Aging and scavenging of DNS resource records

The present invention relates to Domain Name Service (DNS) servers and the efficient maintenance of resource records in connection with DNS server operations. More particularly, a system and methods are provided for executing a set of computer-readable instructions for aging and scavenging DNS resource records. A method and system for aging and scavenging resource records in a DNS database is provided. DNS resource records that are stored in a DNS database are assigned the timestamps indicating the last time the records were updated. Clients (owners of the resource records) periodically refresh timestamps of the DNS resource records that they registered using standard dynamic DNS update protocol. The DNS server then periodically searches its database for the stale records and deletes them. DNS database zone parameters and DNS server parameters are configured to define when a timestamp for a resource record may be updated, when a resource record may be scavenged (deleted) and which server may perform scavenging of a zone. A non-refresh interval follows the timestamp, a refresh interval follows the non-refresh interval and a scavengable period follows the refresh interval. During the non-refresh interval, an authorized DNS server may neither refresh nor scavenge the associated resource record. During the refresh interval, an authorized DNS server may refresh, but not scavenge the associated resource record. During the scavengable period, the resource record may be scavenged, if the timestamp is not renewed in the meantime. The build up of stale resource records, or records that have outlived their utility, is thus prevented improving system performance and conserving system memory and resources.