Load balancing technique implemented in a data network device utilizing a data cache
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for effecting electronic commerce over a data network, the method comprising:
- receiving an initial block of data from a device;
assigning the initial block of data from the device to a first server of a multi-server system, where load balancing is performed, and which includes at least a second server, with the first server supporting a plurality of products available for purchase from an on-line merchant, with the first server using a first data cache and a database, and with the second server using a second data cache and the database, wherein a session between the device and the first server is initiated;
storing information associated with the session in both the first data cache and the database, the information associated with the session including an identifier for the session;
generating a response to the initial block of data at the first server, with the response including information associated with the session;
transmitting the response to the device;
causing a subsequent block of data received from the device to be routed to the first server, with information related to the subsequent block of data stored in both the first data cache and the database, and with such information being stored as associated with the session, wherein at least a portion of the subsequent block of data is related to purchasing a product from the plurality of products via an electronic shopping cart;
detecting a cache miss with respect to retrieving information associated with the session; and
retrieving information associated with the session from the database into one of the data caches in view of the cache miss for use by the corresponding server.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for implementing a load balanced server system are described which may be used for effecting electronic commerce over a data network. The system comprises a load balancing system and a plurality of servers in communication with the load balancing system. Each of the plurality of servers may include a respective data cache for storing state information relating to client session transactions conducted between the server and a particular client. The load balancing system can be configured to select, using a load balancing protocol, an available first server from the plurality of servers to process an initial packet received from a source device such as, for example, a client machine of a customer. The load balancing system can also configured to route subsequent packets received from the source device to the first server. Before generating its response, the first server may verify that the state information relating to a specific client session stored in the data cache is up-to-date. If the first server determines that the state information stored in the data cache is not up-to-date, then the first server may be configured to retrieve the desired up-to-date state information from a database which is configured to store all state information relating to client sessions which have been initiated with the server system.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A computer-implemented method for effecting electronic commerce over a data network, the method comprising:
-
receiving an initial block of data from a device; assigning the initial block of data from the device to a first server of a multi-server system, where load balancing is performed, and which includes at least a second server, with the first server supporting a plurality of products available for purchase from an on-line merchant, with the first server using a first data cache and a database, and with the second server using a second data cache and the database, wherein a session between the device and the first server is initiated; storing information associated with the session in both the first data cache and the database, the information associated with the session including an identifier for the session; generating a response to the initial block of data at the first server, with the response including information associated with the session; transmitting the response to the device; causing a subsequent block of data received from the device to be routed to the first server, with information related to the subsequent block of data stored in both the first data cache and the database, and with such information being stored as associated with the session, wherein at least a portion of the subsequent block of data is related to purchasing a product from the plurality of products via an electronic shopping cart; detecting a cache miss with respect to retrieving information associated with the session; and retrieving information associated with the session from the database into one of the data caches in view of the cache miss for use by the corresponding server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A computer readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions for effecting electronic commerce over a data network, the plurality of instructions, when executed by a computing device, result in the computing device:
-
receiving an initial block of data from a device; assigning the initial block of data from the device to a first server of a multi-server system, where load balancing is performed, and which includes at least a second server, with the first server supporting a plurality of products available for purchase from an on-line merchant, with the first server using a first data cache and a database, and with the second server using a second data cache and the database, wherein a session between the device and the first server is initiated; storing information associated with the session in both the first data cache and the database, the information associated with the session including an identifier for the session; generating a response to the initial block of data at the first server, with the response including information associated with the session; transmitting the response to the device; causing a subsequent block of data received from the device to be routed to the first server, with information related to the subsequent block of data stored in both the first data cache and the database, and with such information being stored as associated with the session, wherein at least a portion of the subsequent block of data is related to purchasing a product from the plurality of products via an electronic shopping cart; detecting a cache miss with respect to retrieving information associated with the session; and retrieving information associated with the session from the database into one of the data caches in view of the cache miss for use by the corresponding server. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification