Patent ID: 8239532
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of transmitting information over a network, the method comprising: receiving, at a first network device in a network of devices, a request to obtain a desired resource over the network; determining, by a processor at the first network device, a plurality of network devices each having a common host name and a unique network address, where each network device in said plurality of network devices is adapted to provide the desired resource, and where at least one network device in said plurality of network devices is associated with a rank representing an estimated latency that is determined from one or more prior communications between the first network device and the at least one network device; selecting, at the first network device, an optimal network device from the plurality of network devices, where said optimal network device is selected based upon a rank associated with said optimal network device, and where said rank associated with said optimal network device indicates the greatest relative desirability of said optimal network device relative to other network devices in said plurality of network devices; and, transmitting one or more data packets requesting the desired resource from the first network device to the optimal network device over the network, where said one or more data packets are transmitted based upon the unique network address of the optimal network device.