Method and Apparatus for Providing Name Services

Abstract

An embodiment of the invention comprises a method and apparatus for resolving textual references into numerical addresses. One exemplary method comprises obtaining a multi-part textual reference associated with a name resolution server. The multipart textual reference comprises at least a first host domain reference and a first resource location reference. The method further comprises parsing said multi-part textual reference to dynamically generate a multi-part canonical name. The name comprises a first part comprising a second resource location reference, and a second part comprising a second host domain name. The method further comprises resolving the canonical name into a numerical address.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 210,205, filed Jul. 31, 2002, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to the field of computer software. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing name services, allowing for enhanced manageability and configurability of name services on a network of computers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In order for a computer to be part of a network, it must have a unique identity so that messages can be properly routed to the computer or network node. On the Internet network, for example, the address is represented in accordance with the Internet Protocol (IP) address. In the Internet Protocol each network node maybe represented with a numerical address. In version four of the Internet Protocol (Ipv4), the numerical address is a thirty two (32) bit address used in combination with ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020] In existing name resolution systems a root server provides a reference to a name resolution server. The name resolution server contains a database where each host and domain has an association with one or more numerical addresses. In embodiments of the invention, the name resolution server is enabled to dynamically generate a canonical name based on the information stored in the reference to the name resolution server. A second request to a name resolution server to resolve the canonical name returns a numerical address associated with the domain name addressed in the canonical name. The canonical name maybe resolved by the same name resolution server, or by a different name resolution server. Therefore, embodiments of the invention allow for resolving domain names without requiring a database for mapping between each registered domain name and a numerical address.

Problems solved by technology

The present DNS system for the Internet can become very complex for firms providing host computers, such as Internet service providers, because of the use of multiple servers that must be synchronized.

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