Cache sharing among branch proxy servers via a master proxy server at a data center

Abstract

A method, system and computer program product for cache sharing among branch proxy servers. A branch proxy sever receives a request for accessing a resource at a data center. The branch proxy server creates a cache entry in its cache to store the requested resource if the branch proxy server does not store the requested resource. Upon creating the cache entry, the branch proxy server sends the cache entry to a master proxy server at the data center to transfer ownership of the cache entry if the master proxy server did not store the resource in its cache. When the resource becomes invalid or expired, the master proxy server informs the appropriate branch proxy servers storing the resource to purge the cache entry containing this resource. In this manner, the master proxy server ensures that the cached resource is synchronized across the branch proxy servers storing this resource.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to data network configurations in business environments, and more particularly to cache sharing among branch proxy servers in branch offices via a master proxy server at a data center.BACKGROUND[0002]A data network configuration implemented in business environments typically involves centralizing data storage at a data center and providing this data (e.g., via a server at the data center) to a plurality of client computing devices over a wide area network (e.g., Internet). These client computing devices (“clients”) may be located at “branch offices” of the company, such as in the retail, banking, and airline industry. In each branch office, client computing devices may be interconnected to each other using a local area network (LAN). Applications running on the client devices may require data from the data center, such as records, files, merchandising data, etc. However, the interconnection between the branch office and the data cen...

Images