1. Introduction

Information-Centric Networking (ICN) is an approach to evolving the Internet infrastructure to provide direct access to Named Data Objects (NDOs) by names. In two common ICN architectures, Named Data Networking (NDN) [NDN] and Content-Centric Networking (CCNx) [CCNx], the name of an NDO is used directly to route a request to retrieve the data object. Such direct name-based routing has inherent challenges in enabling a globally scalable routing system, accommodating producer mobility, and supporting off-path caching. These specific issues are discussed in detail in Section 3. In order to address these challenges, a Name Resolution Service (NRS) has been utilized in the literature as well as the proposals of several ICN projects [Afanasyev] [Zhang2] [Ravindran] [SAIL] [MF] [Bayhan].

This document describes the potential changes in the ICN architecture caused by the introduction of an NRS and the corresponding implication to the ICN routing system. It also describes ICN architectural considerations for the integration of an NRS. The scope of this document includes considerations from the perspective of an ICN architecture and routing system when using an NRS in ICN. A description of the NRS itself is provided in the companion NRS design considerations document [RFC9138], which provides the NRS approaches, functions, and design considerations.

This document represents the consensus of the Information-Centric Networking Research Group (ICNRG). It has been reviewed extensively by the Research Group (RG) members who are actively involved in the research and development of the technology covered by this document. It is not an IETF product and is not a standard.