IPluokka

IPluokka is a fictional classification framework designed to categorize Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and related network attributes. It is used in educational materials and speculative discussions to illustrate how address classes or policies could be organized in modern networks.

The framework defines a taxonomy for IP addresses, combining attributes such as address range (IPv4 or IPv6), region or provider, intended use, namespace, and service level. It supports both IPv4 and IPv6 and is designed to be extensible for future address formats and deployment models.

The architecture includes a class registry that defines formal labels, a classifier engine that tags addresses with class labels, a policy engine that maps those labels to routing, filtering, or QoS rules, and a management API for integration with network devices and simulators. The design emphasizes compatibility with existing routing protocols and SDN controllers.

Adoption and usage: IPluokka is primarily used in academic settings, lab environments, and demonstration scenarios to explore how policy and routing decisions could be abstracted around IP address classes. Implementations are typically simulated or constructed for teaching purposes, rather than deployed in production networks.

History and status: The concept emerged in a series of classroom materials and research demonstrations in the early 2020s. It remains a hypothetical framework, referenced as a thought experiment to discuss classification, policy, and governance of IP address space rather than a formal industry standard.