System and method for processing a request using multiple database units

Software embodied in a computer readable media for processing a request using one or more database units coupled to a network, the software operable to:

• receive a request for a record;
• communicate the request to one or more nodes, wherein one or more of the nodes is operable to provide an interface between one or more associated database units and a network, and wherein one or more of the nodes is operable to communicate with each other;
• identify one or more target database units that store the record;
• access the record, which is stored in one or more of the target database units;
• process the request based on the record that is stored in one or more of the target database units such that a response to the request is generated;
• and
• return the response to the request that is based on the record, which is stored in one or more of the target database units.

A system for processing a request using one or more database units coupled to a network, comprising:

• means for receiving a request for a record;
• means for communicating the request to one or more nodes, wherein one or more of the nodes is operable to provide an interface between one or more associated database units and a network, and wherein one or more of the nodes is operable to communicate with each other;
• means for identifying one or more target database units that store the record;
• means for accessing the record, which is stored in one or more of the target database units;
• means for processing the request based on the record that is stored in one or more of the target database units such that a response to the request is generated;
• and
• means for returning the response to the request that is based on the record that is stored in one or more of the target database units.