DNS Server Rescue Mode for Traffic Overload Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for managing traffic overload on DNS servers are complex, resource-intensive, and ineffective in handling network attacks, particularly those caused by compromised backend or authoritative servers, leading to service disruptions and latency issues.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a 'rescue mode' in DNS servers that segregates requests based on cache availability, using Time to Live (TTL) to provide expired responses for the first set, relaying uncacheable requests to backend servers, and dynamically managing traffic to maintain service continuity during overloads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing techniques for managing traffic overload are implemented, then service continuity may be maintained, but the system becomes complex and resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments traffic into different categories (first set, second set, third set) based on cache availability and request characteristics. This segmentation allows the DNS server to apply different handling strategies to different traffic types, maintaining service continuity while avoiding the need for a single complex overload management system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traffic monitoring and management policies are implemented, then service continuity is maintained, but processing time and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-segmenting traffic into different sets based on cache availability before overload occurs. The DNS server is pre-configured with policies for handling each traffic set, allowing rapid response during overload conditions without requiring complex real-time analysis, thus reducing processing time while maintaining service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If comprehensive traffic management is implemented, then service continuity is improved, but the system consumes more resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidserver resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by selectively managing different sets of traffic differently. Not all traffic requires the same level of management resources - cached requests are handled efficiently without heavy management overhead, while non-cached requests receive appropriate routing. This selective approach maintains service continuity while optimizing resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Productivity

If detailed traffic segregation and policy implementation are used, then request processing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverequest processing efficiencyVSAvoidmanagement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing different handling characteristics for different traffic sets. Cached requests (first set) receive fast local responses, uncached requests (second set) are routed to backend servers, and other requests (third set) follow alternative paths. Each traffic set receives the quality of service appropriate to its characteristics, improving overall processing efficiency without requiring uniform complex management across all traffic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3043534B1Managing traffic overload on a DNS server
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 EFFICIENT IP SAS
  • EP3043534B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3043534B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3043534B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method(s) and System(s) for managing traffic-overload on Domain Name System (DNS) server during a network overload are described. The described system(s) may implement method(s) that include monitoring of traffic associated with the DNS server and identifying an occurrence of an event. Thereafter, activating (deactivating) a rescue mode upon identifying the occurrence of the event. The method may further include implementing one or more policies for handling traffic associated with the DNS server during the rescue mode. In implementing the one or more policies, the method includes processing a first set of requests for which corresponding responses stored in the cache have expired based on Time to Live (TTL) of corresponding responses. Furthermore, the method includes transmission of the corresponding responses with expired data to the client devices.