Hierarchical data network address resolution

A computer for resolving labels into network addresses, said computer comprising:

• a memory storing computer program instructions;
• a processor for executing said computer program instructions and for controlling the operation of said computer in accordance with the functions defined by said computer program instructions, said computer program instructions defining the steps of:
• receiving a label;
• accessing a plurality of address tables in an order defined by a user modifiable search table, each of said address tables storing labels and associated network addresses, and
• retrieving a network address associated with said received label from the first accessed address table containing said received label.

A method for operation of a network server for resolving a label received from a remote user into a network address, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a label from said remote user;
• accessing a user modifiable search table associated with said user, said search table defining a plurality of address tables to be searched and a search order;
• accessing said plurality of address tables in said search order;
• retrieving a network address from the earliest accessed address table which contains said label;
• and
• sending said retrieved network address to said user.