Dynamic DNS Inbound Route Control via Flow Metrics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current route control methods for managing inbound traffic to online content are inadequate, as they either disrupt the entire Internet routing system or fail to address performance bottlenecks at specific paths, limiting businesses' ability to influence how their content is accessed by users.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic DNS system that selectively directs inbound traffic through multiple network service providers based on performance and cost metrics, using a Flow Control Platform (FCP) to measure and optimize inbound paths, ensuring efficient and balanced access to online content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If eBGP is used to change IP address advertisement to control inbound traffic, then route control capability is improved, but system complexity and disruption to Internet routing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces DNS as an intermediary layer between clients and the actual content delivery infrastructure. Instead of directly modifying eBGP routing tables, the system uses DNS responses to guide clients to appropriate IP addresses, thereby achieving route control without disrupting the core Internet routing system. The DNS server acts as a mediator that translates client requests into optimized routing decisions based on real-time performance metrics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the IP address space into multiple blocks, each associated with different network service providers or delivery points. By controlling which IP address block is returned in DNS responses based on client location and performance metrics, the system achieves fine-grained route control without requiring changes to the entire Internet routing infrastructure. This segmentation allows independent optimization of different traffic paths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If DNS is used to change resolved IP address for route control, then inbound traffic control is improved, but convergence time and affect scope increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes parameters in DNS responses, specifically the IP address returned to clients, based on real-time performance metrics such as network congestion, latency, and provider status. By adjusting these parameters in response to current conditions, the system achieves rapid convergence without requiring full routing table updates across the Internet. The DNS server can immediately reflect changing network conditions in its responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-segments IP address spaces and pre-establishes associations between different IP blocks and network service providers. When route control decisions are needed, the system only needs to select from pre-configured options rather than computing new routes in real-time. This preliminary organization of routing information enables fast DNS-based redirection while maintaining proper route control semantics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple IP address spaces are advertised through multiple providers, then inbound path diversity is improved, but routing advertisement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the DNS server multi-functional by combining traditional domain name resolution with intelligent route control capabilities. The same DNS infrastructure that translates domain names to IP addresses also performs performance-based routing optimization. This universality eliminates the need for separate routing advertisement systems and reduces overall complexity while maintaining path diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The DNS server acts as an intermediary that simplifies the complexity of multiple routing advertisements by presenting a single domain name to clients. Behind the scenes, the DNS server manages multiple IP address associations and selects the appropriate one based on performance metrics, thereby hiding the routing complexity from clients while maintaining path diversity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If DNS-based route control is implemented, then ability to influence inbound traffic is improved, but control precision over specific paths decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making routing decisions specific to each client's location and network conditions. Instead of applying a single routing policy globally, the DNS server evaluates performance metrics for each client request and returns IP addresses optimized for that specific client's path to the content. This localized approach maintains precision for individual paths while achieving broad traffic influence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring network performance metrics such as latency, packet loss, and congestion for different provider paths. This performance data feeds back into DNS routing decisions, allowing the system to continuously optimize path selection based on actual network conditions. The feedback loop maintains precision by adapting to changing path qualities in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing dynamic domain name system (DNS) for inbound route control. For instance, the present invention provides a method that considers load data for each of the network locations that provide an application, such online content or a web site available at multiple geographically distinct data centers, as well as performance data for paths through the various network service providers that serve the locations where the application is available. The IP address that is delivered by the DNS is dynamically controlled to select which IP address, i.e., provider, provides the best path.