Ouroboros Model

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This pages provides an overview of the Ouroboros model, which summarizes the division and organization of the functionality needed for scalable packet networking.

Functional layering

Main page: Ouroboros Functional Layering

The model's functional layering underpinning Ouroboros has some distinct properties.

Properties of the unicast model

1. A clear distinction between unicast and broadcast, reflecting our multicast conjecture.
2. Core functionalities are split in 3 fully independent protocol layers, from top to bottom:
   1. The application end-to-end layer performs functionalities that require knowledge at the endpoint applications, but are not of concern to the network. These are automated repeat-request (ARQ), fragmentation and flow control. In addition, this layer also performs encryption, authentication and packet integrity (CRC). The data protocol associated with this layer is called the Flow and Retransmission control protocol (FRCP). It is considered an application protocol rather than a network protocol.
   2. The network end-to-end layer performs flow allocation, name-to-address resolution, and congestion avoidance.
   3. The network forwarding layer performs routing and hop-by-hop forwarding functions.
3. Multi-Layer networks are distributed applications that implement the network end-to-end layer and network forwarding layer functionalities. Since they are also applications, they inherit the application end-to-end capabilities.
4. At the bottom of this network model, is the transmission layer. It is always accompanied by a (devolved) network end-to-end layer.