Cloud DNS Active Backup Routing for Multi-Region Apps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems face challenges in efficiently managing backup and restoration for applications hosted on cloud computing platforms, due to the diverse environments and locations of applications.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method that uses domain name resolution to manage access to cloud-hosted applications, allowing for improved backup and restoration processes by routing traffic through edge clusters and utilizing cloud DNS for efficient routing and caching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If applications are relocated to cloud computing platforms across diverse environments and locations, then application accessibility and scalability are improved, but backup and restoration management becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication accessibilityVSAvoidbackup management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cloud DNS system as an intermediary between users and application instances. The DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses of primary or secondary instances based on routing policies, abstracting away the complexity of multi-instance management. This mediator handles backup routing automatically without requiring direct user intervention in managing diverse cloud environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cloud DNS system performs multiple functions: it resolves domain names to IP addresses, implements active backup routing, and manages traffic redirection between primary and secondary instances. This multi-functional approach consolidates backup management complexity into a single universal system that handles diverse cloud environments through standardized DNS queries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If active backup routing is implemented using DNS, then application availability is improved, but routing management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication availabilityVSAvoidrouting management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service backup routing where the cloud DNS automatically queries health status of primary instances and redirects traffic to secondary instances without manual intervention. The DNS system monitors instance availability and performs failover routing autonomously, reducing the complexity of manual routing management while maintaining high availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the cloud DNS continuously queries the health status of primary application instances. Based on the feedback from these health checks, the DNS dynamically adjusts routing decisions—redirecting traffic to secondary instances when primary instances are unhealthy and routing back to primary instances when they recover. This feedback-driven approach simplifies routing management by automating decisions based on real-time system state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If health monitoring and automatic failover are implemented, then system reliability is improved, but monitoring and control overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidmonitoring overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial monitoring by querying only the essential health status of primary instances through DNS queries rather than comprehensive continuous monitoring. This partial action approach provides sufficient information for failover decisions without the overhead of exhaustive monitoring, achieving improved reliability with reduced time investment in health checks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12238004B2Active backup path management for multi-region and multi-cloud applications

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 PALO ALTO NETWORKS INC

AI summary

Edge clusters execute in a plurality of regional clouds of a cloud computing platforms, which may include cloud POPs. Edge clusters may be programmed to control access to applications executing in the cloud computing platform. Edge clusters and an intelligent routing module route traffic to applications executing in the cloud computing platform. Application instances accessed through different edge clusters may have a backup relationship managed by a health monitor that is external to the cloud computing platforms. The health monitor monitors accessibility of the application instances internally and externally relative to the cloud computing platforms and transitions the role of primary instance between the application instances by managing routing logic of the cloud computing platforms.