Methods and apparatus for providing domain name service based on a client identifier

A data communications device, comprising:

• an interface which is capable of communicating with a client;
• and
• a controller coupled to the interface, wherein the controller is configured to:
• intercept a first domain name service request from the client, the first domain name service request including a domain name field having first contents being solely a host domain name that is the subject of the domain name service request message and that can be resolved into a corresponding network address,
• determine that the host domain name in the first domain name field of the domain name service request is included in a list of domain names associated with corresponding content servers,
• provide a second domain name service request to a domain name service server through the interface in response to interception of the first domain name service request, the second domain name service request having a modified domain name field, the modified domain name field including a concatenated value including the host domain name as well as a client identifier identifying the client, such that the concatenated value does not represent a domain name that can be resolved to a network address, and
• convey a domain name service response from the domain name service server to the client through the interface, the domain name service response including a content server identifier which identifies one of the content servers.

A data communications device, comprising:

• an interface which is capable of communicating with a client;
• and
• a controller coupled to the interface, wherein the controller includes:
• means for intercepting a first domain name service request from the client, the first domain name service request including a domain name field having first contents being solely a host domain name that is the subject of the domain name service request message and that can be resolved into a corresponding network address,
• means for determining that the host domain name in the domain name field of the first domain name service request is included in a list of domain names associated with corresponding content servers;
• means for providing a second domain name service request to a domain name service server through the interface in response to interception of the first domain name service request, the second domain name service request having a modified domain name field, the modified domain name field including a concatenated value including the host domain name as well as a client identifier identifying the client, such that the concatenated value does not represent a domain name that can be resolved to a network address;
• and
• means for conveying a domain name service response from the domain name service server to the client through the interface, the domain name service response including a content server identifier which identifies one of the content servers.

A method for obtaining a domain name service on behalf of a client, the method comprising the steps of:

• intercepting a first domain name service request from the client, the first domain name service request including a domain name field having first contents being solely a host domain name that is the subject of the domain name service request message and that can be resolved into a corresponding network address,
• determining that the host domain name in the domain name field of the first domain name service request is included in a list of domain names associated with corresponding content servers;
• in response to interception of the first domain name service request, providing a second domain name service request to a domain name service server, the second domain name service request having a modified domain name field, the modified domain name field including a concatenated value including the host domain name as well as a client identifier identifying the client, such that the concatenated value does not represent a domain name that can be resolved to a network address, and
• conveying a domain name service response from the domain name service server to the client, the domain name service response including a content server identifier which identifies one of the content servers.

A computer program product that includes a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for obtaining a domain name service on behalf of a client, such that the instructions, when carried out by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of:

• intercepting a first domain name service request from the client, the first domain name service request including a domain name field having first contents being solely a host domain name that is the subject of the domain name service request message and that can be resolved into a corresponding network address,
• determining that the host domain name in the domain name field of the first domain name service request is included in a list of domain names associated with corresponding content servers;
• in response to interception of the first domain name service request, providing a second domain name service request to a domain name service server, the second domain name service request having a modified domain name field, the modified domain name field including a concatenated value including the host domain name as well as a client identifier identifying the client, such that the concatenated value does not represent a domain name that can be resolved to a network address;
• and
• conveying a domain name service response from the domain name service server to the client, the domain name service response including a content server identifier which identifies one of the content servers.