Patent ID: 8356106

Claim:
A cache validating SCIT DNS server comprising: a. a cluster of at least three servers, wherein: i. each of the at least three servers uses a DNS mapping cache; ii. the DNS mapping cache is configured to maintain at least one DNS entry; and iii. each of the at least one DNS entry includes a DNS name mapped to a record entry; b. a cache copy configured to maintain an image of the DNS mapping cache; c. a controller configured to manage a state of each of the at least three servers such that at least three of the at least three servers rotate through: i. a live spare state; ii. an exposed state; iii. a quiescent state; and iv. a self-cleansing state; and d. a validation module configured to: i. validate at least one DNS entry using: a. a retrieving module configured to independently retrieve an independent record entry associated with a selected at least one DNS name in at least one of the at least one DNS entry from at least one external DNS resolver; and b. a comparison module configured to compare the independent record entry with the at least one independent record entry associated with the selected at least one DNS name in the cache copy; ii. cause at least one of the at least three servers to cycle into the self-cleansing state periodically independent of a detected validation error; and iii. selectively validates at least one of the at least one DNS entry.