Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for integrating a rate shaping class analysis with a load balancing decision across multiple network links to improve traffic management decisions. For each of the available multiple network links, a determination is made as to how much bandwidth is available to each class associated with that network link. When a request for a connection is received, the request's class is determined. A load balancing decision is based on the available bandwidths for the determined class for the request. The invention may also integrate other Quality of Service metrics into the load balancing decision, including link type, failure rates, or the like.

Abstract: Distributing network traffic to multiple traffic management devices. A distributor receives packets from a network and may act as a layer 2 switch or router, to distribute the packet to one of a group of traffic management devices. The distributor may receive packets from servers that the traffic management devices are managing communications to. When distributing packets to traffic management devices, information may be used to determine which traffic management device each packet should be sent to. The distributor causes packets in a flow to be delivered to the same traffic management device. Many configurations are possible for connecting the distributor to the traffic management devices, including connecting each traffic management device to a physical or virtual port on the distributor, connecting the traffic management devices to the distributor using a virtual local area network, and connecting the traffic management devices to a layer 2 switch.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for managing routing to redundant data centers. Each data center has an associated traffic management device (TMD) that manages traffic with at least one server. The TMDs may determine a priority for the data centers, and advertise that priority, along with other configuration information, to at least one designated router. The configuration information includes a Virtual Internet Protocol (VIP) address that is identical for each of the TMDs. Based on the advertised priorities the designated router routes network traffic to at least one of the data centers. Each TMD monitors a variety of criteria to determine if it is appropriate to change the priority of its associated data center to the designated router. If a data center's priority changes, the associated TMD advertises the change to the designated router, enabling it to dynamically update its routing tables to direct traffic towards a different data center.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting and examining Cookies in the data streams of HTTP connections for the purpose of persistently directing HTTP connections to the same destination. A network device directs subsequent HTTP connections from the same client to the same server (destination) for accessing the requested resources. There are four modes for employing the Cookie to persistently direct HTTP connections. The associated mode inserts a Cookie that uniquely identifies the client into an HTTP response. The passive mode inserts Cookie information that uniquely identifies a previously selected destination into an HTTP response. In the rewrite mode, a network device manages the destination information that is rewritten over blank Cookie information generated by the destination producing the HTTP response. The insert mode inserts and removes Cookie information in the data packets for HTTP requests and response prior to processing by the destination.

Abstract: A system and method for performing asynchronous cryptographic operations. A cryptographic toolkit receives requests for cryptographic operations, and initiates the cryptographic operations within a thread of execution. The toolkit detects when the cryptographic operations are complete, retrieves the results, and returns the results to a calling program. The cryptographic operations are performed in an asynchronous manner, without blocking a calling program. The calling program can specify whether the requested operations are to be performed without blocking.

Abstract: A method and system is directed to distributing a flow of packets over a network to multiple traffic management devices. An apparatus receives each packet from a network and may act as a layer 2 switch, or router, to distribute the packet to one of a group of traffic management devices. The apparatus also may receive packets from servers for which the traffic management devices are managing communications. When distributing packets, a target traffic management device is selected from the group of traffic management devices. A connection key associated with the received packet and an identifier associated with the selected traffic management device are saved such that subsequent received packets in the flow of packets are delivered to the same traffic management device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting and examining Cookies in the data streams of HTTP connections for the purpose of persistently directing HTTP connections to the same destination. A network device directs subsequent HTTP connections from the same client to the same server (destination) for accessing the requested resources. There are four modes for employing the Cookie to persistently direct HTTP connections. The associated mode inserts a Cookie that uniquely identifies the client into an HTTP response. The passive mode inserts Cookie information that uniquely identifies a previously selected destination into an HTTP response. In the rewrite mode, a network device manages the destination information that is rewritten over blank Cookie information generated by the destination producing the HTTP response. The insert mode inserts and removes Cookie information in the data packets for HTTP requests and response prior to processing by the destination.

Abstract: A system for distributing network traffic to multiple traffic management devices. A distributor receives each packet from a network and may act as a layer 2 switch, a router, or distribute the packet to one of a group of traffic management devices. The distributor may receive packets from servers that the traffic management devices are managing communications to. When distributing packets to traffic management devices, information such as source and destination addresses may be used to determine which traffic management device each packet should be sent to. The distributor causes packets that are part of a flow to be delivered to the same traffic management device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting and examining Cookies in the data streams of HTTP connections for the purpose of persistently directing HTTP connections to the same destination. A network device directs subsequent HTTP connections from the same client to the same server (destination) for accessing the requested resources. There are four modes for employing the Cookie to persistently direct HTTP connections. The associated mode inserts a Cookie that uniquely identifies the client into an HTTP response. The passive mode inserts Cookie information that uniquely identifies a previously selected destination into an HTTP response. In the rewrite mode, a network device manages the destination information that is rewritten over blank Cookie information generated by the destination producing the HTTP response. The insert mode inserts and removes Cookie information in the data packets for HTTP requests and response prior to processing by the destination.

Abstract: A method and system for inserting and examining encrypted identification information in the data streams of application level connections for the purpose of persistently directing application connections to the same destination. The invention enables a network device to direct subsequent application level connections from the same client to the same server (destination) for accessing the requested resources. There are four modes for employing the encrypted information to persistently direct application level connections. The associative mode inserts information that uniquely identifies the client into a response. The passive mode inserts information that uniquely identifies a previously selected destination into a response. In the rewrite mode, a network device manages the destination information that is rewritten over blank information generated by the destination producing the response.

Abstract: A method and system for inserting and examining Cookies in the data streams of HTTP connections for the purpose of persistently directing HTTP connections to the same destination. The invention enables a network device to direct subsequent HTTP connections from the same client to the same server (destination) for accessing the requested resources. There are four modes for employing the Cookie to persistently direct HTTP connections. The associative mode inserts a Cookie that uniquely identifies the client into an HTTP response. The passive mode inserts Cookie information that uniquely identifies a previously selected destination into an HTTP response. In the rewrite mode, a network device manages the destination information that is rewritten over blank Cookie information generated by the destination producing the HTTP response. The insert mode inserts and removes Cookie information in the data packets for HTTP requests and responses prior to processing by the destination.

Abstract: A method and system for inserting and examining Cookies in the data streams of HTTP connections for the purpose of persistently directing HTTP connections to the same destination. The invention enables a network device to direct subsequent HTTP connections from the same client to the same server (destination) for accessing the requested resources. There are four modes for employing the Cookie to persistently direct HTTP connections. The associative mode inserts a Cookie that uniquely identifies the client into an HTTP response. The passive mode inserts Cookie information that uniquely identifies a previously selected destination into an HTTP response. In the rewrite mode, a network device manages the destination information that is rewritten over blank Cookie information generated by the destination producing the HTTP response. The insert mode inserts and removes Cookie information in the data packets for HTTP requests and responses prior to processing by the destination.

Abstract: A method and system for inserting and examining Cookies in the data streams of HTTP connections for the purpose of persistently directing HTTP connections to the same destination. The present invention enables a network transmission device, e.g., a router or controller, to reliably and efficiently direct subsequent HTTP connections from the same client to the same server (destination) for accessing the requested resources. There are four modes for employing the Cookie to persistently direct HTTP connections. The associative mode inserts a Cookie into an HTTP response that uniquely identifies the client so that when a client's subsequent HTTP request is compared to a table, the HTTP request will be routed to a previously selected destination associated with the client.

Abstract: A method and system for inserting and examining Cookies in the data streams of HTTP connections for the purpose of persistently directing HTTP connections to the same destination. The invention enables a network device to direct subsequent HTTP connections from the same client to the same server (destination) for accessing the requested resources. There are four modes for employing the Cookie to persistently direct HTTP connections. The associative mode inserts a Cookie that uniquely identifies the client into an HTTP response. The passive mode inserts Cookie information that uniquely identifies a previously selected destination into an HTTP response. In the rewrite mode, a network device manages the destination information that is rewritten over blank Cookie information generated by the destination producing the HTTP response. The insert mode inserts and removes Cookie information in the data packets for HTTP requests and responses prior to processing by the destination.

Abstract: A method and system for inserting and examining Cookies in the data streams of HTTP connections for the purpose of persistently directing HTTP connections to the same destination. The present invention enables a network transmission device, e.g., a router or controller, to reliably and efficiently direct subsequent HTTP connections from the same client to the same server (destination) for accessing the requested resources. There are four modes for employing the Cookie to persistently direct HTTP connections. The associative mode inserts a Cookie into an HTTP response that uniquely identifies the client so that when a client's subsequent HTTP request is compared to a table, the HTTP request will be routed to a previously selected destination associated with the client.