A method and 
system for improving utilization of the typical DBMS 
client-
server configuration is provided. Specifically, the present invention can include a 
Database Switch (dBSwitch) situated between the applications and 
database servers in a network, capable of dynamically and transparently connecting applications to databases using standard 
database servers and standard protocols. The 
Database Switch appliance performs this 
database routing in real time, with 
high bandwidth and negligible latency. The 
Database Switch enables the formation of a Database 
Area Network (DAN) architecture, which promotes database 
virtualization by integrating the database servers, the shared storage, and the interconnecting network, making them appear to be one large, scalable 
database server. This DAN architecture yields high utilization, 
high availability, 
scalability on demand, simplified management and security, in a shared and heterogeneous application environment.