Multi-Master DNS Consistency During Network Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DNS systems face challenges in maintaining consistency of DNS records across multiple master servers due to temporary network isolation, leading to inconsistencies that can affect online services, particularly in protocols requiring synchronization like VoIP.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-master DNS system where each master DNS server monitors network connections and enters an isolation mode when isolated, with defined rules for updating DNS records upon reconnection to ensure consistency across all servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single primary authoritative DNS server is used per DNS zone, then DNS record updates can be controlled centrally, but the system lacks redundancy and consistency if the primary server goes down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple master DNS servers into a single DNS zone, allowing them to work collaboratively. Each master server can accept and propagate DNS record updates, eliminating the single point of failure while maintaining centralized control through coordinated updates across all master servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary synchronization mechanisms where master DNS servers pre-coordinate update propagation. When one master server receives a DNS record update, it proactively propagates the change to other master servers before clients can query, ensuring consistency is maintained in advance of potential conflicts.
2Reliability
If multiple master DNS servers are implemented, then redundancy and consistency are improved, but DNS record synchronization becomes complex during network isolation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each master DNS server to operate independently with its own update capabilities when isolated. Each server can accept and process DNS record updates locally without requiring real-time coordination with other masters, adapting its behavior based on its network connection state while maintaining overall system consistency.
3Productivity
If DNS records are updated dynamically based on user demand, then service scalability is improved, but maintaining consistency across all servers becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where master DNS servers monitor each other's update states and propagate changes accordingly. When one master server receives a dynamic DNS record update based on user demand, it provides feedback to other master servers to synchronize the same update, ensuring all servers maintain consistent information even as services scale dynamically.
Data Source
AI summary
In one particular example, a data communications system addresses changes in server load and/or connection latency in connection with data communication services provided through DNS master and slave servers. The system provides dynamic information routing, via a set of DNS master servers being in a multi-master configuration and including a first master DNS server and a second master DNS server, and consistency of DNS records is established between the master servers. Subsequently, the first DNS master server enters into an isolation mode in which updates are not communicated via the network. A set of isolation rules, which indicate how DNS records are to be updated in a communications network, are accessed and used in response to the network connections becoming reliable and the first master server updates the DNS records according to the rules, thereby establishing consistency between the first and the second DNS master servers.