In order to use DTN on a network, it needs to be added to a layer common across all network types that the data will flow though. With store and forward this would typically require the use of a specific application protocol or low level network, which as previously discussed prevents flexibility. Previous attempts at implementing Delay Tolerant Networking technologies on IP, such as the Bundle Protocol, operate by adding another networking layer above the current IP framework and using it as if it was a link layer8. This encapsulating layer includes the packet data and routing information but cannot be processed by devices that do not support the protocol. In addition this requires duplication of data already contained in the packet as it must be included in the encapsulated version as well as the packet headers. To allow for seamless integration with existing systems both end devices and routers without DTN
support need to be able to handle DTN packets in a predictable manner. DTN nodes will also need to be capable of handling non DTN enabled traffic. For these reasons DTN can not be implemented as an encapsulating layer or as a new lower layer protocol.