement. /snark

      Now to actually read up on it.

      4 votes
      1. zenen
        Link Parent
        I'm pretty sure that Dmitri is more traumatized by networking protocols than anyone - it certainly takes a unique individual to try taking on a project of this magnitude. Would be interesting to...

        I'm pretty sure that Dmitri is more traumatized by networking protocols than anyone - it certainly takes a unique individual to try taking on a project of this magnitude. Would be interesting to hear from someone who knows what it was like before OSI was firmly established, though.

        2 votes