DNS Resolver Network Address Selection for CDN Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content delivery networks face slowdowns and latency due to communication over multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and packet networks, which can overload origin servers and reduce access speed for end users.
Innovation Solution
A method for selecting network addresses of content nodes based on network characteristics, such as latency and throughput, during the domain name translation process, allowing content requests to be routed through the most efficient communication service provider, thereby optimizing content delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If content nodes communicate over multiple communication service providers (ISPs), then content delivery coverage and redundancy are improved, but network latency and throughput deteriorate due to additional routing hops and network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects network addresses of content nodes based on real-time network characteristics (latency, throughput, packet loss) measured during domain name translation. The DNS resolver switches between different content node addresses depending on current network conditions, making the content delivery path adaptive rather than static. This allows the system to maintain reliability through multiple ISPs while optimizing speed by selecting the currently best-performing provider.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the selection parameter from fixed content node addresses to dynamically chosen addresses based on measured network parameters. During domain name translation, the system measures network characteristics and uses these parameters to select the optimal content node address, thereby optimizing content delivery speed while maintaining the ability to switch between multiple providers for reliability.
2Loss of time
If content nodes are distributed across large geographic regions, then access latency for end users is reduced, but network infrastructure complexity increases due to multiple communication paths
Solution Approach 1:
The DNS resolver acts as an intermediary between end users and content nodes. It measures network characteristics during the domain name translation process and selects the most appropriate content node address based on current network conditions. This intermediary function simplifies the complexity of managing multiple geographic content nodes by automatically selecting the optimal path without requiring manual configuration or complex routing protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by measuring actual network characteristics (latency, throughput, packet loss) during domain name translation and using these measurements to select content node addresses. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing network conditions and maintain optimal performance while managing the complexity of distributed content node infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If origin servers handle frequent end user requests, then content delivery simplicity is maintained, but server load and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by measuring network characteristics and selecting optimal content node addresses during the domain name translation process, before actual content requests are made. This preliminary selection of content nodes based on network conditions reduces the burden on origin servers by ensuring that content is served from appropriately positioned nodes, while maintaining simplicity from the user's perspective as they simply access content through their normal browsing activities.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and software that select network addresses of a content node of a content delivery network are provided herein. In one example, a method of operating a control node to perform network address selection that selects between different communication service providers according to network characteristics is presented. The control node receives a domain name lookup request from an end user device to reach a content node. The control node processes network characteristics and the domain name lookup request to select a network address that corresponds to one of the communication service providers. The end user device can use the selected network address to reach the content node over the selected communication service provider.