Abstract: An intelligent caching router (ICR) balances the cost-saving and functionality-enhancing benefits of the application-service-provider (ASP) model of software delivery against the inherent risks of relying on networked computing. In so doing, the ICR makes the ASP model practical for services that require extremely high levels of reliability and availability. The ICR is inserted functionally between a (thin) client and the network (i.e., Internet, intranet or extranet) and performs certain operations, including the logging of “mission-critical” application state data; network connectivity monitoring; traditional backup routing features; mission-critical server emulation; and server resynchronization upon reconnection. When networking problems are detected, the ICR initially takes steps to try and restore connectivity. In taking such actions, the ICR is largely behaving as a traditional intelligent network router.