Method and Apparatus for Providing Name Services

Abstract

An embodiment of the invention comprises a method and apparatus for resolving textual references into numerical addresses. One exemplary method comprises obtaining a multi-part textual reference associated with a name resolution server. The multipart textual reference comprises at least a first host domain reference and a first resource location reference. The method further comprises parsing said multi-part textual reference to dynamically generate a multi-part canonical name. The name comprises a first part comprising a second resource location reference, and a second part comprising a second host domain name. The method further comprises resolving the canonical name into a numerical address.

1 . A method comprising: 
 obtaining a multi-part textual reference associated with a name resolution server, wherein said multipart textual reference comprises at least a first host domain reference and a first resource location reference;    parsing said multi-part textual reference to dynamically generate a multi-part canonical name comprising a first part comprising a second resource location reference, and a second part comprising a second host domain name; and,    resolving said canonical name into a numerical address.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said multi-part textual address further comprises at least two dot-separated text strings.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said obtaining said multi-part textual reference further comprises making a request to a root domain name server to resolve a domain name.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first host domain name appears as a sub-domain in said multi-part textual reference.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first resource location reference further comprises at least one text string.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first host domain reference and said second host domain reference are identical.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first host domain reference and said second host domain reference are different.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first resource location reference and said second resource location reference are identical.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first resource location reference and said second resource location reference are different.  
   
   
       10 . A method for registering a name resolution server reference comprising: 
 obtaining a textual reference comprising at least two parts, wherein said at least two parts comprises a first part indicating a network location, and a second part indicating a host domain name, said second part being a sub-domain part reference in said textual reference;    registering said textual reference with a central authority; and    registering a numerical address with said central authority in association with said textual reference.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said textual reference further comprises a third part indicating a registered domain name.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said textual reference further comprises a reference to a domain name resolution server.  
   
   
       13 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a request for a resource located on a resource server, wherein said request comprises access to said resource on a domain name;    obtaining a dynamically generated multi-part canonical name from a name resolution server; and    obtaining an access location to said resource by parsing said dynamically generated multi-part canonical name.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said resource comprises at least one data file.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said receiving said request comprises establishing a network connection with a client requesting said resource.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said request further comprises a domain name.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said obtaining a dynamically generated multi-part canonical name further comprises submitting said domain name to said name resolution server.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said access location further comprises a storage location.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said access location further comprises a network storage location.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said access location further comprises a data storage device.