Dynamically selection of most efficient transmission medium and route from a client browser

• US 7,039,709 B1
• Filed: 05/31/2000
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Forlenza, Randolph Michael, Brown, Michael Wayne, Rothert, Douglas Scott, Sang, Miguel, Beadle, Bruce A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wiley, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOUTAH, ALINA A
• Application Number:
  US09/584,808
• Time in Patent Office: 2,162 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/227, 709/239, 709/220, 715/700
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/12 Shortest path evaluation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/124 using a combination of metrics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1008 based on parameters of servers, e.g. available memory or workload monitoring of computer activity G06F11/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/101 based on network conditions

Abstract

A method, system and program product for utilization within a client that provides an optimal connection between the client and a network. The method, system and program product provides a graphical user interface for receiving user selection and connection requests and a connection utility for connecting the client system with a selected server of the network. The selected server and connection route is dynamically selected from a plurality of servers in response to the receipt of a connection request, based on a determination of a best route for completing the connection request. The client is provided with multiple connection media and the determination of the best route includes a selection of the connection medium to utilize for the connection. Also, a table of connection information is stored within the client and utilized in evaluating which connection route is optimal.

Claims

1. A method for providing a client with a connection to a network, said method comprising the steps of:

selecting at the client a connection type from among a plurality of connection types including a plurality of independent servers, a plurality of connection media for connection to at least one of said plurality of independent servers, and a server and medium combination; and

in response to a receipt of a connection request, dynamically connecting said client to a selected server of said network based on a determination of an effective route for completing said connection request, given said selected connection type.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting step includes the step of providing a graphical user interface with selectable options for each of said plurality of connection types in response to a user request to configure said client to connect via one or more of said plurality of connection types.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said selecting step includes the steps of:

evaluating historical data about connection types associated with said client; and

selecting an effective server connection based on a connection history of said client and present connection conditions.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said evaluating step includes the step of accessing said connection history from a table of server connection parameters, which are utilized to determine said effective connection route.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said dynamically connecting step includes the step of evaluating said server connection parameters for each of a plurality of servers to determine said effective connection route relative to all other possible routes within said connection type.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said dynamically connecting step further includes the step of encoding routing information about said effective connection route in a connection protocol of said client.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said encoding step includes the step of including a call-back mechanism in said connection protocol, wherein relevant connection information, including one or more of said connection parameters, is returned to said client for updating said table.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said client is equipped with multiple connection media and said dynamically connecting step includes the step of selecting one of said multiple connection media to complete said connection request.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein said selecting step is completed via a GUI and includes the step of selecting said connection type utilizing:

a first set of user selectable buttons representing a plurality of connection media, said buttons having a first display characteristic indicating when a functionality associated with each of said first set of user selectable buttons is presently available, a second display characteristic indicating when said functionality is not available, and a third display characteristic indicating when one of said first set of user selectable buttons has been selected; and

a second set of user selectable buttons representing a user preference for server connections including a default server selection, an override default selection, and an automatic routing selection.

10. A computer program product for utilization within a client for connecting to servers of a network, said program product comprising:

a computer readable medium; and

program code on said computer readable medium, which provides;

an interface for receiving user input and connection requests; and

a connection utility for dynamically connecting said client to one of said servers in response to a connection request, wherein said one of said servers is selected based on a determination of an effective route for completing said connection request.

11. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein program code for said interface further comprises program code for a connection selection interface for receiving user selection of a desired connection type, wherein said desired connection type is selected from a plurality of selection types including a default server connection, a changeable default server connection with a suggestion function for providing an optimal server connection during a later connection, and an effective server connection based on a connection history of said client.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein said program code for said connection utility includes:

program code for managing a connectivity table utilized to record a plurality of connection parameters for each of said servers;

program code for determining said effective route based on said connection parameters;

program code for encoding a connection protocol with said effective route; and

program code for appending a call-back to said connection protocol, whereby connection parameters from a current connection is returned to update said connectivity table.

13. A system for providing a client with a connection to a network, said system comprising:

means for selecting at the client a connection type from a plurality of connection types including a plurality of independent servers, a plurality of connection media for connection to at least one of said plurality of independent servers, and a server and medium combination; and

in response to a receipt of a connection request, means for dynamically connecting said client to a selected server of said network based on a determination of an effective route for completing said connection request, given said selected connection type.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said selecting means includes a graphical user interface with selectable options for each of said plurality of connection types in response to a user request to configure said client with one of said plurality of connection types.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said selecting means includes:

means for evaluating historical data about connection types associated with said client;

and;

means for selecting an effective server connection based on a connection history of said client and present connection conditions.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said evaluating means includes means for accessing said connection history from a table of server connection parameters, which are utilized to determine an effective route.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said dynamically connecting means includes means for evaluating said server connection parameters for each of a plurality of servers to determine said effective connection route relative to all other possible routes within said connection type.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said dynamically connecting means further includes means for encoding routing information about said effective connection route in a connection protocol of said client.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said encoding means includes means for including a call-back mechanism in said connection protocol, wherein relevant connection information, including one or more of said connection parameters, is returned to said client for updating said table.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein said client is equipped with multiple connection media and said dynamically connecting means includes means for selecting one of said multiple connection media to complete said connection request.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein said selecting means includes a GUI having:

a first set of user selectable buttons representing a plurality of connection media, said buttons having a first display characteristic indicating when a functionality associated with each of said first set of user selectable buttons is presently available, a second display characteristic indicating when said functionality is not available, and a third display characteristic indicating when one of said first set of user selectable buttons has been selected; and

a second set of user selectable buttons representing a user preference for server connections including a default server selection, an override default selection, and an automatic routing selection.

22. A computer program product for providing a client with a connection to a network, said program product comprising:

a computer readable medium;

program instructions stored on said computer readable medium for;

enabling client selection of a connection type from a plurality of connection types including a plurality of independent servers, a plurality of connection media for connection to at least one of said plurality of independent servers, and a server and medium combination; and

in response to a receipt of a connection request, dynamically connecting said client to a selected server of said network based on a determination of an effective route for completing said connection request, given said selected connection type.

23. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein said program instructions for said enabling step includes program instructions for providing a graphical user interface with selectable options for each of said plurality of connection types, in response to a user request to configure said client with one of said plurality of connection types.

24. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein said program instructions for said enabling step includes program instructions for:

evaluating historical data about connection types associated with said client; and

selecting an effective server connection based on a connection history of said client and present connection conditions.

25. The computer program product of claim 24, wherein said program instructions for said evaluating step includes program instructions for accessing said connection history from a table of server connection parameters, which are utilized to determine an effective connection route.

26. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein said program instructions for said dynamically connecting step further includes program instructions for encoding routing information about said effective connection route in a connection protocol of said client.

27. The computer program product of claim 26, wherein said encoding means includes means for including a call-back mechanism in said connection protocol, wherein relevant connection information, including one or more of said connection parameters, is returned to said client for updating said table.

28. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein said client is equipped with multiple connection media and said program instructions for said dynamically connecting steps includes program instructions for selecting one of said multiple connection media, which provides the effective connection route, to complete said connection request.

29. The computer program product of claim 22, further comprising program instructions for providing a graphical user interface of a browser application, comprising:

a first set of user selectable buttons representing a plurality of connection media, said buttons having a first display characteristic indicating when a functionality associated with each of said first set of user selectable buttons is presently available, a second display characteristic indicating when said functionality is not available, and a third display characteristic indicating when one of said first set of user selectable buttons has been selected; and

a second set of user selectable buttons representing a user preference for server connections including a default server selection, an override default selection, and an automatic routing selection.