Patent ID: 7111006

Claim:
A database system comprising: a communication network; a plurality of client applications coupled to the network and generating database access requests; a set comprising two or more intermediary servers coupled to the network to receive the requests wherein the set comprises at least a first computer located logically close to the client application and configured to receive the database access requests and a second computer located logically close to the data storage mechanism and configure to communicate with the interface of the data storage mechanism; an enhanced communication channel between the first and second computers, wherein the enhanced communication channel provides at least one of improved quality of service, lower latency, prioritization services, and higher security transport relative to a basic transport mechanism defined for data transport on the communication network; a data storage mechanism coupled to the network at topological position with respect to the client applications that is unique from a topological position of the intermediary servers, and having an interface for communicating with the intermediary servers; means within the at least one intermediary server responsive to a received database access request for establishing a channel with the data storage mechanism to obtain data from the data storage mechanism in response to a received client request; and means within the at least one intermediary server for formatting the obtained data in a manner suitable for use by one of the client applications that requested the associated database access.