The '''Recursive InterNetwork Architecture (RINA)''' is a new computer [[network architecture]] proposed as an alternative to the currently mainstream [[Internet protocol suite|TCP/IP]] model. TheWhile new, RINA's is based on the original investigation in the early 1970s into the fundamental principles areof networking. This was done by searching out the fundamental invariances in the structure of the problem and by avoiding special cases in preference to degenerate cases. Then as now is the recognition that [[computer network]]ingnetworking is just [[Inter-Process Communication]] or IPC, and only IPC. There aren’t 5 or 7 layers of different functionality but one layer of the same functions that layeringrepeats. shouldThe benumber doneof layers depends on the range of resources in the network. Each layer is configured to different ranges of allocation based on scope/scale, with a single recurring set of protocols. Applying this principle of separating the invariant from the variant, rathere.g. thanseparating functionmechanism and policy, led to the realization that there is only one data transfer protocol and one application protocol with specializeddifferent protocolspolicies. The protocolfunctionality instancesof inan oneIPC-Process, layera interfaceterm withfor thea protocolmember instancesof ona higherlayer, andnaturally lowercleaves layersinto via3 newloci conceptsof processing with decreasing duty cycle and entitiesincreasing thatcomputational effectivelycomplexity: [[ReificationData Transfer (computerSequencing, Fragmentation/Reassembly, scienceDelimiting)|reify]]networkingdecoupled functionsthrough currentlya specificState toVector protocolsfrom likeData [[BGP]],Transfer [[OSPF]]Control (Retransmission and [[AddressFlow Control) decoupled from Layer Management (routing) through the Resource Information Base (RIB) effectively a Resolutionstate Protocol|ARP]]vector. In this way, the RINA proposes to support features like mobility, [[multihoming|multi-homing]] and [[Quality of Service]] without the need for extra specialized protocols like [[Real-time Transport Protocol|RTP]] and [[User Datagram Protocol|UDP]], as well as allow simplified network administration without the need for concepts like [[Autonomous system (Internet)|autonomous systems]] and [[NetworkNAT. addressMobility translation|NAT]]in RINA is especially interesting since it does not require home agents, foreign agents, tunnels, anchors or any new protocols and hence is basically free.
==Background==
The principles behind RINA were first presented by [[John Day (computer scientist)|John Day]] in his book ''Patterns in Network Architecture: A return to Fundamentals''.<ref name="PNA">''Patterns in Network Architecture: A Return to Fundamentals'', John Day (2008), Prentice Hall, {{ISBN|978-0132252423}}</ref> This work is a start afresh, taking into account lessons learned in the 35 years of [[TCP/IP]]’s existence, as well as the lessons of [[OSI model|OSI]]’s failure and the lessons of other network technologies of the past few decades, such as [[CYCLADES]], [[DECnet]], and [[Xerox Network Systems]].
