Patent ID: 7383326
Filing Date: 2008-06-03
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of directing a client computer to a network location, comprising: at the client computer, contacting a first network location associated with a configuration server to obtain configuration files that identify an address of a second network location that provides a first service, wherein the configuration files are mark-up language files that identify the address of the second network location that provides the first service; storing the obtained configuration files on the client computer; generating a built configuration file on the client computer, wherein generating the built configuration file on the client computer includes: detecting whether an override address that is stored in a system registry on the client computer is present, wherein the override address provides an address for a third network location for the first service, wherein detecting whether an override address is present further comprises performing various logical operations that filter the overrides and determines whether an override address is present for at least one member of a group comprising: a current application and a current user, a current user for applications in general, a current applications for users in general, and applications and users in general; comparing the third network location to a list of valid network locations; storing the override address in the built configuration file when the override address is stored on the client computer and is included in the list of valid network locations; storing the address of the second network location of the obtained configuration file when the override address is at least one member of a group comprising: not stored on the client computer and not included in the list of valid network locations; receiving, on the client computer, a request for the first service; and accessing the built configuration file, wherein the built configuration file causes the client to communicate with the third network location, when the override address is stored in the built configuration file, and wherein the built configuration file causes the client to communicate with the second network location, when the address of the second network location is stored in the built configuration file.