Abstract: Techniques for the transparent takeover of network connections are presented. A first server is engaged in a connection with a client. The transactions of the connection and the traffic are monitored by a traffic cache manager. The first server records sequence numbers for the transactions with a synchronization store. If the first server fails, a last recorded sequence number is updated by the traffic cache manager within the synchronization store on behalf of a second server, which is to takeover the connection for the unresponsive first server.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and data stores generate and manage temporarily assigned identities. A requestor issues a request for a service. The request includes an identity used for authenticating the requestor. The identity is used for generating an identity configuration and for generating a temporarily assigned identity that is updated to a protected identity directory. The request and the temporarily assigned identity are transmitted to the service. The service uses the temporarily assigned identity to access the protected identity directory for purposes of authenticating the request. The service uses the authenticated request to access attributes associated with the temporarily assigned identity.

Abstract: A system and a method for transparent takeover (or failover) of a remote client TCP connection from a first server in a cluster of interconnected servers to a second server provides the storing of shared state information relative to the connection on each involved server and using of the shared state information to reestablish the connection on the second server. A message using a sequence number to refer to a previously transmitted data element (such as a byte) is sent by the second server and a received client acknowledgement (ACK) of that sequence number, or a higher one, is used to synchronize the server's data packet transmission sequence number with the ACK-transmitted sequence number. If synchronization is successful, then the connection is restarted on the second server from the point of termination/failure on the first server.

Abstract: A proxy partition cache (PPC) architecture and a technique for address-partitioning a proxy cache consisting of a grouping of discrete, cooperating caches (servers) is provided. Client requests for objects (files) of a given size are redirected or reassigned to a single cache in the grouping, notwithstanding the cache to which the request is made by the load-balancing mechanism (such as a Layer 4 switch) based upon load-balancing considerations. The file is then returned to the switch via the switch-designated cache for vending to the requesting client. The redirection/reassignment occurs according to a function within the cache to which the request is directed so that the switch remains freed from additional tasks that can compromise speed.

Abstract: A proxy partition cache (PPC) architecture and a technique for address-partitioning a proxy cache consisting of a grouping of discrete, cooperating caches (servers) is provided. Client requests for objects (files) of a given size are redirected or reassigned to a single cache in the grouping, notwithstanding the cache to which the request is made by the load-balancing mechanism (such as a Layer 4 switch) based upon load-balancing considerations. The file is then returned to the switch via the switch-designated cache for vending to the requesting client. The redirection/reassignment occurs according to a function within the cache to which the request is directed so that the switch remains freed from additional tasks that can compromise speed.

Abstract: A proxy cache cluster (PCC) couples to a service provider of a communications network to increase the availability of services offered by the provider to clients connected to the network. The clients access the services by issuing requests to network addresses associated with these services. The PCC increases the availability of the services by receiving and servicing those requests on behalf of the service provider in accordance with a proxy cache clustering technique.