Simplified method for processing multiple connections from the same client

• US 8,447,871 B1
• Filed: 04/25/2008
• Issued: 05/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: F5 Networks, Inc. (F5 Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: F5 Networks, Inc. (F5 Incorporated)
• Inventors: Szabo, Paul I.
• Primary Examiner(s): WANG, LIANG CHE A
• Application Number:
  US12/110,129
• Time in Patent Office: 1,852 Days
• Field of Search: 709/229, 709/225
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1014 based on the content of a request

Abstract

An apparatus is related to connection management for a communications network. A control component receives a data flow requesting a resource from a client, identifies the client, and determines when the data flow is unassociated with a connection to a requested resource. The control component selects a new content server for an unassociated resource request when either the identified client was previously unknown or the identified client has exceeded a maximum number of connections with a previously selected content server. The control component selects the previously selected content server when the identified client has not exceeded the maximum number of connections. A switch component is employed to maintain a connection between the client and the selected content server such that the client receives the requested resource. Utilizing cached connection information for up to “N” connections enhances the speed of connections between the client and the selected content server.

Claims

1. A traffic management apparatus for directing communications over a network between an identified client and at least one server, the apparatus comprising:

a memory configured to store a data structure containing a plurality data flows along with corresponding flow signatures;

a network interface coupled to the memory, the network interface having a data component configured to receive and transmit network data packets over one or more networks, wherein the network interface receives a resource request from a client, the network interface further configured to;

identify a flow signature associated with the resource request to identify the client; and

access the data structure in the memory and compare at least a portion of the identified flow signature with the flow signatures of other data flows; and

identify a related data flow from the data structure that is related to the data flow of the resource request, the related data flow having an associated routing instruction which causes the network interface to directly;

select an identified server to handle the resource request from the identified client if the number of existing connections between the identified server and the client has not exceeded the predetermined number of allowed connections; and

select a new server to handle the resource request from the identified client if the number of existing connections between the identified server and the identified client exceeds the predetermined number of allowed connections.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a server array controller that includes the action of the data component and control component.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control component is arranged to maintain a connection count that is associated with the number of connections between the identified client and the server selected by the data component, wherein the connection count is amended when a new connection is established between the identified client and the selected content server.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connection count is compared to the preestablished number of resource requests that is associated with the identified client and the identified server.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the connection count is associated with a source address and a destination address, wherein the source address is associated with the identified client and the destination address is associated with the resource request.