Methods, apparatuses, and computer programs for data processing, and hierarchical domain name system zone files

Abstract

Data is processed in a data communications network comprising a hierarchical domain name system. An authoritative name server for a first domain name processes a received domain name query for the first domain name by obtaining one or more resource records associated with the first domain name. The one or more resource records comprise contact information associated with an entity associated with a second domain name. The authoritative name server transmits a response to the domain name query. The response comprises the one or more resource records. The first domain name includes the second domain name and at least one label following the second domain name.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.