IP Address Transformation via DNS Intermediary for ADC Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Administrators face challenges in reconfiguring application delivery controllers (ADCs) when IP addresses of servers change, requiring manual updates across multiple ADCs, which can be disruptive and inefficient, especially during server replacements or maintenance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system and method for an intermediary device to transform IP addresses obtained via DNS, using a transformation policy with an IP address replacement and translation mask to seamlessly switch between primary and secondary IP addresses, allowing continuous network traffic management without disrupting services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ADC is reconfigured to support new server IP addresses, then the ADC can communicate with the new servers, but the reconfiguration process is disruptive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by having the ADC resolve domain names to IP addresses before actual server communication occurs. The ADC maintains a translation mask and replacement address configuration that enables automatic IP transformation. When servers change IPs, the ADC can seamlessly transition to new IPs through DNS resolution without requiring manual reconfiguration, thus reducing reconfiguration time while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The domain name serves as an intermediary between the ADC and the server IP addresses. Instead of directly configuring the ADC with specific IP addresses, the administrator configures the ADC with domain names and translation policies. The DNS system acts as an intermediary that resolves these domain names to current IP addresses, allowing the ADC to adapt to IP changes automatically without direct reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ADCs are reconfigured to identify replaced servers, then all ADCs can support the new servers, but the complexity of reconfiguration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The translation mask and replacement address mechanism provides universality across multiple ADCs. Instead of configuring each ADC individually with new server IPs, the system establishes a universal translation policy that can be applied consistently across all ADCs. The ADCs use the same domain name resolution and IP transformation logic, simplifying the reconfiguration process while maintaining multi-ADC support for server replacements.
3Reliability
If the ADC uses secondary IP addresses for server communication, then the ADC can be disconnected from servers while primary IPs continue servicing traffic, but the ADC must implement complex IP transformation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements parameter changes by transforming IP address parameters through a standardized process. The ADC applies a translation mask to identify which bits of the IP address need transformation and uses a replacement address to provide the correct IP value. This parameter transformation approach enables the ADC to switch between primary and secondary IP addresses systematically, maintaining traffic continuity while managing complexity through structured parameter manipulation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods for improving networked communication systems by transforming IP addresses. In particular, an intermediary device disposed in a network between a plurality of clients and a plurality of servers can receive a request for a service offered at a specified domain name. The appliance can also receive a DNS-resolved primary address for a server associated with the domain name, and transform the primary address to a secondary address for the server. The address transformation can be done by the intermediary to prevent service interruption between a client and server due, for example, to server maintenance.