Reverse DNS Lookup with Modified Mappings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reverse DNS mapping is inaccurate and inefficient, failing to reliably track hostnames requested by client devices due to lack of correlation with forward mappings and management by different entities, leading to difficulties in internet service provider (ISP) operations such as permission management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a DNS proxy process server that creates and stores modified reverse DNS mappings on-the-fly during initial forward mapping operations, using a combination of destination IP addresses and source IP addresses of client devices, allowing intermediate servers to accurately determine domain hostnames without reassembling packets, thus enhancing ISP capabilities for filtering and logging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional reverse DNS mapping is used, then the process is simple and fast, but the accuracy and reliability of hostname tracking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges forward DNS mapping and reverse DNS mapping into a unified system managed by a single entity (the ISP's DNS server). This integration ensures that both mapping directions use consistent data sources and algorithms, thereby improving hostname tracking accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by creating and storing reverse DNS mappings proactively during forward mapping operations. When a forward mapping is established, the corresponding reverse mapping is pre-computed and stored in advance, ensuring accurate hostname tracking is already in place before it is needed for filtering or logging operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hostnames are mapped to the same destination IP address, then forward mapping capability is improved, but reverse mapping accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making reverse mappings source-specific. Instead of a single reverse mapping per destination IP, the system creates distinct reverse mappings for each source IP address that accessed the destination. This allows the reverse mapping to accurately reflect which specific hostname was used by which specific client, even when multiple hostnames map to the same destination IP.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to reverse mapping by incorporating source IP address as an additional key parameter. The traditional single-dimension reverse mapping (destination IP → hostname) is extended to a multi-dimensional mapping (source IP + destination IP → hostname), enabling precise tracking of which client used which hostname to access a destination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If forward and reverse mappings are managed by different entities, then system independence is improved, but coordination and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of forward and reverse mappings into a single entity (the ISP's DNS server). This unified management approach ensures that both mapping directions are coordinated and consistent, eliminating the reliability issues that arise from independent management by different entities while maintaining the flexibility needed for accurate hostname tracking.
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with the invention, embodiments of a DNS server, a DNS proxy process, and an intermediate server (IMS) are described. The DNS server, DNS proxy process, and intermediate server (IMS) described herein utilize a source IP address for a client device, in combination with a destination IP address for a host server, in reverse mapping operations in order to accurately provide a hostname originally requested by the client device.