The NIC Name Server - A Datagram Based Information Utility

In this paper a new method for distributing and updating host name/address information in large computer networks is described. The technique uses datagrams to provide a simple transaction-based query/response service. A provisional service is being provided by the Arpanet Network Information Center (NIC) and is used by mobile packet radio terminals, as well as by several Arpanet DEC-10 hosts. Extensions to the service are suggested that would expand the query functionality to allow more flexible query formats as well as queries for service addresses. Several architectural approaches with potential for expansion into a distributed internet environment are proposed. This technique may be utilized in support of other distributed applications such as user identification and group distribution for computer based mail.