Geographical IP Lookup Cache Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional geographical IP lookup services face latency issues due to network transmission speed, error rates, and service availability, which are exacerbated by multiple requests from computing devices, leading to extended latency and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a cache memory to store and retrieve geographical IP data, where the first server checks the cache for existing data, updates it if necessary, and implements adaptive mechanisms to prioritize high-frequency and high-variance IP address updates, leveraging subnetting to optimize data retrieval and reduce latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If geographical IP data is retrieved from network service providers in real-time, then data accuracy is maintained, but latency increases to 50-500ms per request
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by caching geographical IP data locally before it is needed. The cache memory pre-stores IP address to geographical location mappings, so when a lookup request arrives, the data is already available locally rather than needing to be retrieved in real-time from external service providers. This eliminates the 50-500ms latency while maintaining data accuracy through periodic updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cache memory as an intermediary component between the computing device and the external network service providers. This intermediary stores frequently accessed geographical IP data locally, mediating between the need for fast local access and the need for accurate external data. The cache acts as a buffer that reduces direct communication with external services, thereby reducing latency while maintaining data reliability through selective updates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple computing devices send simultaneous lookup requests, then service availability is maintained, but latency extends due to service slowdown
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing each computing device to serve its own geographical IP lookup requests through local cache memory. Instead of all devices competing for external service resources, each device independently queries its local cache, eliminating the service bottleneck. When the cache misses, the device individually updates from external services, distributing the load and maintaining service availability without extended latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-caching geographical IP data for multiple devices before requests arrive. By anticipating and storing data for multiple potential lookups in advance, the system prepares the cache memory to handle simultaneous requests without needing to query external services at the moment of demand, thus maintaining service availability while avoiding latency extension.
3Loss of time
If geographical IP data is cached locally, then latency is reduced, but data may become outdated without proper update mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms to monitor and update cached geographical IP data. The cache memory tracks data age and validity, and when thresholds are exceeded or updates are detected from external services, the cache automatically refreshes its contents. This feedback loop ensures that while data remains cached for fast access (reducing latency), it is periodically validated and updated to maintain currency and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action by scheduling regular updates of the cached geographical IP data at predetermined intervals. Instead of continuous real-time synchronization, the cache refreshes data periodically, maintaining an acceptable balance between latency reduction and data currency. This periodic update approach ensures data reliability without the overhead of continuous external service communication.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of a method and a system to process a geographical internet protocol (IP) lookup request of an IP address are disclosed herein. The method is implemented in a first server. The first server receives a first request for the lookup of the IP address from a first computing device. In response to the received first request, data is retrieved from a cache memory. The retrieved data from the cache memory is communicated to the first computing device. The cache memory stores the data received in response to a prior received request for the lookup of the IP address.