[ax25-layer2] SIG Purpose Clarification

[pete at ae5pl.net]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: scott at opentrac.org
> Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 11:11 AM
> To: 'Discussion of Link Layer use of AX.25'
> Subject: RE: [ax25-layer2] SIG Purpose Clarification
> 
> But APRS is going to enter into this discussion because it 
> depends on digipeating for its routing capabilities, such as 
> they are.  Take that away or restrict it and APRS is going to 
> need to take on more layer 3 duties.

As pointed out earlier, by Glenn and myself, digipeating is not layer 3
networking.  True, people in the APRS world have tried over the years to
make it do networking using AX.25 but as also has been seen, this has
basically failed.  APRS is a broadcast protocol.  As such, there is no
routing involved.  It was founded upon AX.25 but is not restricted to it
(APRS-IS for example does not use AX.25, rather it uses TCP/IP for good
or bad ;-).  All attempts (including APRS) to use digipeaters as network
routers are not using AX.25 as a layer 2 protocol.  Therefore,
discussion of those attempts are outside the scope of this SIG.

> If we're not going to talk about layer 3 here, then where?

Good question.  With DCC looming in the near future, maybe a gentlemanly
discussion over some adult beverages might be in order to look at that
keeping in mind that the world has already standardized on using a layer
3 protocol called IP.  Of course, like anything else, there is lots of
room for discussion.  However, layer 3 is and should be independent of
AX.25 (except maybe for PID use) so that is best left to another SIG or
place.

73,

Pete Loveall AE5PL