Name-to-address translation algorithms for zeroconf networks

With the proliferation of network attached appliances and inexpensive computing devices there is an increasing demand for inter-networking among these devices in the home, in small offices or even on an ad-hoc basis. While administration may be necessary in today's large complex IP networks, it is unacceptable for emerging networks such as home networks, i.e., networking of consumer electronic devices such as TV, VCR, phone, fax, printer, PC, etc., small office home office (SOHO) networks, automobile networks, airplane networks, ad-hoc networks at conferences, emergency relief stations, and many others. These networks require zero manual administration and configuration. This demand recently initiated a new paradigm of IT networking called zero-configuration (zeroconf) networking. Zeroconf networks are a class of IP networks that do not require any manual configuration or administration. In this paper we examine name-to-address translation in zeroconf networks. We suggest requirements for name-to-address translation algorithms, review the existing solutions, extend these solutions, and show that the proposed solutions satisfy the suggested requirements.