Introduction
Named Data Networking (NDN) is a proposed Internet architecture designed to connect various computing devices, ranging from IoT sensors to cloud servers, by naming data bits. NDN operates on the principle of communication being driven by data consumers, referred to as receivers, through the exchange of two types of packets: Interest and Data [1] [3].
Security and Efficiency
One notable feature of NDN is that the data is signed by data producers and verified by consumers, with the data name providing essential context for security. This allows for direct and secure retrieval of objects by name, ensuring reliability and efficiency [4] [5].
Global Reach and Influence
NDN has gained global recognition and influence in the field of networking, as demonstrated by the inclusion of NDN nodes in both Asia and Europe. This widespread adoption showcases the broad reach of NDN in the networking community [2].
Core Concepts of NDN
NDN stands out from other network architectures due to its key concepts. NDN's protocol and packet formatting focus solely on data, including only elements that are universally required and significant in all communications. This emphasis on data is one of the three core concepts of NDN, wherein applications directly name and utilize data names [1] [3].
Smart Forwarding and Key Distribution
Another fundamental concept in NDN is the smart forwarding feature, which helps mitigate attacks such as caching poisoning. If an end node receives a bad Data packet, it can alert its upstream, thus ensuring data integrity. Additionally, key distribution in NDN involves communicating keys as NDN data [4] [5].
Resources for Understanding NDN
For those interested in delving deeper into NDN, there are various resources available. The NDN research testbed serves as a shared resource created specifically for research purposes, with nodes located in Asia and Europe [2]. Additionally, tutorials and videos provide a comprehensive understanding of NDN, including NDN overviews, discussions, and evaluations using ndnSIM and Mini-NDN [2] [4] [5].
Benefits of NDN in Network Communication
NDN brings several advantages to network communication. One key benefit is that an NDN Data packet remains meaningful independent of its origin or destination. This allows routers to cache the packet and satisfy future requests, contributing to hop-by-hop flow balance. NDN also offers advantages in content distribution, application-friendly communication, robust security, mobility support, built-in multicast, in-network caching, multipath, and stateful data delivery [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6].
Best Practices for Implementing NDN
Implementing NDN requires adhering to best practices. Using the latest version of the ndnSIM simulator is recommended, as suggested by the ndnSIM team. The NDN architecture is based on insights from basic network design principles and lessons learned from the operational Internet. Efficient data forwarding strategies within the intended scope and managing the name space are critical aspects to consider during NDN implementation. Implementing NDN using Software Defined Networks (SDN) is one approach that helps identify the best location for caching content. NDN's hop-by-hop forwarding allows network operators to monitor network conditions and choose the most suitable link accordingly [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].