Dnsmux
Encyclopedia
DnsMuxTM is a computer networking device
manufactured by CAI Networks
, Inc. Its function is to dynamically respond to DNS
questions with the IP address
of one of several geographically disparate web server
s in a logical cluster
that will provide the best performance
for each user. DnsMux makes such performance
decisions based on the relative loading of available web server
s in the cluster
and/or the geographical proximity of web server
s to the user's determined geographical location.
DnsMux is able to not only target users to the appropriate web server
hosting site based on geographical distance (proximity), it is also able to target users based on content-based preferences (affinity). For examples, users located in parts of the world that speak a particular language can be automatically targeted to web server
s that host content in those users' language.
DnsMux provides geographically based fault tolerance/failover
and load balancing
by allowing any of several geographically disparate hosting sites to stand in for each other. DnsMux automatically performs a regular health-check on each web server in a cluster
to determine both availability
and performance
characteristics. DnsMux is able to automatically make proximity-based targeting decisions, while affinity-based decisions require configuration.
DnsMux can be used in combination with CAI Networks
' WebMux
network appliance to provide both geographically based and LAN-based load balancing
and fault tolerance.
Computer networking device
'Computer networking devices are units that mediate data in a computer network. Computer networking devices are also called network equipment, Intermediate Systems or InterWorking Unit...
manufactured by CAI Networks
CAI Networks
CAI Networks, Inc. is a privately held company providing network products for e-commerce, government, and IT industries. It was established in 1998 and since January 2000 is based in Santa Ana, California. It has engineering offices in the USA, UK, Taiwan, and China. It has thousands customers in...
, Inc. Its function is to dynamically respond to DNS
Domain name system
The Domain Name System is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities...
questions with the IP address
IP address
An Internet Protocol address is a numerical label assigned to each device participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing...
of one of several geographically disparate web server
Web server
Web server can refer to either the hardware or the software that helps to deliver content that can be accessed through the Internet....
s in a logical cluster
Cluster (computing)
A computer cluster is a group of linked computers, working together closely thus in many respects forming a single computer. The components of a cluster are commonly, but not always, connected to each other through fast local area networks...
that will provide the best performance
Performance
A performance, in performing arts, generally comprises an event in which a performer or group of performers behave in a particular way for another group of people, the audience. Choral music and ballet are examples. Usually the performers participate in rehearsals beforehand. Afterwards audience...
for each user. DnsMux makes such performance
Performance
A performance, in performing arts, generally comprises an event in which a performer or group of performers behave in a particular way for another group of people, the audience. Choral music and ballet are examples. Usually the performers participate in rehearsals beforehand. Afterwards audience...
decisions based on the relative loading of available web server
Web server
Web server can refer to either the hardware or the software that helps to deliver content that can be accessed through the Internet....
s in the cluster
Cluster (computing)
A computer cluster is a group of linked computers, working together closely thus in many respects forming a single computer. The components of a cluster are commonly, but not always, connected to each other through fast local area networks...
and/or the geographical proximity of web server
Web server
Web server can refer to either the hardware or the software that helps to deliver content that can be accessed through the Internet....
s to the user's determined geographical location.
DnsMux is able to not only target users to the appropriate web server
Web server
Web server can refer to either the hardware or the software that helps to deliver content that can be accessed through the Internet....
hosting site based on geographical distance (proximity), it is also able to target users based on content-based preferences (affinity). For examples, users located in parts of the world that speak a particular language can be automatically targeted to web server
Web server
Web server can refer to either the hardware or the software that helps to deliver content that can be accessed through the Internet....
s that host content in those users' language.
DnsMux provides geographically based fault tolerance/failover
Failover
In computing, failover is automatic switching to a redundant or standby computer server, system, or network upon the failure or abnormal termination of the previously active application, server, system, or network...
and load balancing
Load balancing (computing)
Load balancing is a computer networking methodology to distribute workload across multiple computers or a computer cluster, network links, central processing units, disk drives, or other resources, to achieve optimal resource utilization, maximize throughput, minimize response time, and avoid...
by allowing any of several geographically disparate hosting sites to stand in for each other. DnsMux automatically performs a regular health-check on each web server in a cluster
Cluster (computing)
A computer cluster is a group of linked computers, working together closely thus in many respects forming a single computer. The components of a cluster are commonly, but not always, connected to each other through fast local area networks...
to determine both availability
Availability
In telecommunications and reliability theory, the term availability has the following meanings:* The degree to which a system, subsystem, or equipment is in a specified operable and committable state at the start of a mission, when the mission is called for at an unknown, i.e., a random, time...
and performance
Performance
A performance, in performing arts, generally comprises an event in which a performer or group of performers behave in a particular way for another group of people, the audience. Choral music and ballet are examples. Usually the performers participate in rehearsals beforehand. Afterwards audience...
characteristics. DnsMux is able to automatically make proximity-based targeting decisions, while affinity-based decisions require configuration.
DnsMux can be used in combination with CAI Networks
CAI Networks
CAI Networks, Inc. is a privately held company providing network products for e-commerce, government, and IT industries. It was established in 1998 and since January 2000 is based in Santa Ana, California. It has engineering offices in the USA, UK, Taiwan, and China. It has thousands customers in...
' WebMux
WebMux
WebMuxTM is a computer networking device manufactured by CAI Networks, Inc. Its function is to direct network packets based on OSI layer 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 protocols to multiple network servers, accomplishing both fault tolerance and high availability in hosting websites and web-based...
network appliance to provide both geographically based and LAN-based load balancing
Load balancing (computing)
Load balancing is a computer networking methodology to distribute workload across multiple computers or a computer cluster, network links, central processing units, disk drives, or other resources, to achieve optimal resource utilization, maximize throughput, minimize response time, and avoid...
and fault tolerance.