Abstract: Apparatus for processing requests from a plurality of connected clients for data stored by a plurality of connected servers comprising a processor, memory, storage, a network interface, and a user input device is disclosed. The processor is configured to receive requests from the connected clients via the network interface, select a connected server to route each requests to, thereby defining a selected server per request, create a connection per request to its selected server using the network interface, route the requests to their selected servers using the connections, and monitor the connections whilst the selected servers service the requests, so as to create monitored connection data for each connection. The monitored connection data is stored in data structures that are referenced by a buffer, and upon creation of a data structure relating to the most recently created connection, reference to the oldest data structure in the buffer is removed.

Abstract: Apparatus for routing requests from a plurality of connected clients to a plurality of connected servers comprises a processor, memory and a network interface. The processor is configured to run a plurality of identical processes, each being for receiving requests and connecting each received request to a server. For each process, the processor is configured to maintain a queue of requests in memory, determine a number of queued requests that may be connected to a server, and attempt to connect this number of queued requests. The processor then accepts further requests, and if the queue is not empty, places the further requests in the queue, and if the queue is empty, attempts to connect the further requests. The processor determines the number of queued requests that may be connected to a server in dependence upon the length of the queues of all the processes and the number of available connections.

Abstract: A traffic management apparatus for connection within a data transmission network is disclosed, that is arranged to manage the distribution of data traffic between data serving computers and the data relaying devices by analysing client requests. The apparatus has an input device (401), a data processing device (402) and an output device (403). The input device (401) is configured to receive electronic mail communications that include body text and one or more original file attachments in the form of executable programs. The processing device selects (803) original file attachments that are executable programs to produce selected file attachments. The processing device adds (805) a textural notice to the body text to the effect that an executable file is included as an attachment. The processing device compresses (806) the selected file attachment to produce compressed file attachments.

Abstract: Data files are supplied to a plurality of requesting stations (102 to 106) by accessing serving devices (109 to 116). A plurality of requests are received for one or more data files at a traffic management system (101) from requesting stations via an external network (107). A specific server is selected at the traffic management system and a request is issued to the selected server over a local network for the requested file. The requested file is accepted at the traffic management system from the selected server over the local network and the requested file is sent from the traffic management system to the requesting station over external network. The response of selected servers is monitored (302) when responding to issued requests thereby generating monitored responses. The monitored responses are compared (303) against an operational criterion to identify sub-standard operations.

Abstract: A system is shown that supplies web pages from servers (109 to 116, 301 to 305) to requesting clients (102 to 106) over the Internet (101). Each server is configured to supply web page data to requesting clients. A traffic manager (120) receives request data from browsing clients and selects one of the serving devices for serving web page data. A data manipulation station (125) manipulates request data or web page data. The traffic manager supplies a function call to the data manipulation station that includes request data or web page data using Internet protocol. The manipulation station manipulates the request data or the web page data to produce manipulated data and the manipulated date is returned to the traffic manager.

Abstract: Failures are tolerated in an environment in which a plurality of traffic management systems are coordinated to manage the supply of data to and from a plurality of clients via a plurality of network addresses. Each functional traffic management system is responsible for at least one network address, and each functional traffic management system periodically transmits a signal to each of the other traffic management systems to confirm functionality. Each of the traffic management systems creates and maintains configuration data that specifies the responsibility of traffic management systems for network addresses dependent upon the status of each of the traffic management systems. Each of the traffic management systems responds to a failure of any of the traffic management systems by taking responsibility for certain network addresses as prescribed by the configuration data.

Abstract: Communication occurs between at least one server and a plurality of clients. Client-side connections are established between a traffic manager and clients, in response to clients making requests to communicate with a server. Server-side connections are created and maintained between the traffic manager and the server in order to service the client requests. At least one of the server-side connections is reused to service a client request.

Abstract: Flow of data traffic between at least one server and a plurality of clients is managed. Client-side connections are provided and server-side connections are provided. An isolated processing environment is created responsive to instructions specific to the environment. Isolated environment specific instructions are received, defining a traffic management rule. A request from a client, via an established client-side connection, is received and a response is made following the environment specific instructions.

Abstract: Failures are tolerated in an environment in which a plurality of traffic management systems are coordinated to manage the supply of data to and from a plurality of clients via a plurality of network addresses. Each functional traffic management system is responsible for at least one network address, and each functional traffic management system periodically transmits a signal to each of the other traffic management systems to confirm functionality. Each of the traffic management systems creates and maintains configuration data that specifies the responsibility of traffic management systems for network addresses dependent upon the status of each of the traffic management systems. Each of the traffic management systems responds to a failure of any of the traffic management systems by taking responsibility for certain network addresses as prescribed by the configuration data.