Internet Naming and Directory Extension (Mini-INDEX) Project

To develop a series of improvements to the Domain Name System (DNS) implementation and the DNS protocol to make the operation of the DNS more efficient (e.g. fewer wasted messages in the network) and more capable (e.g. incremental and dynamic updates).

• Examination of DNS protocols, system operation, and publically available software to identify shortcomings and potential solutions. Problem solutions are implemented, tested in a local environment, and deployed in the official release of the DNS Bind distribution. In addition, common operational problems are documented along with suggested solutions, and software releases from other DNS implementors are independently tested.

• Test and update DNS query tool, 'dig', to be current with most recent Bind distribution. Revisions to include a method to easily configure 'dig' to accommodate future additions to resource record types.

• Evaluate schemes for accommodating configurable resource record types in the DNS server. This effort (1) will leverage off of the configurable resource record support to be incorporated in 'dig', and (2) will include documentation of the current Bind database implementation. The latter will facilitate any proposed changes that will significantly impact Bind data representation.

• Test and update DNS configuration tool, 'doc', to be current with "best current practices" and most recent Bind distribution. Revisions to include more explicit diagnostics, help messages, and examples. This is increasingly important with the proliferation of the Internet and DNS domains.

• Implement and distribute Zone Transfer improvements including: (1) previous MINDEX study of techniques to reduced zone transfer overhead, and (2) secured/authenticated transfer of zone data.

• Address the problems of very large zones. This includes (1) design, evaluation, and development of a proposed scheme to add additional hierarchy by exploit inherent domain name structure (i.e. alphabetic indexing), and (2) publication of an informational RFC discussing the more complex problem (and potential solutions) of collisions in a large flat namespace.