Realistic, Extensible DNS and mDNS Models for INET/OMNeT++

The domain name system (DNS) is one of the core services in today's network structures. In local and ad-hoc networks DNS is often enhanced or replaced by mDNS. As of yet, no simulation models for DNS and mDNS have been developed for INET/OMNeT++. We introduce DNS and mDNS simulation models for OMNeT++, which allow researchers to easily prototype and evaluate extensions for these protocols. In addition, we present models for our own experimental extensions, namely Stateless DNS and Privacy-Enhanced mDNS, that are based on the aforementioned models. Using our models we were able to further improve the efficiency of our protocol extensions.Comment: Published in: A. F\"orster, C. Minkenberg, G. R. Herrera, M. Kirsche (Eds.), Proc. of the 2nd OMNeT++ Community Summit, IBM Research - Zurich, Switzerland, September 3-4, 201

Investigating the Agility Bias in DNS Graph Mining

The concept of agile domain name system (DNS) refers to dynamic and rapidly changing mappings between domain names and their Internet protocol (IP) addresses. This empirical paper evaluates the bias from this kind of agility for DNS-based graph theoretical data mining applications. By building on two conventional metrics for observing malicious DNS agility, the agility bias is observed by comparing bipartite DNS graphs to different subgraphs from which vertices and edges are removed according to two criteria. According to an empirical experiment with two longitudinal DNS datasets, irrespective of the criterion, the agility bias is observed to be severe particularly regarding the effect of outlying domains hosted and delivered via content delivery networks and cloud computing services. With these observations, the paper contributes to the research domains of cyber security and DNS mining. In a larger context of applied graph mining, the paper further elaborates the practical concerns related to the learning of large and dynamic bipartite graphs.Comment: Proceedings of the 17th IEEE International Conference on Computer and Information Technology (CIT 2017), pp. 253--260, Helsinki, IEE

Short gamma-ray bursts from binary neutron star mergers in globular clusters

The first locations of short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) in elliptical galaxies suggest they are produced by the mergers of double neutron star (DNS) binaries in old stellar populations. Globular clusters, where the extreme densities of very old stars in cluster cores create and exchange compact binaries efficiently, are a natural environment to produce merging NSs. They also allow some short GRBs to be offset from their host galaxies, as opposed to DNS systems formed from massive binary stars which appear to remain in galactic disks. Starting with a simple scaling from the first DNS observed in a galactic globular, which will produce a short GRB in ~300My, we present numerical simulations which show that ~10-30% of short GRBs may be produced in globular clusters vs. the much more numerous DNS mergers and short GRBs predicted for galactic disks. Reconciling the rates suggests the disk short GRBs are more beamed, perhaps by both the increased merger angular momentum from the DNS spin-orbit alignment (random for the DNS systems in globulars) and a larger magnetic field on the secondary NS.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in Nature Physics (Feb. 2006

ICANN—Now and Then: ICANN’s Reform and Its Problems

This paper sheds some light upon the major problem arising from the current normative infrastructure of the DNS and provides a possible solution to the current physical problem of the DNS. The paper\u27s main focus is the single-entity control of the A Root. The paper uses as a starting point the Blueprint prepared by the Committee on ICANN Evolution and Reform and raises the question: Has this reform done anything to resolve the single-entity control of the A Root? The paper argues that the reform has done nothing to solve the problem because the international privatization of the DNS merely substitutes the administration of the DNS function without making changes to the normative infrastructure of the DNS. In light of the above, the paper argues that there is a need to declare independence from a one-entity controlled DNS. The suggested approach is to share authority over the root by acknowledging that countries that are accountable to their populations are the authorities for their own ccTLDs. Once technical and political independence has been achieved, the technical and, to some degree, political management of the DNS should be exercised through an international body. In order to initiate a discussion for a truly international body this paper offers nine principles that a new international ccTLD cooperation organization should observe when working on its own creation