NETWORK SYSTEM USING NAME SERVER WITH PSEUDO HOST NAME AND PSEUDO IP ADDRESS GENERATION FUNCTION

• US 20080034118A1
• Filed: 10/02/2007
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: JINMEI, Tatuya, Ishiyama, Masahiro, Tamada, Yuzo
• Application Number:
  US11/866,140
• Publication Number:
  US 20080034118A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/245
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/30 Managing network names, e.g. use of aliases or nicknames name-to-address mapping H04L61/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/3025 Domain name generation or assignment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

The host name to be used in responding to the reverse look-up request from the correspondent is generated at the name server side and returned as a response, and/or the IP address to be used in responding to the normal look-up request from the correspondent is generated at the name server side and returned as a response, so that the communications can be carried out without exposing the privacy of the communication host or the user to danger.

Claims

1. A name server for managing correspondence information that registers a host name corresponding to an IP address by using the IP address as a key, with respect to communication nodes belonging to a network of a prescribed range, the name server comprising:

a reception unit configured to receive a reverse look-up request to which a host name corresponding to a specific IP address should be returned, from a request source node;

a search unit configured to search through the correspondence information by using the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request as a key, when the reverse look-up request is received by the reception unit;

a generation unit configured to generate a pseudo host name, when a host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request is not obtained as a result of search by the search unit; and

a transmission unit configured to return the host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request to the request source node, when the host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request is obtained as a result of search by the search unit, and return the pseudo host name generated by the generation unit to the request source node, when the host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request is not obtained as a result of search by the search unit.

2. The name server of claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates the pseudo host name in one-to-one correspondence with the specific IP address, according to the specific IP address.

3. The name server of claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates the pseudo host name in multiple-to-one correspondence with a plurality of IP addresses including the specific IP address.

4. The name server of claim 1, wherein the generation unit uses one fictitious host name provided in advance or one fictitious host name selected from a plurality of fictitious host names provided in advance, as the pseudo host name.

5. The name server of claim 1, wherein the generation unit does not generate the pseudo host name, when a prescribed condition holds for the specific IP address, and

the transmission unit returns information indicating an error to the request source node, when the prescribed condition holds for the specific IP address.

6. A name server for managing correspondence information that registers an IP address corresponding to a host name by using the host name as a key, with respect to communication nodes belonging to a network of a prescribed range, the name server comprising:

a reception unit configured to receive a normal look-up request to which an IP address corresponding to a specific host name should be returned, from a request source node;

a search unit configured to search through the correspondence information by using the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request as a key, when the normal look-up request is received by the reception unit;

a generation unit configured to generate a pseudo IP address, when an IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request is not obtained as a result of search by the search unit; and

a transmission unit configured to return the IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request to the request source node, when the IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request is obtained as a result of search by the search unit, and return the pseudo IP address generated by the generation unit to the request source node, when the IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request is not obtained as a result of search by the search unit.

7. The name server of claim 6, wherein the generation unit does not generate the pseudo IP address, when a prescribed condition holds for the specific host name, and

the transmission unit returns information indicating an error to the request source node, when the prescribed condition holds for the specific host name.

8. A network system containing a first name server for managing first correspondence information that registers a host name corresponding to an IP address by using the IP address as a key, with respect to communication nodes belonging to a network of a prescribed range, and a second name server for managing second correspondence information that registers an IP address corresponding to a host name by using the host name as a key, with respect to the communication nodes belonging to the network of the prescribed range, wherein:

the first name server has;

a first reception unit configured to receive a reverse look-up request to which a host name corresponding to a specific IP address should be returned, from a request source node;

a first search unit configured to search through the first correspondence information by using the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request as a key, when the reverse look-up request is received by the first reception unit;

a first generation unit configured to generate a pseudo host name in one-to-one correspondence with the specific IP address according to the specific IP address, when a host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request is not obtained as a result of search by the first search unit; and

a first transmission unit configured to return the host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request to the request source node, when the host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request is obtained as a result of search by the first search unit, and return the pseudo host name generated by the first generation unit to the request source node, when the host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request is not obtained as a result of search by the first search unit; and

the second name server has;

a second reception unit configured to receive a normal look-up request to which an IP address corresponding to a specific host name should be returned, from a request source node;

a second search unit configured to search through the second correspondence information by using the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request as a key, when the normal look-up request is received by the second reception unit;

a second generation unit configured to generate a pseudo IP address in one-to-one correspondence with the specific host name according to the specific host name, when an IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request is not obtained as a result of search by the second search unit; and

a second transmission unit configured to return the IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request to the request source node, when the IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request is obtained as a result of search by the second search unit, and return the pseudo IP address generated by the second generation unit to the request source node, when the IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request is not obtained as a result of search by the second search unit; and

a first conversion from the IP address into the pseudo host name by generating the pseudo host name according to the IP address by the first generation unit of the first name server and a second conversion from the host name into the pseudo IP address by generating the pseudo IP address according to the host name by the second generation unit of the second name server are set to be in a relationship of being an inverse conversion of each other.

9. The network system of claim 8, wherein:

the first generation unit of the first name server generates the pseudo host name by attaching a specific character string that contains a character string indicating the pseudo host name, to the IP address; and

the second generation unit of the second name server generates the pseudo IP address by deleting the specific character string that contains the character string indicating the pseudo host name, from the pseudo host name.

10. The network system of claim 8, wherein the first generation unit of the first name server does not generate the pseudo host name, when a prescribed condition holds for the specific IP address, and

the first transmission unit of the first name server returns information indicating an error to the request source node, when the prescribed condition holds for the specific IP address.

11. The network system of claim 8, wherein the second generation unit of the second name server does not generate the pseudo IP address, when a prescribed condition holds for the specific host name, and

the second transmission unit of the second name server returns information indicating an error to the request source node, when the prescribed condition holds for the specific host name.

12. A method for reverse look-up request processing at a name server for managing correspondence information that registers a host name corresponding to an IP address by using the IP address as a key, with respect to communication nodes belonging to a network of a prescribed range, the method comprising:

receiving a reverse look-up request to which a host name corresponding to a specific IP address should be returned, from a request source node;

searching through the correspondence information by using the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request as a key, when the reverse look-up request is received;

generating a pseudo host name, when a host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request is not obtained as a result of search; and

returning the host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request to the request source node, when the host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request is obtained as a result of search, and returning the pseudo host name generated by the generating step to the request source node, when the host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request is not obtained as a result of search.

13. A method for normal look-up request processing at a name server for managing correspondence information that registers an IP address corresponding to a host name by using the host name as a key, with respect to communication nodes belonging to a network of a prescribed range, the method comprising:

receiving a normal look-up request to which an IP address corresponding to a specific host name should be returned, from a request source node;

searching through the correspondence information by using the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request as a key, when the normal look-up request is received;

generating a pseudo IP address, when an IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request is not obtained as a result of search; and

returning the IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request to the request source node, when the IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request is obtained as a result of search, and returning the pseudo IP address generated by the generating step to the request source node, when the IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request is not obtained as a result of search.

14. A method for communication control in a network system containing a first name server for managing first correspondence information that registers a host name corresponding to an IP address by using the IP address as a key, with respect to communication nodes belonging to a network of a prescribed range, a second name server for managing second correspondence information that registers an IP address corresponding to a host name by using the host name as a key, with respect to the communication nodes belonging to the network of the prescribed range, a communication node belonging to the network of the prescribed range, and a correspondent node belonging to external of the network of the prescribed range which becomes a correspondent of the communication node, the method comprising:

transmitting a connection request from the communication node to the correspondent node;

receiving the connection request from the communication node at the correspondent node, and transmitting a reverse look-up request to which a host name corresponding to a specific IP address of the communication node should be returned, from the correspondent node to the first name server;

receiving the reverse look-up request to which a host name corresponding to the specific IP address should be returned, from the correspondent node at the first name server;

searching through the first correspondence information by using the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request as a key, at the first name server;

generating a pseudo host name in one-to-one correspondence with the specific IP address according to the specific IP address, when a host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request is not obtained as a result of search, at the first name server;

returning the pseudo host name to the correspondent node from the first name server;

receiving the pseudo host name from the first name server at the correspondent node, and transmitting a normal look-up request to which an IP address corresponding to the pseudo host name should be returned, from the correspondent node to the second name server;

receiving the normal look-up request to which an IP address corresponding to the pseudo host name should be returned, from the correspondent node at the second name server;

searching through the second correspondence information by using the pseudo host name contained in the normal look-up request as a key, at the second name server;

generating a pseudo IP address in one-to-one correspondent with the pseudo host name according to the pseudo host name, when an IP address corresponding to the pseudo host name contained in the normal look-up request is not obtained as a result of search, at the second name server;

returning the pseudo IP address to the correspondent node from the second name server; and

receiving the pseudo IP address from the second name server, comparing the pseudo IP address received from the second name server and the specific IP address of the communication node, and permitting the connection request of the communication node when the pseudo IP address received from the second name server and the specific IP address of the communication node coincide, or refusing the connection request of the communication node when the pseudo IP address received from the second name server and the specific IP address of the communication node do not coincide, at the correspondent node.

15. A method for communication control in a network system containing a name server for managing correspondence information that registers a host name corresponding to an IP address by using the IP address as a key, with respect to communication nodes belonging to a network of a prescribed range, a communication node belonging to the network of the prescribed range, and a correspondent node belonging to external of the network of the prescribed range which becomes a correspondent of the communication node, the method comprising:

transmitting a connection request from the communication node to the correspondent node;

receiving the connection request from the communication node at the correspondent node, and transmitting a reverse look-up request to which a host name corresponding to a specific IP address of the communication node should be returned, from the correspondent node to the name server;

receiving the reverse look-up request to which a host name corresponding to the specific IP address should be returned, from the correspondent node at the name server;

searching through the correspondence information by using the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request as a key, at the name server;

generating a pseudo host name, when a host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request is not obtained as a result of search, at the name server;

returning the pseudo host name to the correspondent node from the name server; and

permitting the connection request of the communication node when the pseudo host name is received from the name server, or refusing the connection request of the communication node when information indicating an error is received from the name server, at the correspondent node.

16. A computer program product for causing a computer to function as a name server for managing correspondence information that registers a host name corresponding to an IP address by using the IP address as a key, with respect to communication nodes belonging to a network of a prescribed range, the computer program product comprising:

a first computer program code for causing the computer to receive a reverse look-up request to which a host name corresponding to a specific IP address should be returned, from a request source node;

a second computer program code for causing the computer to search through the correspondence information by using the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request as a key, when the reverse look-up request is received by the first computer program code;

a third computer program code for causing the computer to generate a pseudo host name, when a host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request is not obtained as a result of search by the second computer program code; and

a fourth computer program code for causing the computer to return the host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request to the request source node, when the host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request is obtained as a result of search by the second computer program code, and return the pseudo host name generated by the third computer program code to the request source node, when the host name corresponding to the specific IP address contained in the reverse look-up request is not obtained as a result of search by the second computer program code.

17. A computer program product for causing a computer to function as a name server for managing correspondence information that registers an IP address corresponding to a host name by using the host name as a key, with respect to communication nodes belonging to a network of a prescribed range, the computer program product comprising:

a first computer program code for causing the computer to receive a normal look-up request to which an IP address corresponding to a specific host name should be returned, from a request source node;

a second computer program code for causing the computer to search through the correspondence information by using the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request as a key, when the normal look-up request is received by the first computer program code;

a third computer program code for causing the computer to generate a pseudo IP address, when an IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request is not obtained as a result of search by the second computer program code; and

a fourth computer program code for causing the computer to return the IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request to the request source node, when the IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request is obtained as a result of search by the second computer program code, and return the pseudo IP address generated by the third computer program code to the request source node, when the IP address corresponding to the specific host name contained in the normal look-up request is not obtained as a result of search by the second computer program code.