Network Engineering :
“The lack of support for emerging networking paradigms is a problem that cannot be tackled
easily by employing existing techniques”Search and study one Next-generation Internet Architecture and then critically discuss how this
architecture addresses the shortcomings in the Internet architecture presented on p.268 of the
prescribed textbook. Ensure that the discussion follows the following format:
A. Introduction
The introduction should have the following;The introduction adequately introduces the concepts. The need to discuss the
concepts is highlighted and briefly outlines what is going to be discussed. (At
least one paragraph)
Introduction:
Next-generation Internet Architectures aim to address the limitations and shortcomings of the existing Internet architecture. One such architecture is the Named Data Networking (NDN) architecture, which is a proposed future Internet architecture that focuses on content rather than the location of the content. In this discussion, we will critically analyze how NDN addresses the shortcomings presented in the Internet architecture described on page 268 of the prescribed textbook.
B. Shortcomings in the Internet architecture described:
The Internet architecture described in the textbook suffers from several limitations. One such limitation is the emphasis on the IP addressing scheme, which is based on location. This location-centric model leads to several problems, including the need for complex and hierarchical addressing schemes, network address translation (NAT) issues, and mobility challenges. Additionally, the Internet architecture is primarily designed for point-to-point communication, which does not efficiently handle the increasing demand for content distribution and sharing. These limitations highlight the need for a new approach to addressing these shortcomings.
C. Next-generation Internet Architecture: Named Data Networking (NDN)
NDN is a content-centric architecture that focuses on the named content rather than the location of the content. In NDN, data packets are named with their content identifiers, allowing consumers to express interest in specific content and receive the data directly from any provider that has it. This content-centric design addresses the limitations of the Internet architecture in several ways.
Firstly, NDN eliminates the need for complex IP addressing schemes. Instead of relying on location-based IP addresses, NDN uses a hierarchical naming scheme, where each component in the name represents a different level of abstraction. This hierarchical naming allows for flexible and scalable routing, eliminating the need for NAT and simplifying mobility management.
Secondly, NDN provides built-in support for content caching and distribution. Since data packets in NDN are named, routers can cache the content they receive, allowing for efficient content sharing within the network. This caching mechanism reduces the load on the content providers and improves the overall network performance, particularly in scenarios with high content demand.
Thirdly, NDN supports multicast communication natively. Traditional IP-based multicast requires forwarding trees to be built, which can be complex and difficult to scale. In NDN, routers can leverage the content-based names to forward content to multiple requesters without the need for complex multicast protocols. This simplifies content distribution and makes it more efficient in scenarios where multiple users are interested in the same content.
Furthermore, NDN provides inherent security features through content-based names. Each data packet is named using a cryptographic hash of the content, ensuring data authenticity and integrity. This built-in security mechanism addresses the limitations of the Internet architecture, where security is mostly based on location (IP addresses) and is susceptible to attacks such as IP spoofing.
D. Conclusion:
The NDN architecture effectively addresses the shortcomings of the Internet architecture described in the textbook. By focusing on content rather than location, NDN eliminates the limitations associated with complex IP addressing schemes, NAT traversal, mobility management, and multicast communication. Additionally, NDN's built-in support for content caching and distribution improves network performance and scalability. Overall, NDN provides a promising next-generation Internet architecture that can overcome the limitations of the existing Internet architecture.