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Scalable distributed caching system and method

  • US 5,933,849 A
  • Filed: 04/10/1997
  • Issued: 08/03/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for implementing a scalable distributed caching system on a network that receives a request from a user for a data object stored on the network, comprising the steps of:

  • a. storing a copy of a data object on an object cache on the network;

    b. storing a plurality of directory lists on a plurality of directory caches on the network, each said directory list including the network address of a certain object and at least one network address of an object cache on which a copy of the certain object is purportedly stored;

    c. carrying out a locator function on a receiving cache that receives a request for a given object from a user, the request including a network address of the given object, the locator function using the user request as an input and providing a pointer as an output, wherein the pointer indicates a network of a particular directory cache that stores a directory list for the given object;

    d. sending an object request message for the given object from the receiving cache to the particular directory cache whose address is indicated by the pointer;

    e. receiving a directory list for the given object from the particular directory cache, the directory list for the given object including an address of an object cache at which a copy of the given object is purportedly stored;

    f. selecting alpha object cache network addresses from the directory list for the given object;

    g. sending a message from the particular directory cache to each selected object cache, requesting each selected object cache to send a message to the receiving cache indicating if the selected object cache stores a copy of the given object;

    h. sending a message from each selected object cache to the receiving cache indicating if the selected object cache stores a copy of the given object;

    i. identifying a prime object cache as the object cache that sent the first message received by the receiving cache indicating that an object cache stores a copy of the given object; and

    j. sending a message from the receiving cache to the prime object cache requesting that the prime object cache send a copy of the given object to the receiving cache.

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