[Tinyos-host-mote-wg] Discussion

[Philip Levis]

Based on the discussion today, I think we concluded that there are two 
problems we need to solve:

1) Detection of supported data formats from the UART: 15.4 packet vs. 
mica2 packet, etc. The general consensus here was to have a layer of 
dispatch at the UART level. That also allows simple out-of-AM-band 
protocols like ping, without binding them into an implementation.

2) High performance data transfer. This is where all of the 
connection-oriented/windowing/acknowledgement discussion came from. The 
general consensus here was that it would be desirable to see if we can 
push PPP in this direction, and also that the final protocol should 
place as few requirements as possible: if you don't want to keep track 
of windowing, etc., you should just be able to state that the window is 
one packet.

On the notion of connection-based versus connectionless protocols. The 
distinction lies in how much state you can assume the other side 
maintains. In a connectionless protocol, you need to include additional 
state in every packet, state which in a connection-oriented protocol 
would be maintained as part of the connection.

Phil

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"We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time."

- T. S. Eliot,  'Little Gidding'