Patent ID: 6055574
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method of providing a service, through a server with a virtual single network address, on a communication network having a plurality of terminals that obtain said service by generating a request that includes a unique name for said server; said method including the steps of:coupling a correlator to said network which links said name for said server to multiple network addresses;providing multiple computers on said network, each of which performs said service and is assigned a different one of said multiple network addresses; and,incorporating a network address selector on said network which directs any one terminal to a single one of said computers, when said one terminal generates said request for said service, by--a) receiving from said correlator, said multiple network addresses that are linked to said name for said server, b) responding to said request for service from said one terminal by attempting to communicate over said network to said computers with said multiple network addresses, c) selecting a single computers automatically and without human intervention, that communicates successfully with said network address selector in said attempting step, d) providing said one terminal with the network address of the selected computer; and e) establishing a connection from said one terminal to said selected computer by using said network address within said one terminal from said providing step.