Abstract: The invention includes a method for selecting a replicated node from a domain of replicated nodes in a computer network. The method comprises maintaining a list of the replicated nodes; receiving a name resolution request to resolve a name for the domain into a network address; selecting one of the replicated nodes based on predefined selection criteria and in response to the name resolution request; and sending a network address of the selected replicated node to a network address associated with the name resolution request.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating relative network proximity between request routing agents and client agents are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes a proximity estimation unit to send a first number of probe messages to a client agent without waiting to receive a reply message, wherein the proximity estimation unit is to receive a first set of reply messages. The apparatus also including a proximity verification unit coupled with the proximity estimation unit, to send a second number of probe messages to the client agent, and to receive a second set of reply messages.

Abstract: The invention provides for managing information for multiple devices. Each of a set of devices retrieves information from a sequence of servers. A device when starting up reads a list of file names, reads information from each file in sequence, and resolves conflicts among files to present a consistent configuration on each restart of each device. A file includes a sequence of <name, value> pairs. In those cases when two variables have the same name, an operator associated with the second pair indicates whether to overwrite the first value or to edit the first value, such as by appending the second value. One of the pairs indicates the list of file names itself. When the list of file names is changed, the device for which the change is made re-reads the sequence of files and repeats its determination of the pairs, until the list of file names is stabilized.