Transparent Redirection Of Resource Requests

A method for processing resource requests in a computer network, the method comprising:

• providing a repeater server network comprising a plurality of repeater servers;
• by a reflector:
• receiving a request from a client in response to the client requesting a resource;
• analyzing the request to determine whether to direct the client to a repeater server from which to retrieve the resource;
• if the analyzing act determines to direct the request to a repeater server, then causing the client to be provided with an identifier of at least one repeater server in the repeater server network;
• if the analyzing act determines not to direct the request to a repeater server, then causing the client to retrieve the resource from another server distinct from the plurality of repeater servers;
• by the at least one repeater server:
• receiving a second request by the client to serve the resource;
• determining whether a copy of the resource is located on the at least one repeater server;
• and
• if the resource is not located on the at least one repeater server, then obtaining a copy of the resource from another server prior to serving the resource to the client.

A system for processing resource requests in a computer network, the method comprising:

• at least one repeater server;
• and
• a reflector operable to receive requests from clients in response to the clients requesting resources, to analyze each request to determine whether to direct a client to the at least one repeater server from which to retrieve a resource, and if so, then to provide the client with an identifier of the at least one repeater server if the reflector determines to direct a request to a repeater server;
• and
• a table accessible by the reflector and system information for use by the reflector in determining whether to direct a client to a repeater server from which to retrieve a resource.

A method for processing resource requests in a computer network, the method comprising:

• providing at least one repeater server;
• intercepting a resource served from an origin server in response to a request issued by a client and associated with a requested resource, wherein the requested resource comprises a plurality of embedded resources represented by identifiers;
• replacing at least some of the identifiers with alternative identifiers designating the at least one repeater server;
• and
• providing the requested resource with the alternative identifiers to the client.

A system for processing resource requests in a computer network, the method comprising:

• a first server operable to store and serve resources to clients;
• at least one repeater server;
• and
• a reflector operable to intercept requests from clients directed to the first server, to analyze each request to determine whether to direct a client to the at least one repeater server from which to retrieve a resource associated with the request, and if so, then to provide the client with an identifier of at least one repeater server if the reflector determines to direct a request to the at least one repeater server.