Web serving system

A method of serving a requested data file having a dynamic component and an embedded static component, said embedded static component being associated with a modified tag, said modified tag having been generated from an original tag by inclusion of an embedded reference pointing to an address from which a best instantiation of said embedded static component can be derived, said method comprising the steps of:

• in response to a request from a first user,
• serving said dynamic component to said first user from a primary web server, and
• serving a first best-instantiation of said static component to said first user from a first secondary-web-server having a first address derived from said embedded reference;
• and
• in response to a request from a second user,
• serving said dynamic component to said second user from said primary web server, and
• serving a second best-instantiation of said static component to said second user from a second secondary-web-server having a second address derived from said embedded reference.

A method of serving a requested data file having a dynamic component and an embedded static component, said embedded static component being associated with a modified tag, said modified tag having been generated from an original tag by inclusion of an embedded reference pointing to an address from which a best instantiation of said embedded static component can be derived, said method comprising the steps of:

• in response to a request from a first user and a second user, serving said dynamic component to said first user and to said second user from a primary web server;
• and
• deriving, from said modified tag, a first best-instantiation of said embedded static component and a second best-instantiation of said embedded static component;
• serving said first best-instantiation of said static component to said first user from a first secondary-web-server,
• serving said second best-instantiation of said static component to said second user from a second secondary-web-server.

A method for selecting an optimal web server for delivery, to a user, of a static data file, said static data file being identified by a URL embedded in a web page, said method comprising the steps of:

• reading, from said web page, said URL identifying said static data file;
• determining, on the basis of said URL, an address leading to an optimal web server for delivery of said static data file;
• and
• altering said URL to incorporate information indicative of said address leading to said optimal web server address.

A collaborative hosting system for distribution of data files on a computer network, said data files including a dynamic component and an embedded static component, said embedded document being identified by a tag, said system comprising

• a plurality of secondary web servers for storing instantiations of said embedded static component,
• a primary web server for storing said dynamic component,
• an optimizing process for selecting from said plurality of secondary web servers, an optimal web server, and
• a tagging process for tagging said embedded static component with information leading to said optimal web server.