Patent ID: 8161184

Claim:
A method for implementing a long-lived query (LLQ) at a domain name systems (DNS) server, comprising: from a client at the DNS server, receiving a DNS-formatted message which includes the LLQ that requests information related to one or more data items stored on the DNS server, which involves: receiving a lease life in a LEASE LIFE field in the LLQ that indicates a time in seconds for which the DNS server gratuitously informs the client of updates to the one or more data items without receiving another query from the client; in response to the LLQ, transmitting an initial response to the client with the requested information and granting the LLQ lease life; subsequent to the initial response, in response to changes of the one or more data items, determining whether the LLQ's lease life has expired; and in response to the LLQ's lease life being unexpired, gratuitously informing the client of updates to the one or more data items absent of receiving another query from the client.