Method and system for redirecting a request to a server selected domain

Abstract

Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a domain management system, apparatus and method for hosting and assigning domain names. Embodiments of the domain management system comprise a name assignment system and a hosting system, wherein the hosting system comprises a domain retrieval system and a data storage apparatus. The name assignment system verifies availability and assigns domain names to requesting clients. The name assignment system comprises an input component, a confirmation mechanism and a name storage means. Preferred embodiments of the domain retrieval system comprise a scheduler, a parsing member having a plurality of redirectors and a plurality of servers. The domain retrieval system locates the domain referenced by the domain name by parsing header information and utilizing a wildcard DNS. Once the domain is located, the domain retrieval system forwards the domain to the user computer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for assigning domain names on a wide area network to a client by a provider operating a provider computer, wherein the domain name is defined by a plurality of name level components including a provider component and a client component, comprising: 
 selecting a provider component of the domain name by the client, wherein the provider component is defined by the provider;    selecting a client component of the domain name, wherein the client component is selected by the client;    submitting the proposed name to the provider computer, wherein the proposed domain name is a combination of the plurality of the selected components, wherein the domain name is configured such that the client component is followed by the provider component; and    determining whether the proposed name is to be assigned to the client.    
     
     
         2 . A method for assigning domain names as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 verifying the availability of a proposed domain name by the provider computer.    
     
     
         3 . A method for assigning domain names as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the provider component comprises a plurality of name levels, wherein the plurality of name levels defined by the provider are greater than two.  
     
     
         4 . A method for assigning domain names as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the client component comprises a plurality of name levels, wherein the plurality of name levels defined by the client are greater than two.  
     
     
         5 . A method for assigning domain names on a wide area network to a client by a provider operating a provider computer, wherein the domain name is defined by a plurality of components including a thirdlevel component, a secondlevel component and a toplevel component, comprising: 
 selecting a secondlevel component and a toplevel component of the domain name, wherein the secondlevel component and the toplevel component are defined by the provider computer;    selecting a thirdlevel component of the domain name, wherein the thirdlevel component is selected by the client;    verifying the availability of a proposed domain name by the provider computer, wherein the proposed domain name is a combination of the plurality of the selected components; and    if the proposed domain name is available, assigning the proposed domain name to the client.    
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the domain name is further defined by a fourthlevel component, further comprising: 
 selecting a fourthlevel component of the domain name, wherein the fourthlevel component is selected by the client.    
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 5  further comprising: 
 storing the proposed domain name in a provider maintained register.  
 
     
     
         8 . A method for retrieving an assigned domain on a wide area network by a provider computer, wherein the assigned domain is referenced by an assigned domain name which is requested by a user, the domain name having a computer address being defined by a plurality of components including a thirdlevel component, a secondlevel component and a toplevel component, the provider computer including a domain hosting system having a scheduler, a plurality of redirectors, a plurality of servers and a data storage apparatus, comprising: 
 identifying the computer address of the assigned domain name requested by the user, wherein the computer address is determined by the secondlevel component and toplevel component of the domain name;    executing a parsing procedure, wherein the user requested domain name is translated to a provider defined subdomain name and a client directory, wherein the provider defined subdomain name is partially determined by the secondlevel and toplevel components of the assigned domain name and wherein the client directory is partially determined by the thirdlevel component of the assigned domain name;    identifying a second computer address, wherein the second computer address identifies the provider defined subdomain name; and    transmitting the data associated with the second computer address to the user.    
     
     
         9 . A domain management system including a provider defined data structure for use on a network system, the network system including a user computer and a provider computer coupled via the network system, wherein the user computer is capable of transmitting a domain request and the provider computer is capable of receiving the domain request, comprising: 
 a name assignment system; and    a hosting system, wherein the hosting system comprises a scheduler, a plurality of redirectors, a plurality of servers, and a data storage apparatus, wherein the redirectors includes a parsing mechanism, the parsing mechanism being capable of translating the domain request, which is transmitted by the user computer, to the provider defined data structure.