Packet redirection and message stream management
First Claim
1. A method of operating a stream manager in a packet network environment, comprising the steps of:
- a. receiving over the packet network at the stream manager a message initiated by a user, said message included in a DNS-originated packet comprising a first address for the stream manager and a second address for a destination site;
b. determining the availability of a plurality of destination servers at the destination site to receive and process the message; and
c. if at least two of the plurality of destination servers at the destination site are available to receive and process the message;
i selecting a destination server from the at least two available destination servers; and
ii initiating the routing of the message to the selected destination server.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A stream manager provides a way of redirecting and managing messaging and information access in a packet network environment. The stream manager can include a computer-based router or server that behaves as if it were a gateway for a sub-network of destination site servers, and the stream manager is linked to a packet network, such as the Internet. The stream manager receives over the packet network a message from a user'"'"'s host server initiated by a user and intended for a destination site. The message bears an address for the stream manager which is provided to the host server by the address server for the packet network, such as a server utilized as part of the domain name system. The stream manager determines the availability of at least one destination server at the destination site to receive and process the message. If a destination server at the destination site is available to receive and process the message, the stream manager selects a destination server from those available, and initiates the routing of the message to the selected destination server. If a destination site is unavailable, the stream manager may report that to the host server, along with other information (such as customer care or promotional information).
-
Citations
74 Claims
-
1. A method of operating a stream manager in a packet network environment, comprising the steps of:
-
a. receiving over the packet network at the stream manager a message initiated by a user, said message included in a DNS-originated packet comprising a first address for the stream manager and a second address for a destination site;
b. determining the availability of a plurality of destination servers at the destination site to receive and process the message; and
c. if at least two of the plurality of destination servers at the destination site are available to receive and process the message;
i selecting a destination server from the at least two available destination servers; and
ii initiating the routing of the message to the selected destination server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A method of operating a stream manager in an environment having a plurality of packet networks, comprising the steps of:
-
a. receiving at the stream manager, over one of the plurality of packet networks, a message initiated by a user, said message included in a DNS-originated packet comprising a first address for the stream manager and a second address for a destination site;
b. determining the availability of a plurality of destination servers at the destination site to receive and process the message;
c. if at least two of the plurality of destination servers are available;
i selecting a destination server from the at least two available destination servers;
ii determining from the plurality of packet networks a packet network over which the message should be routed to the destination server; and
iii routing the message to the selected destination server over the determined packet network. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
-
-
38. A stream manager that operates in a packet network environment, comprising:
-
a. a communications interface compatible with the packet network; and
b. a processor, wherein said processor is programmed to execute the steps of;
i receiving at the stream manager, over the packet network, a message initiated by a user, said message included in a DNS-originated packet comprising a first address for the stream manager and a second address for a destination site;
ii determining the availability of a plurality of destination servers at the destination site to receive and process the message; and
iii if at least two of the plurality of destination servers at the destination site is available to receive and process the message;
(a) selecting a destination server from the at least two available destination servers; and
(b) initiating the routing of the message to the selected destination server. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
-
-
60. A stream manager that operates in an environment having a plurality of packet networks, comprising:
-
a. a communications interface compatible with the packet network; and
b. a processor, wherein said processor is programmed to execute the steps of;
i receiving at the stream manager, over one of the plurality of packet networks, a message initiated by a user, said message included in a DNS-originated packet comprising a first address for the stream manager and a second address for a destination site;
ii determining the availability of a plurality of destination servers at the destination site to receive and process the message; and
iii if at least two of the plurality of destination servers are available;
(a) selecting a destination server from the at least two available destination servers;
(b) determining from the plurality of packet networks a packet network over which the message should be routed to the destination server; and
(c) routing the message to the selected destination server over the determined packet network. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70)
-
-
71. A stream manager that operates in a packet network environment, comprising:
-
a. a communications interface compatible with the packet network;
b. a network internal to the stream manager;
c. a plurality of stream manager servers coupled to the internal network; and
d. a gateway coupled to the internal network, said gateway comprising a processor programmed to execute the steps of;
i receiving at the stream manager, over the packet network, a message initiated by a user, said message included in a DNS-originated packet comprising a first address for the stream manager and a second address for a destination site;
ii selecting one server from the plurality of stream manager servers to handle the message; and
iii forwarding the message to the selected stream manager server. - View Dependent Claims (72)
-
-
73. A stream manager that operates in an environment having a plurality of packet networks, comprising:
-
a. a communications interface compatible with a least one of the plurality of packet networks;
b. a network internal to the stream manager;
c. a plurality of stream manager servers coupled to the internal network; and
d. a gateway coupled to the internal network, said gateway comprising a processor programmed to execute the steps of;
i receiving, at the stream manager, over one of the plurality of packet networks, a message initiated by a user, said message included in a DNS-originated packet comprising a first address for the stream manager and a second address for a destination site;
ii selecting one server from the plurality of stream manager servers to handle the message; and
iii forwarding the message to the selected stream manager server. - View Dependent Claims (74)
-
Specification