Information-centric networking based homenet

Abstract

Information-centric networking (ICN) aims to achieve efficient, secure, and reliable dissemination of information in contrast to host-centric IP architecture. This paper presents a case for ICN based home network (homenet). Current IETF proposal for homenets is based on IPv6 which inherits fundamental problems of IP such as security, mobility, and multicasting, which are integral features of an ICN design. We highlight how these ICN virtues help in the context of homenet considering the need for a homogenous platform to handle the diversity of devices, services, and user needs. We also provide a comparison of IETF's homenet proposal and an ICN based approach in terms of service, control, and data plane features and complexity. We exemplify our discussion through a proof of concept design of an ICN based homenet and highlight its usefulness through a comparative analysis of realizing fundamental homenet features in an ICN versus IP based framework.