System and method for processing dns queries

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for high-speed database searching with concurrent updating, without the use of database locks or access controls, for large database systems. Specifically, a plurality of search queries may be received over a network, the database may be searched, and a plurality of search replies may be sent over the network. While searching the database, new information received over the network may be incorporated into the database by creating a new element based on the new information and writing a pointer to the new element to the database using a single uninterruptible operation.

1 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A domain name system comprising:
 a first distribution engine arranged to receive a DNS query, process the DNS query, send a search request based on the DNS query to a selected first DNS look-up engine of a plurality of DNS look-up engines, and receive a response from the selected first DNS look-up engine, the search request including a domain name in the DNS query;   a first database including a first portion of a DNS zone file, the DNS zone file including one or more DNS resource records, at least one resource record including the domain name and an associated internet protocol (IP) address;   the selected first DNS look-up engine of the plurality of look-up engines arranged to receive the search request, search the first database based on the search request, identify the resource record including the domain name and the associated IP address; and send the response including the associated IP address to the first distribution engine.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the search request includes state information. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the response includes the state information. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the state information is included in the DNS query. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein processing of the DNS query includes adding the state information to the search request. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the search request includes a second domain name associated with a second DNS query. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the response includes a second IP address associated with the second domain name. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein processing includes selecting the first DNS look-up engine. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein processing includes determining that the DNS query is valid. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 13  comprising:
 a second database including a second portion of the DNS zone file. 
 
     
     
         23 . A method for processing queries in a domain name system comprising:
 receiving, at a first distribution engine, a DNS query;   processing the DNS query;   sending, from the first distribution engine, a search request based on the DNS query to a selected first DNS look-up engine of a plurality of DNS look-up engines, the search request including a domain name from the DNS query;   storing a first portion of a DNS zone file in a first database, the DNS zone file including one or more DNS resource records, at least one resource record including the domain name and an associated internet protocol (IP) address;   receiving, at the selected first DNS look-up engine of the plurality of look-up engines, the search request;   searching the first database based on the search request;   identify the resource record including the domain name and the associated IP address; and   sending a response including the associated IP address to the first distribution engine.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the search request includes state information. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the response includes the state information. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the state information is included in the DNS query. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the processing of the DNS query includes adding the state information to the search request. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the search request includes a second domain name associated with a second DNS query. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the response includes a second IP address associated with the second domain name. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein processing includes selecting the first DNS look-up engine. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein processing includes determining that the DNS query is valid. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 23  comprising:
 providing a second database including a second portion of the DNS zone file.