Proximity-based redirection system for robust and scalable service-node location in an internetwork

A method of operating a packet-switched network including addressable routers for routing packet traffic, wherein a packet of data is routed from a source node to a destination node based on address fields of the packet, and wherein the packet-switched network includes a redirector coupled to at least one of the addressable routers and at least one service node, the method comprising:

• advertising, to an addressable router coupled to the redirector, reachability to an anycast destination address from the redirector, wherein a packet sent to the anycast destination address can be routed to a plurality of destination nodes;
• accepting a service request from a client at the redirector, wherein the service request is an anycast message to the anycast destination address;
• and
• generating a redirection message directed to the client for redirecting the service request to the at least one service node.

A method of operating a redirector in a packet-switched network including addressable routers for routing packet traffic, wherein a packet of data is routed from a source node to a destination node based on address fields of the packet, the method comprising:

• advertising, to an addressable router coupled to the redirector, reachability to an anycast destination address from the redirector, wherein a packet sent to the anycast destination address can be routed to a plurality of destination nodes;
• accepting a service request from a client, wherein the service request is an anycast message to the anycast destination address;
• determining a selected server for handling the service request, the selected server being one of a plurality of servers that can handle the service request;
• and
• generating a redirection message directed to the client for redirecting the service request to the selected server.

In a packet-switched network including addressable routers for routing packet traffic, wherein a packet of data is routed from a source node to a destination node based on address fields of the packet, an improvement comprising:

• a redirector coupled to at least one of the addressable routers, the redirector including:
• logic for advertising, to the at least one of the addressable routers, reachability for an anycast destination address, wherein a packet sent to the anycast destination address can be routed to a plurality of destination nodes;
• logic for accepting a service request from a client, wherein the service request is an anycast message to the anycast destination address;
• logic for determining a selected server for handling the service request, the selected server being one of a plurality of servers that can handle the service request;
• and
• logic for generating a redirection message directed to the client for redirecting the service request to the selected server.