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  • Domain Name Service Server (US Patent 7814180)

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    U.S. patent 7814180: Domain name service server. Granted to Pulleyn et. al. (2 total) on 2010-10-12 (filed 2004-03-12) and assigned to Infoblox, Inc.. Currently involved in at least 1 patent litigation: Infoblox Inc v. Bluecat Networks USA Inc et. al. (California). See http://news.priorsmart.com for more info.

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    Domain name service server (US patent 7814180)

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    U.S. patent 7814180: Domain name service server. Granted to Pulleyn et. al. (2 total) on 2010-10-12 (filed 2004-03-12) and assigned to Infoblox, Inc.. Currently involved in at least 1 patent litigation: Infoblox Inc v. Bluecat Networks USA Inc et. al. (California). See http://news.priorsmart.com for more info.

    Copyright:

    Public Domain
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    720 views16 pages

    Domain Name Service Server (US Patent 7814180)

    Uploaded by

    PriorSmart
    U.S. patent 7814180: Domain name service server. Granted to Pulleyn et. al. (2 total) on 2010-10-12 (filed 2004-03-12) and assigned to Infoblox, Inc.. Currently involved in at least 1 patent litigation: Infoblox Inc v. Bluecat Networks USA Inc et. al. (California). See http://news.priorsmart.com for more info.

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    of 16
    2) United States Patent Pulleyn et al, (54) DOMAIN NAME SERVICE SERVER, (73) Inventors: Ivan W. Palleyn, Chicago, IL (US): Stuart M. Balle Evanston, IL (US) (13) Assignee: Infobox, Ine. Santa Cara, CA (US) (*) Notice: Subject any disclaimer, the term ofthis, pateat is extended or adjusted under 35 US. 154(b) by O days (21) Appl.Nos 107799,083 (22) Filed: Mar. 12,2008 6) Prior Publication Data [US 2004/0210672A1 Oct. 21, 2004 Related US. Application Data (63) Continuation of application No, 0961: Jul 13, 2000, now abandoned (1) mec GUOE 15/177 (2006.01) (2) US.c. To9/220; 7091221; 709/222; 09/245 (58) Field of Clasiication Search 7091208, 08/219, 249, 226,227, 220, 221, 222, 285; T1W201; TOTO, TOWES ‘See application ile for complete seach history 656) References Cited USS. PATENT DOCUMENTS, Us007814180B2 (10) Patent No.: (45) Date of Patent: US 7,814,180 B2 Oct. 12, 2010 6566216 B2* $2003 Waters 0110 6718385 BI* 412004 Baker etal 109728 6801952 B2* 102004 Betale 7928 6832120 BI* 122004 Franketal 70068, 68321322 BI* 122004 Boden eal 15201 ‘7047301 B2* $2006 Skene a. 709.226 TATA BI* 102006 Wilson SOTO R 20020004796 AL* 12002 Vange et 70710 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS Wo wos2T680¢ ao * 6999 OTHER PUBLICATIONS ‘Stephen Shankland, Fims flock to rowing server appliance markt (Oct 27, 1999, hip /newscnet com news 0-1003-200-1420358, hum Gail R. James and Paul Anderson, The mame game, Mar 15,1999.up: tion comarhie 19 S040 OFS 1999 hm * cited by examiner Primary Esaminer—Kenay S Lin (74) torn: Agent, or Firm—Van Pelt, Yi & James LLP on ABSTRACT A DNS server system provides IP addresses fora host aa ‘computer network. Upon receiving a request romaclient for an IP adress associated with domain name, the requested IP address is revieved from an object orients database and ‘ransmited t the client, The DNS server system provides ‘configuration access from a client in ® computer network ‘Communicative coupling is established between a cient web ‘rowserandaDNS serversysiem web server. Auser interface adapted to provide configuration access to a DNS server system is requested. The use interface is downloaded from — Cone ree a 2 GD aerogptitione . ‘sales 2) = res eee eat] eee ml | [ee | [In ‘ww support infoblox.com | wrens =e ro i. ae ame = 4 Newer 192.000 US 7,814,180 B2 Sheet 1 of 8 Oct. 12, 2010 US. Patent bold aouelddy Jeniag SNG XoIgoyu maa OL oy ve Lolo gor zel Zweig ico xo|qoyuroddns ew \E U/ BL oz. =s| >HOMIEN sayndwo9 82 LUA! OOLOL'891'z6L ~ a woo xojqojur Woddns: aww <7 a [| — oe) US 7,814,180 B2 Sheet 2 of 8 Oct. 12, 2010 US. Patent oc” fiddng somo 6e ¥sI0 BE WVY 9 Add [ve ze Wd Pur Ndd UM pseoqisyjoyy Soeparu| rues SoepeiuT >HOMJON US. Patent Oct. 12, 2010 Sheet 3 of 8 US 7,814,180 B2 54 [ 48 46 DNS Config. Web ee Server Server Server 44 Object 56] Oriented i 58 Database Operating System perating Sy! ine FIG. 3 US 7,814,180 B2 Sheet 4 of 8 Oct. 12, 2010 US. Patent vols woo'xo|qojul-Hoddns senses Oo woo'xo|qojuloddns ‘lew Woo xoiqoyur'sajes' eu wooxojqojul oddns' www g9-~ wloo“xoqoyur'sajes woo-xo)qoyuroddns eal wooooyeh | | ] wioo'xo|qojul yo” tw | | npe woo 09% US 7,814,180 B2 Sheet 5 of 8 Oct. 12, 2010 US. Patent $ ‘Old og. ZOLOL 891 Z6L ¥SOH LOL OL'891'z6L ySOH 00101 eo 'z6L 3S0H 000°82'891'Z6L HOMJaN-GNS 000'02'891 Z6L OMION-ANS Igy 000°01'891'26L SJOMIEN-ANS 000'00'sz1'z61 UOMJON-GNS 000°00'891'z6L 92-7] HOMIEN-GNS 000°00'000'Sz1 HOMJEN-ANS bl 000°00'000'261 SHOMJEN-GNS, US 7,814,180 B2 Sheet 6 of 8 Oct. 12, 2010 US. Patent "Old O'O'0'ZEL OMEN re 96 “1261 0'0'891 'z6L DUOMSN O'OL'g91'z6L (aN eo 291 DMOMION oz or ‘O01 zop 7“ — = OOLOL'e91-Z6L woo'xo|qojurpoddns- man oa "SOW se 1s zoL ooL qew Janes MMM vOl 26 yoddns woo'xo|qojur Woddns :auoz US 7,814,180 B2 Sheet 7 of 8 Oct. 12, 2010 US. Patent z-old >UOMON 0'02°89}'Z6} O43 0} SISOH MULION o'0-0'z61 suomen UoKelado aAOW WONIEN a5eqeIeEdOO XoIgo}U zl o-0'891'z61 SHOMION 000'02"891'26 1 eer S oanoniae ‘90b Yo Lo 00L0z'e91'z61 EW I woo xo|qojur odds: awa . "}SOH, 001 mann Zbb OLL- 80L woo'xo\qqjurHoddns :auoz woo'xojqoju! :2u0Z wos SuoZ US 7,814,180 B2 Sheet 8 of 8 Oct. 12, 2010 US. Patent Ob ss—7 002. 8°Sld WO AUEM WO Usseeeee Ie] sg 0001 WOH gISOY = 20001 ysoH JIsoy = 90001 ysoH gysoy = SO00L ySoH pisoy = _ £0001 ysoH elsoy = u 5 ZOO = OH BOW =|) wooroidehurZ & FOO 0L ysoH jjsoy = CaS ~ s$auoz = BAOUOY—seeavew wesane WON PPY UOT PPy wrewevee 2 oY ip & FF & oo cle oz 802 902 v0Z z0z 1-vLz US 7,814, 1 DOMAIN NAME SERVICE SERVER FIELD OF THE INVENTION ‘The present invention relates generally to server applies ances, and more particulary to domain mime service server ‘appliances. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION vo ‘A domain name service (DNS) is generally directory service for translating user friendly alphanumeric names for specific computes or hosts within a computer network ato ‘computer recognizable mimerical addresses, While DNS was originally developed to facilitate communications between computers via the Intemet, the use of DNS is becoming increasingly common in intranet environments, especially those which employ Intent Protocol (IP to send data from ‘one compute o another withia a network. Intranet and Intemet-connected computers wtlize a ‘numeri akressing system to locate and route communica tions to other computers within a network. The mumeric addressing system requires that each computer connected to the Intemet have its own unique numeric IP addres. IP addesses are typically 32 bit addresses that are represented > by a string of numbers separated by periods, such a for example, "192.168.10.100° Since numeric adresses ae dif ficult to remember, DNS was create to enable the pairing of domain namesto specific numeri IP addesses. For example, ‘when an Intemet user types in the domain name “www.sup- portinfoblox.com.” DNS is the intermediary system that ‘ranslates the domain name to the corresponding numeric IP addess,“192.168.10.100." “There are generally two different entities which interact, With the DNS server clients and administrators. Clients are ‘zeneally other computers which request IP addresses as ciated with specifi domain names from the DNS server Adminstators are the individual responsible for managing the DNS data store in the DNS server ‘Many large organizations, such as for example corporate intranets, commercial Intemet Service Providers (ISPs), Intemet content providers and educational and government ‘stitutions maintain IP based computer networks, Such ona izations typically develop andanaiatsin their wn DNS sev cr for Interet and intanet applications. For prior art sys ‘emsestablshing a DNS server usualy requires the expertise ofan information technology (IT specialist and iavolves the soletion and integration of mule hardware and software ccomponeats ‘The software components in a prior at system typically ‘include an operating system and a DNS server software pack age. The DNS server hardware generally consists of typical ‘computer hardware including a processor, harddrive, and ‘netory. The DNS server sofivate typically includes a DNS, server engine, a database forstring DNS data anda graphical user interface (GUL) which permits the administrator to access database. The DNS server engine responds to clint requests for DNS data by retrieving the requested data from, the DNS database and forwarding the retieved data to the client @ “TheDNS server software can be selected from a numberof prior art DNS server software packages available for pure chase ora DNS software package, Berkeley Intemet Domain ‘Name (BIND), can be downloaded fee of charge from the Intemet Software Consortium, Since the DNS server hare ‘ware andthe operating system are acquired separately from the DNS server sofiware, DNS server software developers 180 B2 2 ‘may beunableto create sftwareto optimize the pecformance ofthe DNS server for particular harvare and software sys- teas. The specifications ofthe DNS server hardware, suchas tho specific har drive model, the processor speed, the memory size and hardware component redundancies aswel as operating system porate such 9 Transmission Con- tro ProoeoV internet Proogol (TCP/IP) stack parameters and em! memory allocation sizas are peerally unknowa tothe NS server software developers at the time they are devel- oping such software Sletng appropiate hadvare and an appropriate operat ing system forthe DNS server requires researe ino the ‘minimum operating system requirements and the minimum Inrvare requirements necessary to suppor te DNS server soltwaze In addition, standard operating systems typieally include « multitude of drivers that ae Unnecessary foe the operation ofa DNS server, suchas for example drivers for sound cards, vdeo cards and all avaiable disk dives. The presence of ena drivers within the operating system eretes a peta for colts with ther DNS server softwarecom ponents theehy increasing he iktibood of ero ormalfne- tions. The larger kernel size of an operating system with unecessary drivers often results in deceased DNS server perfomance, such 2s reed inpuouput throughput othe computer network aha dive Following the selection of the appropriate DNS sone hardware, the DNS server software requesting 1 the selected ardvare to opinize the perormance ofthe DNS server. For example, kemelbuler sizes have tobe st 10 ‘match the specific inpuvouput hardware including disk contol and network adapters Priorart DNS server software packages typically inludea relational database fr storing DNS data, DNS data generally consis of numerous data items with often complex intereon- nections between thse items. Relational databases do not easily sopporteamplex mapping between data ites and a resll mule complex relation qories in a relational query language, suchas Stuctured Query Language (SQL), ‘ay be reguted to perfom simple modifications to data relationships within the database. Prior ar DNS. server software packages also inclades arapical user interfaces (GUIS) which permit the adainis- fetor to acces the relational database. GUIs are typically insallod ona single computer and accessible ony on tht computer by the administrator. Typically, DNS server sft ‘war does ot permit accesso the GUIs rom any networked computer within computer network. The section andi gation of network saitare, sch as PC Anywhere withthe DNS serversystem may be usedo peemitthe administrtorto access the GUI over a computer network. However, such Soitware does not work with Wold Wide Web (WWW) peo- tocols and requires special iastallaton oa every computer sed to aces the DNS server compute. Aso prior art DNS servers typically do not include «web bse interice to access GUh. Prior at DNS servers may also have mutile unnecessary arare and software acess pints, For example the DNS server hardware can be acess via a monitor keyboard, a ‘mouse «parallel pr, serial ports, a network interface anda ‘mies Seria bus (USB) interface. The availability of ml tiple access pons render the DNS server susceptible 10 accesshy unauthorized personne. nad, standard oper- ating systems also inclnde mule acess pons, such ssa console eminal and numerous network ports. The avilable ity f sch unnecessary access pot rene the DNS server vulnerable to potential tacks from computer hackers and ‘nay also case the DNS server to un ineliienty US 7,814, 3 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A method of providing configuration aooess to a DNS. serve system from a client in a eompoter network includes «stblishing communicative coupling between a client web ‘browserand aDNS serversystem web server.A serinteface ‘adapled to provide configuration aecess to a DNS server system is requested, The user interface is downloaded from the DNS server system over the computer network, ‘The user interface may comprise a GUL. ‘The user interface may comprise a JGUIL. Te user interface may beadapledto provide configuration access to a DNS database. ‘Theuserinterface may beadaptedio provide configuration ‘acess to a DNS object orieated database “The user interface may be adaped to provide accesso an object oriented database. ‘Communicative coupling may be established between the client web browser and « DNS configuration serve. ‘The computer network may comprise the Interet, ‘The computer network may comprise an IP based com: puter network ‘The computer network may comprise an intranet, ‘Communicative coupling may be established between the ser interface and a configuration sever. ‘The DNS server system may comprise a DNS server ppl Tn accordance with another aspect ofthe preset invention, a method of providing an IP adklress fora hos in computer ‘network includes receiving a request for an IP address ass0- ciated with a domain same from a cient in a computer net- ‘work, The requested IP address is retrieved from an object. ‘oriented database, The retrieved address is transmitted tothe client Communicative coupling may be established between a client web browser and a DNS server, ‘The computer network may comprise the Intemet ‘The computer network may comprise an IP based com- puter network, “The computer network may comprise an intranet, The DNS server system may comprise a DNS server pp w x“ BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. Lisa block diagram representation ofthe DNS server ** appliance within a computer networkin accordance with the principles ofthe present invention. FIG.2 isa block diagram representation of the hardware ‘components ofthe DNS server appliance of FIG. 1 IG. 3 is a block diagram representation of the sofware ccomponeats ofthe DNS server appliance of FIG. 1. FIG, 4 is 9 representation of hierarchical structure of ‘ones and sub-zones ia the DNS system, FIG. $ is block diagram representation of data routes froma client to a host via sub-networks FIG. 6s block diagram representation of objects ty cally stored ina DNS object oriented database FIG. 7 isa block diagram representation illustrating the rerouting of host objects witha the DNS object oriented database. FIG. Bisanexample ofa GUI foraccessng the DNSserver appliance. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION s Referring to FIG. 1, domain name service (DNS) server appliance 10 in aoordance with a prefered embodiment of 180 B2 4 the present invention is shown in a computer network 16 ‘Matched hardware and pre-installed sofiware components are integrated int a fully functional package to facilitate the installation and operation of the DNS server appliance 10. “The DNS server appliance 10 includes a power button 2nd asttus ight 14 which is tumed on when power is supplied io the DNS server appliance 10. ‘The DNS server appliance 10s adapted foruse i Interaet Protocol (1P) based computer networks, such a the Internet ‘and intranet applications emplaying IP to convey data fom, ‘one networked device to another networked device. The com- puter network 16 including» pluality of hosts 18,» plurality ‘ofeliens 20 andthe DNS server appliance 10 is shown, Each host 18s identifiable by atleast one domaia name 22 and a ‘unique IPaddeess 24 For example, the host computer 18 may be identified by its domain name “www support iafoblox. com 26 or by its IP address os “192.168.10.100°" 28, ‘The DNS server appliance 10s limited to enable interac tion with clients 20 and administrators. When a client 20, ‘wishes to establish a network connection with the host com- puter 18 for “ww support infoblox com,” 26 the elit 20, contacts the DNS server appliance 10 and requests the IP adress 24 associated with the domain name “wwwsuppor. infoblox.com” 26. The DNS server appliance 10 supplivs the client 20 with the comesponding TP address “192.168,10.100°"28, The client 20 then uses the received IP adress 24 send data packosto the host 18. The DNS server appliance 10 is designed io enable the administrator io access the DNS server appliance 10 va the computer network 16, ‘using aay client 18, This permis an administer to perform, routine administrative functions, such as updating the IP addres 24 fora domain name 22, via a remote networked ‘computer. Reterrng now to FIG. 2, the DNS server appliance hard ‘ware 30, the platform for runing and storing DNS server appliance softwar, storing DNS data and providing an inter- face tothe computer network 16, is shown, The DNS server ‘appliance hardvare 30 generally includes a computer moth- ctboard 32 including a central processing unit (CPU) 34 ‘coupled to random access memory (RAM) 36, A disk 38, (ea, computer readable medium), suchas for example a :multigigabyte hard drive is uso o store DNS server appli fnce software and DNS data and is coupled t the mother- board 32. power supply 39 s adapted to be coupled to an alternating curtent (AC) power source (not shown), such as forexamplea 110Volt AC pawver source, vigapower input 41 “The power supply 39 is also coupled tothe motherboard 32, and converts the AC power supplied by the power soure into direct curent (DC) voltage, such as for example #5 DC vols, to power the motherboard 32. The power butloa 12 is coupled tothe power supply 39 and controls the application of power othe motherboard 32, The satu ht 14, suc as for ‘exaauple alight emitting diode (LED), is coupled tthe moth- cerboard 32 and provides an indication of when power is supplied othe motherboard 32 and the DNS server appliance 1Wis powered on. A neowork interface 43 tthe motherboard 32 is provided to permit a client 20 to acess the DNS server Appliance 10 to request an IP addeess 24 fora specifi domain ‘ame 22, A serial interface 40 wo the motherboard 32 provides ‘the administrator with access tothe mothorboard 32 o assign an IP adress 24 to the DNS server appliance 10. The DNS server appliance 1 bardwareconiguratio limits the number ofhaniware access ports to minimize the risk unauthorized access to the DNS server appliance software and DNS dat, Limiting the aumber of hanlware access ports also reduces US 7,814,180 B2 5 the numberof software drivers necessary to operate the DNS. server appliance 10 thereby reducing inefficiencies in the system, In an altemative embodiment, multiple disks may be used to provide redundancy and increase system relicblity. In another embodiment, a wireless acces pot, such a an inka report, may beaddeto the system or may be substituted for the serial interfice 40. Such a port would enable an admin ‘ratortossignan IP address 24 tothe DNSserverwiththeuse ‘of apersonal assistant device, suc ava Palm Pilot, While the prefered embodiment of the DNS server appliance 10 Jncludes the disclosed hardware configuration, altenatve configurations of hardware adapted to optimize DNS server appliance performance and provide limited access to DNS. server appliance software are considered to be within the scope ofthe invention “Turning now to FIG. 3, the DNS server appliance software ‘components 42 including DNS server 44,4 Web server 46nd ‘configuration server 48 all rn onan operating system 52. "Network ports 4 provide communication finksbeween each server and the computer network 16, An object oriented data- base $6 is wenerally used to sore domain name data and IP des data. graphical user interface (GUD 88s provided tw enable the administrator to access the object oriented data ‘base 56 to perform configuration changes, suchas modifica 2 ‘ions and updates. In an alternative embodiment, a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server may also be ‘cludes as a component of the DNS server appliance 10, ‘The DNS server 42 is coupled tothe computer network 16 via a network por $4 and tothe objet oriented database 56 ‘When a cient 20 sues a request for an IP address 24 asso ciated with a specific domain name 22, the DNS server responds othe request hy accessing the object oriented data ‘ase $610 retrieve the requested IP address 24 and conveying the retrieved IP address 24 tothe client 20 via the network pot 54, “The web server 46isadaptedo perform the single function ‘of responding to request from the administrator to retrieve ‘and deliver the GUI SB othe administrator. Te adinistator uses a networked client 20, o convey a request tthe web server 46 to download the GUL $8, The web server 46 responds tothe request by retrieving the GULS8 fom the disk ‘and conveying it via the computer network 16 to the adn {stratr's networkod client 20, The downloaded GUI $8 runs fn a standard web browser, such as Netscape oF Internet Explorer and establishes an interface between the cient 20, being used by the administrator, and the configuration server 448, The configuration server 48respondsto commands ised by the administrator vie the GULS8 o peeform configuration changes tothe object oriented database $6, The DNS seeverappliancesofware components and the ‘operating system 52 are specifically matched and tuned to accommodate the specifications ofthe DNS server appliance ‘hardware components 300 optimize the overall performance ofthe DNS server appliace 10, In the prefered embodiment, the operating system $2 is erived from an operating system kernel, as is included in a standard Linux distribution. The necessary device drivers are aed to the operating system kernel. The deviee drivers used are specially matched tothe DNS serve appliance hard ‘ware 30 and updated withthe most recat patches to achieve the higher levels of system stability and performance. For example, unnecessary drivers or othe utilities are present in the kemel operating systemare removed or disabled. The lack of extra drivers reduces the possiblity of conflicts occurring between the operating system software and other DNS server ‘appliance software compoaens. The reduced kerael size of s 6 the operating system $2 increases DNS server appliance per- formance, For example, inpuvoutput throughput tothe com puter neovork 16 and hard deve is increased, The operating system 52 is also stramfined to eliminate unnecessary soft- ware access points, such a unnecessary network ports §4, “This races the vulnerability ofthe DNS server appliance 10 to potential attacks by hackers. In addition, the DNS server software components 42 are pre-installed and pre-configured for operations as to reduce the time and expertise necessary ‘o install and operate the DNS server appliance 10, An alternative embodiment of the DNS server appliance includes a microkemal operating system which may be embedded in a read only memory (ROM) boot image. In another embodiment, a solid state storage device is used to sre the objet oriented database. The use of a microkeral ‘operating system, ROM boot image, and solid state storage

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