Discrete mapping for targeted caching
View Patent ↗Some embodiments provide systems and methods for implementing discrete mapping for targeted caching in a carrier network. In some embodiments, discrete mapping is implemented using a method that caches content from a content provider to a caching server. The method modifies a DNS entry at a particular DNS server to resolve a request that identifies either a hostname or a domain for the content provider to an address of the caching server so that the requested content is passed from the cached content of the caching server and not the source content provider. In some embodiments, the particular DNS server is a recursive DNS server, a local DNS server of the carrier network, or a DNS server that is not authoritative for the hostname or domain of the content provider.
1. A computer-implemented method for providing localized content delivery for users gaining network access through a first data network, the first data network comprising (i) a caching server and (ii) a first Domain Name System (DNS) server for initiating resolution of DNS requests that originate from the users operating within the first data network, the computer-implemented method comprising:
caching to the caching server, substitute content that is different than original content of a particular content provider operating within a different second data network, wherein content of the particular content provider is identified by a particular domain;
modifying an entry of the first DNS server of the first data network based on said caching of the substitute content by the caching server, wherein said modifying reconfigures the first DNS server to resolve any request directed to the particular domain to the caching server without modifying a second DNS server that (i) is authoritative for the particular domain or (ii) operates outside the first data network;
resolving a new request directed to the particular domain at the first DNS server based on the modified entry by identifying the caching server in response to the new request, said resolving occurring without reference to another DNS server including the second DNS server that is authoritative for the particular domain; and
passing the substitute content from the caching server in response to the new request.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the original content is hosted by a server of the particular content provider operating in the second data network that is outside the first data network.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first DNS server comprises at least one of a recursive DNS server, a local DNS server of the first data network, and a DNS server that is not authoritative for the particular domain.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising identifying that the original content of the particular content provider is subject to a restriction that prevents delivery of the original content to the users of the first data network.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising determining to reduce traffic flows between the first data network and the second data network.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the new request originates from a user operating from within the first data network.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein modifying operation of the first DNS server comprises introducing a CNAME into the first DNS server's configuration, and wherein the CNAME provides an alias for the particular domain with the alias resolving to an IP address of the caching server.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein resolving the new request comprises providing an IP address of the caching server in response to the new request.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein resolving the new request comprises further comprising passing from the first DNS server, an IP address of the caching server in response to the new request.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein resolving the new request comprises further comprising passing from the first DNS server, a DNS response with a CNAME in response to the new request, wherein the CNAME comprises an alias that resolves to an IP address of the caching server.
11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising determining that the original content is restricted by the first data network.
12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising determining that the original content is subject to network errors when delivered.
13. A first data network comprising:
a caching server comprising a processor and memory, the memory caching substitute content that is different than original content of a particular content provider operating within a different second data network, wherein content of the particular content provider is identified by a particular domain;
a first Domain Name System (DNS) server for initiating resolution of DNS requests that originate from users operating within the first data network, the first DNS server:
modifying a first DNS entry based on said caching of the substitute content by the caching server, wherein said modifying reconfigures the first DNS server to resolve any request directed to the particular domain to the caching server without modification of a second DNS server that (i) is authoritative for the particular domain or (ii) operates outside the first data network; and
resolving a new request directed to the particular domain based on the first DNS entry by identifying the caching server in response to the new request, said resolving occurring without reference to another DNS server including the second DNS server that is authoritative for the particular domain, and wherein the caching server passes the substitute content in response to the new request.
14. A computer system operating within a first data network, the computer system comprising:
memory caching substitute content that is different than original content of a particular content provider operating within a different second data network, wherein content of the particular content provider is identified by a particular domain;
at least one hardware processor (i) modifying first data network Domain Name System (DNS) entry based on said caching of the substitute content, wherein said modifying reconfigures the first data network DNS entry to resolve any request directed to the particular domain without modification of a second DNS server that is authoritative for the particular domain or operates outside the first data network, and (ii) resolving a new request directed to the particular domain based on the first data network DNS entry without reference to another DNS server including the second DNS server that is authoritative for the particular domain; and
at least one network interface passing the substitute content from the memory in response to the new request.