Towards a global implementation of Named Data Networking

Abstract

The host-to-host IP model currently supporting the Internet does not suffice in supporting current-day content distribution in the form of content-sharing via peer-to-peer applications, real-time media streaming and social networks. Since the design of IP, the usage of the Internet has changed from a messaging and few-to-few information sharing system to a fewto-many content distribution system where many users request large amounts of overlapping information. Running a content distribution network over a host-to-host network appears to be very inefficient since every piece of content needs to travel the complete distribution-chain from generator to consumer every time it is requested. The result is that identical pieces of information will often redundantly travel the same links and routers. Information Centric Networking tries to solve this problem by proposing route-by-name instead of route-by-address mechanisms. This enables networks to be optimized for contentdistribution instead of connections and allows routers to cache often requested pieces of content in memory. In this thesis we will attempt to solve problems that arise at the introduction of a new globally routeable network, enabling clients and networks to be a full member (both consumer and generator) on a global Information Centric Network. The topics discussed vary from dynamic end-user configuration and generating globally unique names in order to share information on the Information Centric Network, via mapping techniques to decrease routing complexity, to proposing a transition mechanism that dynamically creates IP encapsulating tunnels between disconnected Information Centric Networks. In short, we discuss a multitude of problems which need to be addressed in order to assist the global implementation of an Information Centric Network.