Reduction of network server loading
First Claim
1. A method of managing bandwidth usage in a network where electronic mail is retained for retrieval from at least one mail server, the method comprising:
- selecting a time when network bandwidth load is low; and
pushing unretrieved mail messages to a proxy server at the selected time, wherein the pushed mail messages are cached at the proxy server.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Bandwidth loading on the network is managed by pushing e-mail message traffic out to the edges of the network at times when bandwidth demand is low. To accomplish this, a user'"'"'s e-mail is cached at the proxy server nearest to his presumed location. This decentralizes the e-mail storage away from the mail server and spreads it out over the network at the various proxy servers. This cache action is preferably done when there is a lull in network traffic (e.g., at night). This has the effect of decentralizing the bandwidth demand on the overall network since the e-mail messages have a shorter distance to travel when retrieved by the user from the cache location at the proxy server.
21 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of managing bandwidth usage in a network where electronic mail is retained for retrieval from at least one mail server, the method comprising:
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selecting a time when network bandwidth load is low; and
pushing unretrieved mail messages to a proxy server at the selected time, wherein the pushed mail messages are cached at the proxy server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A mail server for use in a network where electronic mail is retained for retrieval from the mail server, the mail server comprising:
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a processor, and a memory including software instructions adapted to enable the proxy server to perform the steps of;
selecting a time when network bandwidth load is low; and
pushing unretrieved mail messages to a proxy server at the selected time, wherein the pushed mail messages are cached at the proxy server. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A network comprising:
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at least one mail server where electronic mail is retained for retrieval by mail clients;
a plurality of proxy servers distributed about the network;
wherein the mail server caches unretreived mail messages at the proxy servers. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A network comprising:
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a mail server where electronic mail is retained for retrieval by mail clients;
a plurality of proxy servers distributed about the network;
wherein the mail server comprises;
a processor, and a memory including software instructions adapted to enable the mail server to perform the steps of;
selecting a time when network bandwidth load is low; and
pushing unretrieved mail messages to a proxy server at the selected time, wherein the pushed mail messages are cached at the proxy server. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification