NDNTP: A Named Data Networking Time Protocol

TL;DR

This paper introduces NDNTP, a new time synchronization protocol designed for Named Data Networking, addressing unique challenges posed by NDN features like multicast and in-network caching, especially for multi-producer applications.

Contribution

It proposes the design considerations and directions for implementing a time protocol over NDN, focusing on NTP and the NTP pool project.

Findings

Identifies challenges of implementing NTP over NDN.

Proposes design directions for NDN-based time synchronization.

Highlights the need for specialized protocols in NDN environments.

Abstract

Named Data Networking (NDN) architectural features, including multicast data delivery, stateful forwarding, and in-network data caching, have shown promise for applications such as video streaming and file sharing. However, collaborative applications, requiring a multi-producer participation introduce new NDN design challenges. In this paper, we highlight these challenges in the context of the Network Time Protocol (NTP) and one of its most widely-used deployments for NTP server discovery, the NTP pool project. We discuss the design requirements for the support of NTP and NTP pool and present general directions for the design of a time synchronization protocol over NDN, coined Named Data Networking Time Protocol (NDNTP).