Automated domain name registration

The automated domain name registration (ADNR) application is a function that dynamically updates name servers with information about sysplex resources in near real time. As resources in the sysplex become available, Domain Name System (DNS) resource records are added to one or more name servers. As those resources become unavailable, the corresponding DNS resource records are removed from the name server. Clients that connect to sysplex resources using DNS names have a greater likelihood of connecting to an available resource in the sysplex. ADNR also removes the administrative burden of manually configuring and updating a name server to represent sysplex resources.

The DNS names managed by ADNR can be application-specific names. All instances of the same application within the sysplex can be represented by the same DNS name. Clients can therefore use one DNS name to connect to any available application instance within the sysplex. ADNR can also manage DNS names that map to specific application instances. These names are used when a client wants affinity to one particular application instance.

In addition to application-specific names, ADNR can also manage DNS names that generically represent the entire sysplex, as well as names that represent individual systems within the sysplex.

How connections are distributed within the sysplex is determined by name server and ADNR configuration. Typically, connections are fairly evenly distributed among the available application instances over time. Connections are not load balanced within the sysplex, as they are with load balancing solutions such as sysplex distributor and the z/OS® Load Balancing Advisor.

ADNR supports both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.