The MobilityFirst protocol is part of a larger research initiative funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Future Internet Architecture (FIA) program. It aims to redesign the internet with a focus on the anticipated predominance of mobile users and devices. This protocol and its architecture were developed with an understanding that the future internet’s primary users would be mobile devices with vastly different networking needs than stationary computers.

Here are the key features and principles of the MobilityFirst protocol:

  1. Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) System: MobilityFirst introduces GUIDs to distinctly identify network entities, whether they’re devices, content, or services. This decouples identity from location, allowing for fluid mobility without the constraints of IP addresses.
  2. Name-Based Routing: This approach to routing is versatile and can inherently support services like multicast, device-to-device communication, anycast, and service discovery.
  3. Late Binding: In this system, the final routing decisions for packets are delayed as much as possible, allowing the network to make optimal decisions, especially in rapidly changing mobile scenarios.
  4. Storage-Aware Routing: MobilityFirst can intelligently decide to store packets in situations where the destination isn’t immediately reachable. This approach is beneficial for handling intermittent connectivity, common in mobile scenarios.
  5. Context-Aware Networking: This allows the network to understand user context (like location, device capability, available bandwidth) and make decisions that enhance the user experience.
  6. Built-in Security: From the ground up, MobilityFirst integrates authentication into its architecture, providing robust network security.
  7. Developer-Friendly APIs: With a set of APIs, developers can leverage the unique features of MobilityFirst to create applications suited for a mobile-centric internet.

In essence, the MobilityFirst protocol represents a fresh, mobility-centric approach to networking. Recognizing that the static, IP-centric model of the internet is ill-suited for a world dominated by mobile devices, MobilityFirst aims to provide a more adaptive, resilient, and user-friendly platform for the next generation of internet users.