Shared Cache DNS Server for Virtual Instance Query Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing DNS systems face inefficiencies in resolving DNS queries, leading to increased DNS query roundtrip times and traffic, which can limit the performance of end-user applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a DNS server with multiple virtual DNS server instances that share a common cache for caching DNS query results, allowing each instance to retrieve cached records and reduce redundant queries, while also maintaining private caches for customer-specific results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If each virtual DNS server instance maintains its own separate cache, then each instance can independently cache and retrieve DNS records, but DNS query roundtrip time increases and network resources are wasted due to redundant queries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate caches from multiple virtual DNS server instances into a single shared cache structure. This allows all virtual instances to access the same cached DNS records, eliminating redundant queries and reducing DNS query roundtrip time. The shared cache is managed through a unified cache management unit that handles storage and retrieval operations for all instances.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared cache structure serves multiple functions: it acts as a common storage repository for all virtual DNS server instances, provides universal access to cached records across different instances, and enables the cache management unit to serve multiple caching needs through a single mechanism, thereby improving efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Productivity
If DNS servers cache more DNS query results, then resolution efficiency improves, but network traffic and memory usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the caches of multiple virtual DNS server instances into one shared cache, the system avoids duplicating cached records across instances. This significantly reduces network traffic because cached records are stored only once in the shared cache rather than being replicated in each instance's separate cache, while still providing high resolution efficiency for all instances.
3Productivity
If a shared cache is implemented across virtual DNS server instances, then DNS query resolution efficiency improves, but control over customer-specific caching becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shared cache into different portions or regions that can be allocated to different virtual DNS server instances or customer groups. The cache management unit can control which instances can access or write to specific cache segments, providing granular control over customer-specific caching requirements while maintaining the efficiency benefits of the shared cache structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a Domain Name System (DNS) server and a method for resolving DNS queries from a number of clients. The DNS server comprises multiple virtual DNS server instances servicing different clients. The DNS server further comprises a shared cache for caching records which indicate answers to resolved DNS queries. The shared cache is shared between a set of virtual DNS server instances. The virtual DNS server instances that share the shared cache are able to cache DNS query results in the shared cache as well as resolve a DNS query by retrieving a cached record corresponding to the DNS query from the shared cache. Thus it is possible for a virtual DNS server instance to make use of DNS query results obtained by other virtual DNS server instances.