DNS-SD
DNS-SD (DNS-Based Service Discovery)
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DNS-SD RFCs (9)
RFC 10029: DNS Multiple QTYPEs
Proposed Standard- R. Bellis
- July 2026
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
This document specifies a method for a DNS client to request additional DNS record types to be delivered alongside the primary record type specified in the Question section of a DNS QUERY (OpCode=0).
Abstract
This document specifies a method for a DNS client to request additional DNS record types to be delivered alongside the primary record type specified in the Question section of a DNS QUERY (OpCode=0).
RFC 9664: An EDNS(0) Option to Negotiate Leases on DNS Updates
Proposed Standard- S. Cheshire
- T. Lemon
- June 2025
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
This document describes an EDNS(0) option that can be used between DNS Update Requesters and authoritative DNS servers to include a lifetime (lease duration) in a DNS Update or DNS Update Response, allowing a server to garbage collect stale Resource Records that have been added by DNS Updates if they are not renewed.
Abstract
This document describes an EDNS(0) option that can be used between DNS Update Requesters and authoritative DNS servers to include a lifetime (lease duration) in a DNS Update or DNS Update Response, allowing a server to garbage collect stale Resource Records that have been added by DNS Updates if they are not renewed.
RFC 9665: Service Registration Protocol for DNS-Based Service Discovery
Proposed Standard- T. Lemon
- S. Cheshire
- June 2025
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
The Service Registration Protocol (SRP) for DNS-based Service Discovery (DNS-SD) uses the standard DNS Update mechanism to enable DNS-SD using only unicast packets. This makes it possible to deploy DNS-SD without multicast, which greatly improves scalability and improves performance on networks where multicast service is not an optimal choice, particularly IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) and IEEE 802.15.4 networks. DNS-SD Service registration uses public keys and SIG(0) to allow services to defend their registrations.
Abstract
The Service Registration Protocol (SRP) for DNS-based Service Discovery (DNS-SD) uses the standard DNS Update mechanism to enable DNS-SD using only unicast packets. This makes it possible to deploy DNS-SD without multicast, which greatly improves scalability and improves performance on networks where multicast service is not an optimal choice, particularly IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) and IEEE 802.15.4 networks. DNS-SD Service registration uses public keys and SIG(0) to allow services to defend their registrations.
RFC 8882: DNS-Based Service Discovery (DNS-SD) Privacy and Security Requirements
Informational- C. Huitema
- D. Kaiser
- September 2020
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
DNS-SD (DNS-based Service Discovery) normally discloses information about devices offering and requesting services. This information includes hostnames, network parameters, and possibly a further description of the corresponding service instance. Especially when mobile devices engage in DNS-based Service Discovery at a public hotspot, serious privacy problems arise. We analyze the requirements of a privacy-respecting discovery service.
Abstract
DNS-SD (DNS-based Service Discovery) normally discloses information about devices offering and requesting services. This information includes hostnames, network parameters, and possibly a further description of the corresponding service instance. Especially when mobile devices engage in DNS-based Service Discovery at a public hotspot, serious privacy problems arise. We analyze the requirements of a privacy-respecting discovery service.
RFC 8765: DNS Push Notifications
Proposed Standard- T. Pusateri
- S. Cheshire
- June 2020
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
The Domain Name System (DNS) was designed to return matching records efficiently for queries for data that are relatively static. When those records change frequently, DNS is still efficient at returning the updated results when polled, as long as the polling rate is not too high. But, there exists no mechanism for a client to be asynchronously notified when these changes occur. This document defines a mechanism for a client to be notified of such changes to DNS records, called DNS Push Notifications.
Abstract
The Domain Name System (DNS) was designed to return matching records efficiently for queries for data that are relatively static. When those records change frequently, DNS is still efficient at returning the updated results when polled, as long as the polling rate is not too high. But, there exists no mechanism for a client to be asynchronously notified when these changes occur. This document defines a mechanism for a client to be notified of such changes to DNS records, called DNS Push Notifications.
RFC 8766: Discovery Proxy for Multicast DNS-Based Service Discovery
Proposed Standard- S. Cheshire
- June 2020
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
This document specifies a network proxy that uses Multicast DNS to automatically populate the wide-area unicast Domain Name System namespace with records describing devices and services found on the local link.
Abstract
This document specifies a network proxy that uses Multicast DNS to automatically populate the wide-area unicast Domain Name System namespace with records describing devices and services found on the local link.
RFC 8222: Selecting Labels for Use with Conventional DNS and Other Resolution Systems in DNS-Based Service Discovery
Informational- A. Sullivan
- September 2017
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
Despite its name, DNS-Based Service Discovery (DNS-SD) can use naming systems other than DNS when looking for services. Moreover, when it uses DNS, DNS-SD uses the full capability of DNS, rather than using a subset of available octets. This is of particular relevance where some environments use DNS labels that conform to Internationalized Domain Names for Applications (IDNA), and other environments use labels containing Unicode characters (such as containing octets corresponding to characters encoded as UTF-8). In order for DNS-SD to be used effectively in environments where multiple different name systems and conventions for their operation are in use, it is important to attend to differences in the underlying technology and operational environment. This memo presents an outline of the requirements for the selection of labels for conventional DNS and other resolution systems when they are expected to interoperate in this manner.
Abstract
Despite its name, DNS-Based Service Discovery (DNS-SD) can use naming systems other than DNS when looking for services. Moreover, when it uses DNS, DNS-SD uses the full capability of DNS, rather than using a subset of available octets. This is of particular relevance where some environments use DNS labels that conform to Internationalized Domain Names for Applications (IDNA), and other environments use labels containing Unicode characters (such as containing octets corresponding to characters encoded as UTF-8). In order for DNS-SD to be used effectively in environments where multiple different name systems and conventions for their operation are in use, it is important to attend to differences in the underlying technology and operational environment. This memo presents an outline of the requirements for the selection of labels for conventional DNS and other resolution systems when they are expected to interoperate in this manner.
RFC 7558: Requirements for Scalable DNS-Based Service Discovery (DNS-SD) / Multicast DNS (mDNS) Extensions
Informational- K. Lynn
- S. Cheshire
- M. Blanchet
- D. Migault
- July 2015
- IETF publication
- Internet Area
Abstract
DNS-based Service Discovery (DNS-SD) over Multicast DNS (mDNS) is widely used today for discovery and resolution of services and names on a local link, but there are use cases to extend DNS-SD/mDNS to enable service discovery beyond the local link. This document provides a problem statement and a list of requirements for scalable DNS-SD.
Abstract
DNS-based Service Discovery (DNS-SD) over Multicast DNS (mDNS) is widely used today for discovery and resolution of services and names on a local link, but there are use cases to extend DNS-SD/mDNS to enable service discovery beyond the local link. This document provides a problem statement and a list of requirements for scalable DNS-SD.
RFC 6763: DNS-Based Service Discovery
Proposed Standard- S. Cheshire
- M. Krochmal
- February 2013
- IETF publication
Abstract
This document specifies how DNS resource records are named and structured to facilitate service discovery. Given a type of service that a client is looking for, and a domain in which the client is looking for that service, this mechanism allows clients to discover a list of named instances of that desired service, using standard DNS queries. This mechanism is referred to as DNS-based Service Discovery, or DNS-SD.
Abstract
This document specifies how DNS resource records are named and structured to facilitate service discovery. Given a type of service that a client is looking for, and a domain in which the client is looking for that service, this mechanism allows clients to discover a list of named instances of that desired service, using standard DNS queries. This mechanism is referred to as DNS-based Service Discovery, or DNS-SD.
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