Patent ID: 7584262
Filing Date: 2009-09-01
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A system for allocating a resource in a network comprising: multiple network data ports to connect to the network to receive and route requests to servers in the network; first logic coupled to the network data ports for determining if any of a plurality of persistence policies, comprising at least one first persistence policy and at least one second persistence policy, is applicable to a service request from a client in the network, and, if so, allocating the resource to the request based on application of the persistence policy determined to be applicable, wherein the first persistence policy, if applicable, directs the service request to a server, previously or currently connected to the client, that is identified based on content of the service request, the content comprising server, session or cookie information within the service request or corresponding packet at one or more layers corresponding to OSI layers 5-7, and wherein the second persistence policy, if applicable, directs the service request to a server, previously or currently connected to the client, that is identified based on client information within the service request or corresponding packet; the first logic configured so that: when a service request for a content-enabled service, comprising a request for a connection to a server at a layer corresponding to any of OSI layers 5-7, is received, the first logic determines if the at least one first persistence policy is applicable; when a service request for a non-content-enabled service, comprising a request for a connection to a server at a layer corresponding to OSI layer 4, is received, the first logic determines if the at least one second persistence policy is applicable; when the service request for a content-enabled service is received but it is determined that the at least one first persistence policy is inapplicable, the first logic determines if the at least one second persistence policy is applicable; wherein the first logic is shared by and supports service requests for both content-enabled and non-content enabled services; and second logic coupled to the network data ports for allocating the resource to the request based on application of a load balancing policy only if none of the plurality of persistence policies is determined to be applicable as determined by the first logic; wherein, when the service request for a content-enabled service is bound to a server identified through application of a load balancing policy, such request is bound to the server only after multiple persistence policies are checked for applicability; and one or more of the foregoing elements are implemented, embodied, maintained or controlled by one or more processor devices.