Arrangement for load sharing in computer networks

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for load sharing in computer networks and, more exactly, an arrangement for distribution of traffic, for instance via Internet, from clients (1) to service suppliers who provide services from many servers. The invention makes possible distribution to one of a number of replicated servers. Suitable server is selected for instance on basis of available resources at the interface of the server, or less delay in the transmission. The invention results in better performance and reduced traffic by distribution of the traffic geographically and from a resource point of view. According to the invention, a number of replicated servers (5A-5E) belong to an anycast-group and each anycast-group is connected to a domain name server (2) which has the ability to select one of the replicated servers, so that a router (4) can establish a connection between the selected server and the service-requesting client computer. Each replicated server (5A-5E) can transmit a resource advertisement which contains information about available resources at the server in question, and about the link parameters of the server.

Description

[0001]This application is a reissue application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 424,872 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,687,731), which is a National Stage Entry of PCT / SE98 / 01085, filed on Jun. 8, 1998, which claims foreign priority to SE 9702239, filed Jun. 12, 1997, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to an arrangement for load sharing in computer networks, and more exactly, an arrangement for distribution of traffic, for instance via Internet, from clients to the service suppliers who provide services from a multiple of servers. The invention makes possible distribution to a number of replicated servers. Suitable server is selected, for instance, on basis or available resources at the server's interface or on less delay in the connection. The invention results in better performance and reduced traffic by distribution of the traffic geographically and from a resource point of vie...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention offers the advantage of lower delay and higher performance for end users. It reduces the number of servers needed and makes it easy to add or subtract servers without interrupting services in progress. This results in lower investment and managing costs for the network operator and service supplier while providing higher performance for the end user. The end user is not aware of the multiple servers providing the same service. The invention also offers cost-efficient solutions which can be configured automatically and are transparent to the user. It enables step by step expansion of servers and adapts capacity according to need. The invention reduces potential time delays and routes traffic to the least loaded server.

Problems solved by technology

One problem is that some servers always are more loaded than others, especially because audio- and video file transmissions in real time are becoming more and more popular.

This results in congestions in the networks.

In most cases, however, the problem is not lack of capacity but lack of load sharing, i.e. the solution often is to utilize the existing network resources better.

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