Patent ID: 6957251

Claim:
A system for providing a network service to users, comprising: a first data center for providing the network service at a first geographic location, including: first active resources configured for active use; first standby resources configured for standby use in the event that active resources cannot be obtained from another source; first logic for managing access to resources; a second data center for providing the network service at a second geographic location, including: second active resources configured for active use; second standby resources configured for standby use in the event that active resources cannot be obtained from another source; second logic for managing access to resources; wherein the first active resources include the same resources as the second standby resources, and wherein the first standby resources include the same resources as the second active resources, and wherein, the first logic is configured to: assess a needed resource for use by a user coupled to the first data center; determine whether the needed resource is contained within the first active resources or the first standby resources of the first data center; provide the needed resource from the first active resources if the needed resource is contained therein; provide the needed resource from the second active resources of the second data center if the needed resource is contained within the standby resources of the first data center; wherein, the second logic is configured to: assess a needed resource for use by a user coupled to the second data center; determine whether the needed resource is contained with the second active resources or the second standby resources of the second data center; provide the needed resource from the second active resources if the needed resource is contained therein; and provide the needed resource from the first active resources of the first data center if the needed resource is contained within the second standby resources of the second data center; wherein the first active resources and the first standby resources comprise first database content maintained in a first database; and wherein the second active resources and the second standby resources comprise second database content maintained in a second database.