Realistic, Extensible DNS and mDNS Models for INET/OMNeT++

TL;DR

This paper introduces realistic, extensible simulation models for DNS and mDNS in INET/OMNeT++, enabling researchers to prototype and evaluate protocol extensions including privacy enhancements.

Contribution

The paper provides the first simulation models for DNS and mDNS in INET/OMNeT++, including experimental extensions like Stateless DNS and Privacy-Enhanced mDNS.

Findings

Models enable protocol extension evaluation

Improved efficiency of protocol extensions

Facilitates research in DNS/mDNS protocols

Abstract

The domain name system (DNS) is one of the core services in today's network structures. In local and ad-hoc networks DNS is often enhanced or replaced by mDNS. As of yet, no simulation models for DNS and mDNS have been developed for INET/OMNeT++. We introduce DNS and mDNS simulation models for OMNeT++, which allow researchers to easily prototype and evaluate extensions for these protocols. In addition, we present models for our own experimental extensions, namely Stateless DNS and Privacy-Enhanced mDNS, that are based on the aforementioned models. Using our models we were able to further improve the efficiency of our protocol extensions.