Network Interface Selection via Domain Suffix Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current computing devices often lack the ability to automatically determine the most suitable network interface for accessing network resources, leading to user intervention and increased likelihood of connectivity errors due to the inability to resolve domain names over inappropriate interfaces.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that maintain domain name suffix information to identify accessible network interfaces and their preference levels, allowing for the selection of the most appropriate interface for domain name resolution and network address connection based on trust, speed, and cost considerations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If applications use a predefined network interface or cycle through available interfaces, then network resource access is attempted, but connectivity errors increase and user experience deteriorates due to inability to resolve domain names over inappropriate interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity reliabilityVSAvoidautomatic interface selection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining domain name suffix information and determining accessibility of domain names over network interfaces in advance. When a domain name resolution request is received, the system searches the maintained information to identify suitable network interfaces before attempting resolution, thereby avoiding connectivity errors that would occur with blind interface cycling or predefined interface usage alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If user intervention is required to switch default network interface, then interface selection flexibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to user burden and lack of knowledge about which interface to use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface selection flexibilityVSAvoiduser intervention requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically determining the suitability of network interfaces for domain name resolution based on maintained domain name suffix information. The processor autonomously searches this information to identify accessible interfaces and selects appropriate interfaces without requiring user knowledge or manual intervention, while still maintaining the flexibility to adapt to different network conditions and domain name requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2347561B1Determining a network interface to access a network
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2347561B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2347561B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2347561B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for determining a network interface to access a network resource. An apparatus may comprise a processor configured to receive a request for resolution of a domain name. The processor may be further configured to access maintained domain name suffix information. The maintained domain name suffix information may comprise a plurality of domain name suffix entries. The processor may additionally be configured to search the maintained domain name suffix information for one or more domain name suffix entries corresponding to the domain name to determine one or more network interfaces through which the domain name is accessible. The processor may also be configured to select a network interface for resolving the domain name into a network address from the one or more determined network interfaces.