I-D Action: draft-li-recursive-peer-model-00.txt

Internet-Draft draft-li-recursive-peer-model-00.txt is now available.

   Title:   A Recursive Peer Model for Network Protocols
   Author:  Shi Li
   Name:    draft-li-recursive-peer-model-00.txt
   Pages:   21
   Dates:   2026-08-09

Abstract:

   The seven-layer OSI model has served as a foundational framework for
   network protocol design and education for four decades.  However,
   modern networking practices—including VPNs, NAT, tunneling protocols,
   and overlay networks—have revealed structural flaws in the OSI model
   that require ad hoc exceptions to explain.

   This document presents a Recursive Peer Model (RPM) as an alternative
   architectural framework.  The model is based on a single observation:
   every intermediate protocol layer contains its own four-layer
   structure—Bearer Layer, Data Link Layer, Network Layer, and Transport
   Layer—and this structure recurs at every layer of the protocol stack.
   The Data Layer and Medium Layer serve as the two recursive
   boundaries, terminating at "pure data" and "physical medium"
   respectively.

   The Recursive Peer Model eliminates the need for "exception" clauses
   (such as the "tunnel exception" for VPNs), provides coherent
   explanations for protocols that OSI cannot categorize cleanly (such
   as ARP and ICMP), and offers a unified framework for describing both
   existing and future protocols.

The IETF datatracker status page for this Internet-Draft is:
https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/draft-li-recursive-peer-model/

There is also an HTMLized version available at:
https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-li-recursive-peer-model-00

Internet-Drafts are also available by rsync at:
rsync.ietf.org::internet-drafts


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