Customized domain names in a content delivery network

Abstract

A computer-implemented method, operable in a content delivery network (CDN) including a plurality of cache servers and domain name servers. At a cache server in the CDN, a first domain name is obtained, the first domain name being associated with a client request for a resource from the cache server. One or more values associated with the client request are determined and a second domain name is generated, including information from the first domain name and information relating to the one or more values associated with the client request. The second domain name is provided to the client. A domain name server in the CDN obtains a request to resolve a first domain name; extracts one or more keys and one or more corresponding values from the first domain name, and generates a second domain name based on the first domain name, the second domain name excluding information from the first domain name relating to the one or more keys and the one or more values. The name server resolves the second domain name using at least some of the one or more values extracted from the first domain name.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A computer-implemented method, operable in a content delivery network (CDN) comprising a plurality of cache server sites and a domain name system including one or more domain name servers configured to provide domain name resolution, and, the method comprising:
 (A) at a domain name server in the CDN, obtaining a request to resolve a first domain name;   (B) extracting one or more keys and one or more corresponding values from said first domain name;   (C) generating a second domain name based on said first domain name, said second domain name excluding information from said first domain name relating to said one or more keys and said one or more values; and   (D) resolving said second domain name using at least some of the one or more values extracted from the first domain name.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the one or more values associated with the client request include one or more of:
 an network address of a client; 
 a type of device associated with the client; 
 a type of content associated with a client request; 
 an identification of the requested resource; and 
 a data transmission rate. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the network address is an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the client. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the type of device is selected from:
 phone, computer, television, set-top box. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the domain name server in the CDN performs policy-based name resolution using at least some of the one or more values extracted from the first domain name. 
     
     
         16 - 22 . (canceled)