Domain name system resolution

• US 7,099,957 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2001
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: DIRECTV, LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zhang, Ye, Cheline, Douglas A., Ma, Michael, Chong, Lester J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Krisna
• Assistant Examiner(s): REILLY, SEAN M
• Application Number:
  US09/938,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20030041091A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,832 Days
• Field of Search: 709/245, 709/219, 707/3
• US Class Current: 709/245
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0838 using one-time-passwords

Abstract

A host name query is received by a modem from a client computer. The host name query is simultaneously transmitted from the modem to a plurality of Domain Name System (DNS) servers. A response is returned to the client computer from the modem, where the response is based on the host name query and any responses received from the DNS servers. In a preferred embodiment at least one address associated with the host name query is acquired from the DNS servers. The client computer then sends a request for content to the address. If more than one address is returned, all but one of the addresses is eliminated. This can be done by rejecting all but the most recent address, or rejecting all addresses not provided by a service provider DNS server.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for resolving host names on a network, comprising:

receiving at a modem a host name query from a client computer;

transmitting said host name query from said modem to a plurality of Domain Name System (DNS) servers; and

returning a single address to said client computer from said modem, where said single address is based on said host name query and any responses received from said DNS servers, said returning step comprising,

acquiring a plurality of addresses associated with said host name query, from said DNS servers;

applying a policy to eliminate all but one of said addresses; and

returning said address to said client computer, such that said client can send a request for content to said address.

2. A computer implemented method for resolving host names on a network, comprising:

receiving at a modem a host name query from a client computer;

transmitting said host name query from said modem to a plurality of Domain Name System (DNS) servers;

acquiring at least one address associated with said host name query, from said DNS servers;

determining that a plurality of addresses was acquired from said DNS servers;

eliminating all but one of said address by rejecting all but the most recent address; and

returning said address to said client computer, such that said client can send a request for content to said address.

3. A computer implemented method for resolving host names on a network, comprising:

receiving at a modem a host name query from a client computer;

transmitting said host name query from said modem to a plurality of Domain Name System (DNS) servers;

acquiring at least one address associated with said host name query, from said DNS servers;

determining that a plurality of addresses was acquired from said DNS servers;

eliminating all but one of said address by rejecting all addresses not provided by a service provider DNS server; and

returning said address to said client computer, such that said client can send a request for content to said address.

4. A computer program product for resolving host names on a Virtual Private Network (VPN), the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage and a computer program embedded therein, the computer program comprising:

instructions for receiving a host name query from a client computer;

instructions for transmitting said host name query to a plurality of Domain Name System (DNS) servers set up in the modem; and

instructions for returning a single address to said client computer;

where said single address is based on said host name query and any responses received from said DNS servers, wherein said instructions for returning comprise;

instructions for acquiring at least one address associated with said host name query, from said DNS servers;

instructions for determining that a plurality of addresses was acquired from said DNS servers;

instructions for eliminating all but one of said addresses; and

instructions for returning said address to said client computer, such that said client can send a request for content to said address.

5. A computer program product for resolving host names on a Virtual Private Network (VPN), the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage and a computer program embedded therein, the computer program comprising:

instructions for receiving a host name query from a client computer;

instructions for transmitting said host name query to a plurality of Domain Name System (DNS) servers;

instructions for acquiring at least one address associated with said host name query, from said DNS servers;

instructions for determining that a plurality of addresses was acquired from said DNS servers;

instructions for eliminating all but one of said addresses by rejecting all but the most recent address; and

instructions for returning said address to said client computer, such that said client can send a request for content to said address.

6. A computer program product for resolving host names on a Virtual Private Network (VVN), the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage and a computer program embedded therein, the computer program comprising:

instructions for receiving a host name query from a client computer;

instructions for transmitting said host name query to a plurality of Domain Name System (DNS) servers;

instructions for acquiring at least one address associated with said host name query, from said DNS servers;

instructions for determining that a plurality of addresses was acquired from said DNS servers;

instructions for eliminating all but one of said addresses by rejecting all addresses not provided by a service provider DNS server; and

instructions for returning said address to said client computer, such that said client can send a request for content to said address.