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Naming
Naming
Naming
Introduction to Naming
Access Points: they are specific entities that are identified using
addresses.
Naming Names, identifiers, and addresses
Identifiers
Identifiers : identifiers are specific types of names used in distributed
systems to uniquely reference entities.
Pure/Flat name
A name that has no meaning at all; it is just a random string. Pure names
can be used for comparison only. (e.g. ‘4b3f6b9a-8e4c-467d-bf8b-
509c1f71ad3f’)
Broadcasting
Broadcast the ID, requesting the entity to return its current address
Simple solutions
Naming Flat naming
Self-certifying names
Use a value derived from the associated entity and make it (part of) the
flat name:
E.g.
• old name = ‘4b3f6b9a-8e4c-467d-bf8b-509c1f71ad3f’
• id(entity) = hash(data associated with the entity such as public key)
• New Name = ‘4b3f6b9a-8e4c-467d-bf8b-509c1f71ad3f’+ id(entity)
Name resolution
Problem
To resolve a name, we need a root/directory node. How do we actually
find that (initial) node?
Name resolution
Naming Attribute-based naming
Hierarchical Scheme
Defining Hierarchical Scheme:
A method where a network is segmented into multiple domains.
Basic idea
Build a large-scale search tree for which the underlying network is
divided into hierarchical domains. Each domain is represented by a
separate directory node.
Directory services
Naming Attribute-based naming
Structured Naming
Flat vs Structured Names
Flat Names: Ideal for machines; not user-friendly.
Structured Names: Composed of readable, hierarchical components.
Example: Internet host naming follows structured naming (e.g.
www.google.com).
Breakdown: com (top-level domain) > google (domain name) > www
(subdomain).
Structured Naming:
Used in various system components like file systems and Internet hosts.
Essential for locating resources in a distributed systems.
Takeaways:
Flat names are efficient for computers but challenging for human use.
Structured names provide context and are easier for humans to
understand and remember.
Directory services
Naming Attribute-based naming
Directory services
Naming Attribute-based naming
Attribute-based naming
Concept:
Attribute-based naming uses attribute-value pairs for entity identification,
enhancing search efficiency beyond traditional flat and structured names.
Mechanism:
Entities are described by characteristics (attributes).
Example:
In an office network, finding a printer with specified attributes:
[Color: Yes, Speed: >30ppm] returns printers meeting these criteria.
Directory services
Naming Attribute-based naming
Attribute-based naming
Solution for scalable searching
Implement basic attribute-based naming as database, and combine with
traditional structured naming system.
Named-data networking
Basics
• Retrieve an entity from the network by using that entity’s name and
not address.
• NDN prioritizes 'what' data is requested over 'where' it is located.
• The network takes that name as input and routes a request to a
location where the entity is stored (Eliminates the need for resolving a
name to an address!).
• NDN is envisioned to replace IP in future Internet architectures.
Example name
/distributed-systems.net/books/DistributedSystems/4/01/Naming
NDN
Naming Named-data networking
Naming Systems:
Flat Naming: Resolves an identifier to an entity's address.
Structured Naming: Organizes names in a hierarchical or logical
manner.
Attribute-Based Naming: Describes entities using attribute-value pairs.
Summary