Abstract: A method and 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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 9, 2002
Date of Patent:
September 5, 2006
Assignee:
F5 Networks, Inc.
Inventors:
Carlton G. Amdahl, Robert George Gilde, David D. Schmitt, Paul I. Szabo, Richard Roderick Masters
Abstract: A compression system is arranged to use software and/or hardware accelerated compression techniques to increase compression speeds and enhance overall data throughput. A logic circuit is arranged to: receive a data stream from a flow control processor, buffer the data stream, select a hardware compressor (e.g., an ASIC), and forward the data to the selected hardware compressor. Each hardware compressor performs compression on the data (e.g., LZ77), and sends the compressed data back to the logic circuit. The logic circuit receives the compressed data, converts the data to another compressed format (e.g., GZIP), and forwards the converted and compressed data back to the flow control processor. History associated with the data stream can be stored in memory by the flow control processor, or in the logic circuit.
Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for providing persistence across multiple requests in a WAN load-balanced environment. More than one load balancing system may be used to provide persistence while load balancing. One method and system disclosed provides persistence by using modulus arithmetic to load balance requests. Another method and system disclosed provides persistence using topology information contained in the request. Another method and system disclosed provides persistence by storing connection information to refer a timely continuation request of a prior request to the same server the prior request was referred to. When more than one load balancing system is used with this method, the load balancing systems periodically exchange the stored connection information so that each load balancing system may provide persistence to repeat requests.
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: An apparatus is related to connection management for a communications network. A control component receives a data flow requesting a resource from a client, identifies the client, and determines when the data flow is unassociated with a connection to a requested resource. The control component selects a new content server for an unassociated resource request when either the identified client was previously unknown or the identified client has exceeded a maximum number of connections with a previously selected content server. The control component selects the previously selected content server when the identified client has not exceeded the maximum number of connections. A switch component is employed to maintain a connection between the client and the selected content server such that the client receives the requested resource. Utilizing cached connection information for up to “N” connections enhances the speed of connections between the client and the selected content server.
Abstract: A method and system for managing the replication and version synchronization of updates to a set of source files on geographically distributed heterogeneous content servers with minimal impact on a network's bandwidth. The configuration of each content server is either manually entered or automatically determined. The current version of the source files are created on at least one source server. A Primary global server stores a copy of the current version of the set of the source files along with the configuration of each content server. The Primary global server generates and distributes a particular version change container and version distribution list to each remotely located Secondary global server. Each Secondary global server employs the version distribution list and the contents of the version change container to identify the current version of each source file necessary to upgrade the set of source files on each local content server.
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 server array controller that includes a Data Flow Segment (DFS) and at least one Control Segment (CS). The DFS includes the hardware-optimized portion of the controller, while the CS includes the software-optimized portions. The DFS performs most of the repetitive chores including statistics gathering and per-packet policy enforcement (e.g. packet switching). The DFS also performs tasks such as that of a router, a switch, or a routing switch. The CS determines the translation to be performed on each flow of packets, and thus performs high-level control functions and per-flow policy enforcement. Network address translation (NAT) is performed by the combined operation of the CS and DFS. The CS and DFS may be incorporated into one or more separate blocks. The CS and DFS are independently scalable. Additionally, the functionality of either the DFS or the CS may be separately implemented in software and/or hardware.