Network service system and method with off-heap caching

A method for providing data over a network using an application server having off-heap caching comprising:

• receiving at an application server coupled to a network a request for requested data;
• using an key index stored on said application server to locate where said requested data is stored in off-heap memory of said application server;
• retrieving said requested data from said off-heap memory of said application server;
• and
• resolving the request.

A method for providing a network service system with off-heap caching comprising:

• providing a plurality of application servers each running an application server process (ASP) having an ASP virtual memory space with ASP heap memory and ASP off-heap memory;
• providing a plurality of cache servers each running a cache server process (CSP) having CSP indices and a cache constructor process (CCP) which is in communication with said CSP process, said CCP process having a CCP virtual memory space with CCP heap memory and CCP off-heap memory, said CSP process providing access to copies of CCP buffers stored in said CCP off-heap memory and to said CSP indices;
• and
• providing a local area network (LAN) router coupling said plurality of application servers to said plurality of cache servers such that an ASP process can store said copies CCP buffers in said ASP off-heap memory and can use said key index to access said ASP buffers.