IP Outage Handling via Traffic Interception and Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current DNS systems lack effective handling of resource outages, particularly for resources outside the internet service provider's network, leading to inconsistent user experiences and challenges in determining and mitigating the impact of outages, as well as providing compensation to affected users.
Innovation Solution
A system for internet protocol-based outage handling that collects information on unavailable network resources, monitors network traffic, intercepts requests, and provides notifications and compensation to users through a network traffic monitor, outage content server, and affected user database, enabling better management and communication during outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DNS redirection is used to handle resource outages, then users can be redirected to alternative resources, but the system cannot handle short-term outages effectively due to delays in propagating DNS record changes across multiple DNS servers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system between the user and the unavailable resource that intercepts requests before they reach the resource. This intermediary monitors resource availability and redirects users to alternative resources or provides outage information without requiring DNS record changes, thus avoiding propagation delays while still enabling effective outage handling
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of resource availability and pre-configures alternative resources before outages occur. When a resource becomes unavailable, the redirection is already in place, eliminating the need for real-time DNS updates and allowing immediate response to outages
2Ease of operation
If DNS servers are used to provide internet protocol address lookup for customers, then customers can access internet resources, but customers roaming on another internet service provider's network may experience inconsistent outage handling and cannot receive targeted compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system monitors which users are affected by resource outages by tracking their requests and providing information about the outage impact. This feedback loop enables the system to identify affected customers accurately and provide them with targeted compensation information, resolving the information loss problem for roaming customers
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides universal outage handling that works regardless of which DNS server or internet service provider the customer is using. By implementing a multi-functional approach that monitors and redirects requests at the application layer rather than relying on DNS-specific mechanisms, the system ensures consistent outage handling and compensation eligibility determination for all customers including roamers
3Adaptability or versatility
If compensation is offered for resource outages, then affected customers receive benefits, but fraudulent claims may increase and customer service complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where affected customers are automatically identified through request monitoring and outage tracking. The system automatically determines compensation eligibility and provides compensation information without requiring complex manual verification processes, thus reducing customer service complexity while preventing fraudulent claims through objective, automated determination
Data Source
AI summary
An internet protocol (IP)-based outage handling system. The outage handling system collects information about the impact of selected unavailable network resources on users accessing the network of an internet service provider (ISP). The outage handling system stores information identifying the unavailable network resource and monitors network traffic on the managed network for requests to access the unavailable network resource. The outage handling system intercepts requests to access the unavailable network resource and logs information associated with the request. The logged information may be used to track the total number of requests and analyze the actual impact of the outage. The outage handling system optionally collects additional voluntarily provided information that may be used to notify the user when the resource is available and/or to provide compensation for the access interruption caused by the outage.