Patent ID: 7512707
Filing Date: 2009-03-31
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for load balancing a server cluster servicing a plurality of distributed applications, said method comprising: receiving a request at said server cluster from one of a plurality of clients to connect to one of said plurality of distributed applications, wherein said request includes an identifier of said one of said plurality of distributed applications; calculating a priority code at each one of a plurality of servers of said server cluster using said identifier, wherein said each one of said plurality of servers calculates its own said priority code; hashing said identifier into a unique number; normalizing said unique number to result in a number within the range of a plurality of node numbers labeling each of said plurality of servers; comparing said resulting number to each of said plurality of node numbers; and responsive to said comparing, identifying preferred ones of said plurality of servers, wherein said preferred ones have one of said plurality of node numbers that match said resulting number; transmitting said priority codes and identification of said preferred ones to said one of said plurality of clients; and connecting a selected one of said plurality of servers to said one of said plurality of clients, wherein said selection is made by said one of said plurality of clients based upon an evaluation by said one of said plurality of clients of said transmitted priority codes.