Dynamic DNS Query Routing for CDN Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content providers face strain on computing resources due to high volumes of content requests from client devices, especially when requested content includes multiple components like images or videos, and existing methods for leveraging content delivery networks (CDNs) require inefficient offline processes for modifying resource identifiers.
Innovation Solution
The method involves routing DNS queries from client computing devices within a content delivery network (CDN) domain using alternative resource identifiers, which allows for dynamic selection of CDN servers based on geographic or service-level criteria, optimizing content delivery by directing requests to the most appropriate CDN servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If content providers directly serve content requests from client computing devices, then they can maintain full control over content delivery, but their computing resources become strained due to high request volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the content delivery function by introducing CDN servers as intermediate nodes between the content provider and client computing devices. The content provider's resource pool is divided into origin servers that handle specific tasks (content storage, initial request processing) while CDN servers handle content delivery to clients, distributing the load across multiple segmented components.
Solution Approach 2:
CDN servers act as intermediary components between the content provider and client computing devices. These intermediary servers receive content requests from clients, retrieve content from origin servers when necessary, and deliver content to clients, thereby protecting the content provider's computing resources from direct exposure to high request volumes while maintaining delivery control.
2Productivity
If content providers use CDN service providers to facilitate content delivery, then the load on content provider resources is reduced, but existing methods require inefficient offline processes for modifying resource identifiers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource identifier modification where the CDN service provider's computing devices automatically alter resource identifiers in real-time based on current network conditions, client location, and CDN server availability. This dynamic approach replaces static offline modification processes, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions without manual intervention or pre-processing delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The CDN service provider's computing devices autonomously perform resource identifier modification without requiring content provider involvement. The system self-services by automatically detecting when resource identifiers need alteration, performing the modification, and updating the mapping between original and alternative identifiers, eliminating the need for content providers to execute time-consuming offline modification processes.
3Force
If resource identifiers are modified offline in advance, then content providers can prepare alternative identifiers for CDN routing, but the process becomes inefficient and cannot adapt to changing network conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static offline resource identifier modification to dynamic real-time modification. The CDN service provider continuously monitors network conditions, client device locations, and CDN server status, automatically adjusting resource identifiers based on current conditions rather than relying on pre-prepared identifiers that cannot adapt to changing circumstances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the CDN service provider monitors the performance and status of content delivery in real-time. Based on this feedback regarding network conditions, server load, and client response, the system dynamically adjusts resource identifier mappings to optimize content delivery, creating a closed-loop system that continuously adapts rather than relying on static offline preparations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system, method and computer-readable medium for request routing. A client request processing a resource identifier for requested content transmits a first DNS query to a content delivery network service provider. The content delivery network service provider transmits an alternative resource identifier in response to the client computing device DNS query. The client computing device then issues a second DNS query to the same content delivery network service provider. The content delivery network service provider can then either resolve the second DNS query with an IP address of a cache component or transmit another alternative resource identifier that will resolve to the content delivery network service provider. The process can repeat with the content delivery network service provider's network until a DNS server resolves a DNS query from the client computing device.