Patent ID: 10819801

Abstract:
A Domain Name System (DNS) name server configured to manage access by client devices to a web server configured to provide access to a target resource, optionally a web application, to client devices over the Internet in a short term data communication session, the DNS name server comprising: a domain name resolver; and a web server session manager; the domain name resolver being configured, in response to receipt from a client device of a DNS query including a domain name generated by a client, the domain name domain name comprising a domain name associated with the address of the web server and a prefix label corresponding to a session identifier (ID) for identifying the client, to: resolve the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the domain name; and pass the session ID for the client to the web server session manager; the session manager being configured, in response to receipt of the session ID from the domain name resolver, to: monitor a status of the web server; apply session management logic to the session ID, the session management logic being configured to determine whether or not to forward the client device to the web server based on one or more of: a monitored capacity of the web server, and information about the client device obtainable from the session ID; and if the logic determines that capacity is available in the web server for the client, cause the DNS name server to send to the client device a DNS reply containing the address of the web server configured to provide the client with access to the target resource.