IP3DAGpolkuja

IP3DAGpolkuja is a theoretical framework used in discussions of network modeling and graph-based routing. The name combines IP (Internet Protocol), 3D (three-dimensional), DAG (directed acyclic graph), and polkuja, the Finnish word for paths. It is not an established standard but a concept in academic discussions that explores how path planning could be represented in a multi-dimensional DAG structure to derive IP-level routing decisions.

In this model, nodes represent network entities such as routers or subnets, while directed edges denote admissible forwarding possibilities. The three dimensions encode different constraints or views: a physical/topological dimension, a logical/control-plane dimension, and a policy or temporal dimension that captures routing rules and time-varying conditions. The directed acyclic graph property is imposed to prevent cycles in path computation, aiding verification and optimization.

Paths are derived through topological ordering and multi-criteria path search within the 3D DAG. The framework supports enumeration of alternative IP-level paths for redundancy and selection based on criteria such as latency, bandwidth, and policy compliance. Stitching subpaths across dimensions allows combining routes that meet multiple constraints while maintaining acyclicity.

Applications of IP3DAGpolkuja are primarily theoretical, serving studies of multi-path routing, traffic engineering, and network verification in data centers and large-scale networks. It helps clarify interactions between layers but has not produced a widely adopted protocol or implementation. Variants differ in how the three dimensions are defined and constrained, and the term remains mainly within educational and exploratory literature rather than operational use.