Patent ID: 6457053
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
In a network comprising a plurality of servers, a system for allocating unique identifiers, comprising:a first server operating in a role of a pool server with exclusive authority for allocating pools of unique identifiers to other servers in the network, said first server having stored thereon a first data object identifying said first server as operating in the role of a pool server and a second data object identifying a list of unallocated unique identifiers; a second server in communication with the first server, the second server requesting a pool of unique identifiers from the first server and allocating unique identifiers out of the pool; and at least a third server operable to request transfer of the role of pool server from the first server to the third server, wherein in response to the request from said third server, said first server updates said first data object on said first server to identify said third server as performing the role of a pool server, and said third server stores on said third server a value for said first data object identifying said third server as performing the role of a pool server, and said third server stores on said third server a value for said second data object equivalent to the value of said second data object on said first server when said first server updated said first object to identify said third server as performing the role of a pool server.