System and method for providing network services using redundant resources

A method system for providing a network service to users, comprising:

• in a system including first and second data centers located and first and second geographic locations, respectively, coupling a user to the first data center, wherein:
• the first data center includes first active resources configured for active use;
• and first standby resources configured for standby use in the event that active resources cannot be obtained from another source;
• the second data center includes second active resources configured for active use;
• and second standby resources configured for standby use in the event that active resources cannot be obtained from another source;
• assessing a resource needed by the user, defining a needed resource;
• determining whether the needed resource is contained with the first active resources or the first standby resources of the first data center;
• providing the needed resource from the first active resources if the needed resource is contained therein;
• and
• providing the needed resource from the second active resources of the second data center if the needed resource is contained within the standby resources of the first data center,
• wherein the first active resources include the same resources as the second standby resources, and wherein the first standby resources include the same resources as the second active resources.

A system for providing a network service to users via a wide area network, comprising:

• a first data center for providing the network service at a first geographic location, including:
• a first data storage containing a first database;
• a first network access tier including logic for managing a user's access to the first data center;
• a first application tier including application logic for administering the network service;
• and
• a first database tier including logic for managing access to the first database;
• wherein the first database includes:
• first active data resources configured for active use;
• first standby data resources configured for standby use in the event that the needed resources cannot be obtained from another source;
• a second data center for providing the network service at a second geographic location, including:
• a second data storage including a second database;
• a second network access tier including logic for managing a user's access to the second data center;
• a second application tier including application logic for administering the network service;
• and
• a second database tier including logic for managing access to the second database;
• wherein the second database includes:
• second active data resources configured for active use;
• second standby data resources configured for standby use in the event that the needed resources cannot be obtained from another source;
• wherein the first active resources include the same resources as the second standby resources, and wherein the first standby resources include the same resources as the second active resources,
• and wherein, the first data center is configured to:
• assess a needed resource for use by a user coupled to the first data center;
• determine whether the needed resource is contained within the first active resources or the first standby resources of the first data center;
• provide the needed resource from the first active resources if the needed resource is contained therein;
• provide the needed resource from the second active resources of the second data center if the needed resource is contained within the standby resources of the first data center;
• and wherein, the second data center is configured to:
• assess a needed resource for use by a user coupled to the second data center;
• determine whether the needed resource is contained with the second active resources or the second standby resources of the second data center;
• provide the needed resource from the second active resources if the needed resource is contained therein;
• and provide the needed resource from the first active resources of the first data center if the needed resource is contained within the standby resources of the second data center.

A method for providing a network service to users via a wide area network, comprising:

• in a system including first and second data centers located and first and second geographic locations, respectively, coupling a user to the first data center, wherein:
• the first data center includes:
• first active resources configured for active use;
• and first standby resources configured for standby use in the event active resources cannot be obtained from another source;
• the second data center includes:
• second active resources configured for active use;
• and second standby resources configured for standby use in the event active resources cannot be obtained from another source;
• assessing a resource needed by the user, defining a needed resource;
• determine whether the needed resource is contained with the first active resources or the first standby resources of the first data center;
• providing the needed resource from the first active resources if the needed resource is contained therein;
• performing steps (a) and (b) if the needed resource is contained in the first standby resources:
• (a) routing a request for the needed resource to the second data center via an inter-center network;
• (b) providing the needed resource from the second active resources of the second data center;
• wherein the first active resources include the same resources as the second standby resources, and wherein the first standby resources include the same resources as the second active resources.