[metrics-bugs] #25551 [Metrics/Onionoo]: host_name field does not match spec

[Tor Bug Tracker & Wiki]

#25551: host_name field does not match spec
-----------------------------+-----------------------------------
 Reporter:  cypherpunks      |          Owner:  irl
     Type:  defect           |         Status:  needs_information
 Priority:  Medium           |      Milestone:
Component:  Metrics/Onionoo  |        Version:
 Severity:  Normal           |     Resolution:
 Keywords:                   |  Actual Points:
Parent ID:                   |         Points:
 Reviewer:                   |        Sponsor:
-----------------------------+-----------------------------------

Comment (by cypherpunks):

 Replying to [comment:3 irl]:
 > Either we should detect cases where a lookup failed and actually omit
 the field, or make clear that an IP address will be returned in the event
 the lookup fails.

 There are cases where you omit the field so I'm not sure what the current
 implementation actually does - that is why I created this ticket.

 > cypherpunks: As you've raised the issue, do you have a preference on
 what we do to fix it?

 I've no strong opinion here but I like the "unverified_host_name" (I would
 name it dns_ptr to be more clear), but that goes in the direction of
 #18342.

 The obvious thing to do would be do implement what the description says.

 > I think I would like to have two fields: "unverified_host_name" and
 "host_name". If the forward lookup fails but we did look up a reverse
 record then we put that in "unverified_host_name". If everything works we
 put it in "hostname" and if no reverse record is found we omit both
 fields. This would be similar to the way we split up alleged family and
 effective family where we still report values even if they cannot be
 confirmed (and can use this information to tell the relay operator how to
 improve their configuration).

 For someone just interested in the PTR record this complicates things. If
 you name it dns_ptr you could always include it no matter if it PTR+A
 matches.

--
Ticket URL: <https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/ticket/25551#comment:5>
Tor Bug Tracker & Wiki <https://trac.torproject.org/>
The Tor Project: anonymity online