[MLB-WIRELESS] DNS and Locfinder

[Fenn Bailey]

> TL> We're a technical bunch, surely at least ONE person in a 
> local cluster will
> TL> run an internal DNS server.  Anyone who connects to me 
> gets the ability to
> TL> query my DNS servers. :-)
> 
> Doesn't take away from those getting DNS server addresses from DHCP
> requests on cable/DSL connections... and that is where the stumbling
> block is...
> 

An interesting point - I don't really see why it shouldn't be modelled
the way DNS works in the "real world":
 - A set of root DNS servers are established that are authorative for
melbwireless
 - Ideally, they should be placed at stragic points within the network
 - They are both externally and internally accessable (eg: internet and
intranet)
 - They will resolve internal names externally - this is not uncommon
practice, many ISPs use internal address space for routes/tunnels and
have them resolve by their own DNSs. I was trying to find the example I
know (connect.com.au used to do it), but they've either changed it, or I
can no longer find it.
 - Ideally, the root servers should be connected for transfers both via
the wireless network and internet (that way, there's redundancy)
 - Caching nameservers should be placed ideally at all routing nodes, so
people can use them if they so choose to.

With the above, average Joe using cable with DHCP/etc will still be able
to resolve the *.wireless name space and their external stuff, while
people who have no internet access will also be able to resolve,
assuming they can reach a working DNS server.

Local routes would take care of the actual traffic, DNS would work for
everyone - all are happy :)

In addition to this, nodes could be setup intelligently to intercept and
NAT DNS traffic to a local cached DNS (or alternate working one) if
people are attempting to contact a DNS server that isn't currectly
reachable. I believe you can also do this sort of thing with RIP (though
I have no experience with it).

</2c>

:)

	Fenn.


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