Patent ID: 7689710

Claim:
In a communication network, a method of TCP state migration comprising the steps of: a) establishing a communication session between a client and a front-end node at a first bottom TCP (BTCP) module located below a first TCP module in a first operating system at said front-end node, said front-end node accessing a plurality of back-end web servers forming a web server cluster that contains content; b) receiving a HTTP request from said client at said first BTCP module; c) parsing said HTTP request to determine which back-end web server, a selected back-end web server, in said plurality of back-end web servers can process said HTTP request, said selected back-end web server not said front-end node; d) extending said communication session to said selected back-end web server by handing-off an initial TCP state of said first BTCP module to said selected back-end web server; e) sending said HTTP request to said selected back-end web server; f) switching a bottom IP (BIP) module at said front-end node to a forwarding mode, wherein packets received at said BIP module from said client are forwarded to said selected back-end web server, said BIP module located below an IP module at said front-end node; and g) terminating said communication session at said front-end node after said HTTP request is fully processed.