High availability web browser access to servers
First Claim
1. A method of communication in a computer network comprising at least one client, a plurality of servers, and a nameserver, where in response to a request issued from the browser, a list of server addresses is returned from the nameserver, the method operative in the client and, comprising the steps of:
- favoring a given server address over other server addresses in the list based on a given policy;
attempting to establish a connection from the client machine to a server identified by the given server address;
if, during a timeout period, the connection to the server identified by the given server address cannot be established, restricting use of the given server address for a given time period; and
attempting to establish a connection from the client machine to a second server identified by at least one of the other server addresses in the list.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
One or more policies are implemented at a Web browser to enhance access to Web servers that host content requested by the browser. When the browser issues a request, a name service returns a list of IP addresses that may service that request. The list is configured as "random" or "ordered" according to a given naming convention or other local policy, and IP addresses are selected from the list at random or in order (as the case may be) until a connection to an appropriate server is obtained. The browser remembers (for a given time period) which IP addresses have failed so that those addresses are not repeatedly tried. The browser'"'"'s "timeout" period is also selectively varied depending on the type of list returned from the name service.
250 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of communication in a computer network comprising at least one client, a plurality of servers, and a nameserver, where in response to a request issued from the browser, a list of server addresses is returned from the nameserver, the method operative in the client and, comprising the steps of:
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favoring a given server address over other server addresses in the list based on a given policy; attempting to establish a connection from the client machine to a server identified by the given server address; if, during a timeout period, the connection to the server identified by the given server address cannot be established, restricting use of the given server address for a given time period; and attempting to establish a connection from the client machine to a second server identified by at least one of the other server addresses in the list. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for use in a Web client connectable in a computer network having a plurality of servers and a name service, comprising:
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means responsive to selection of a hypertext reference for issuing a request to the name service and receiving in return a list of server addresses; means responsive to the issuing means for favoring a given server address over other server addresses in the list based on a given policy; and means for restricting use of a given server address on the list for a given time period. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer for use as a client in a computer network having a plurality of Web servers and a name service, comprising:
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a processor having an operating system; a Web browser including means responsive to selection of a hypertext reference for issuing a request to the name service and receiving in return a list of server addresses; and means associated with the Web browser for enhancing access to the plurality of Web servers, operative in the client and, comprising; means responsive to the issuing means for favoring a given server address over other server addresses in the list based on a given policy; and means for restricting use of a given server address on the list for a given time period. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of enhancing Web browser access to a plurality of servers in a computer network, where in response to a request issued from the Web browser, a list of server addresses is returned from a name service, the method operative in the client and, comprising the steps of:
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biasing a given server address over other server addresses in the list based on a given policy; attempting to establish a connection from the client machine to a server identified by the given server address; and if the connection cannot be established using the given server address, using other server addresses in the list to respond to the request. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of enhancing Web browser access to a plurality of servers in a computer network, where in response to a request issued from the Web browser, a set of server addresses is returned from a name service, the method operative in the client and, comprising the steps of:
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biasing a subset of the server addresses over other server addresses in the set, wherein each of the server addresses in the subset is a duplicate; attempting to establish a connection from the client machine to a server identified by the server addresses in the subset; and if the connection cannot be established, using other server addresses in the set to respond to the request.
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29. A method of enhancing Web browser access to a plurality of servers in a computer network, where in response to a request issued from the Web browser, a list of server addresses is returned from a name service, the method operative in the client and, comprising the steps of:
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biasing a given server address over other server addresses in the list based on a given policy; attempting to establish a connection from the client machine to a server identified by the given server address; and if the connection cannot be establish using the given server address, associating the given server address with a given status and using other server addresses in the list to respond to the request. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of communication in a computer network comprising at least one client, a plurality of servers, and a nameserver, where in response to a request issued from the browser, a list of server addresses is returned from the nameserver, the method operative in the client and, comprising the steps of:
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favoring a given server address over other server addresses in the list based on a given policy; attempting to establish a connection from the client machine to a server identified by the given server address during a timeout period selected as a function of a number of untried server addresses in the list. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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Specification