Intercept Device DNS Response Caching for Network Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In current network architectures, multiple clients on the same communications network requesting the same content from central or local content providers result in separate requests and duplicate content transmission, leading to inefficient utilization of upstream networks and increased response times.
Innovation Solution
A network virtualization method using an intercept device that intercepts DNS responses and content requests, caching content locally to reduce upstream network usage and generate responses from a local cache, thereby minimizing the need for separate content retrieval and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate requests are sent from each client to content provider servers, then each client can retrieve requested content, but upstream network utilization becomes inefficient and response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate client requests for the same content into a single request by implementing a request consolidation mechanism at the edge router. When multiple clients request identical content, the system consolidates these requests and sends only one request to the content provider server, then distributes the received content to all requesting clients. This eliminates redundant transmissions and improves upstream network utilization efficiency while reducing content retrieval time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-caching content at edge routers closer to clients. When content is first requested, it is retrieved from the content provider server and stored in local cache memory at the edge router. Subsequent requests for the same content are served from this local cache, eliminating the need for repeated upstream transmissions and significantly reducing response time for cached content.
2Loss of energy
If cached content is provided at an intercept device, then upstream network utilization is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intercept device (edge router) as an intermediary between clients and content provider servers. This intermediary device performs content caching, request interception, and response generation functions. By placing this intelligent intermediary at the network edge, the system minimizes upstream network usage while concentrating the added complexity in a single strategic location rather than distributing it across multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The intercept device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a gateway router, content cache, request interceptor, and response generator simultaneously. This universal device handles multiple tasks including normal packet routing, content caching, DNS response interception, and cached content delivery, thereby reducing overall system complexity by consolidating functions into a single multi-functional component.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are computerized methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for network virtualization. An intercept device receives a DNS response message from a DNS server. The DNS response includes a domain name, a network address associated with the domain name, and a destination address of a first network device. The intercept device determines whether the domain name satisfies a DNS intercept criterion. If the domain name satisfies the DNS intercept criterion, then a request intercept criterion is updated to include the network address associated with the domain name. The DNS response message is transmitted on to the first network device by the intercept server.