System for handling information and information transfers in a computer network

In a distributed networked computer system, a process for exchanging messages in said networked computer system, said process comprising the steps of:

• providing information to be sent from a source to a destination, said source and said destination coupled to said distributed networked computer system;
• generating a message at said source, said message comprising the information and routing information;
• transmitting said message to a selected route point in said distributed computer network using a first communication backbone;
• transmitting said message to at least one additional selected route point in said distributed computer network using a second communication backbone;
• archiving said message at each route point;
• transmitting said message from each route point to said destination;
• tracking the amount of data sent to said destination at each route point;
• and
• eliminating duplicate copies of said message at said destination;
• wherein said message is archived at each route point after said message has been transmitted from each route point to said destination.

In a networked computer system having a plurality of connectors for providing access to a network for transmitting messages between said connectors, an apparatus for managing the transmission of said messages in said networked computer system, said apparatus comprising:

• means for generating messages, said generating means coupled to said network;
• a first route point;
• a second route point;
• means for transmitting said message to said first selected route point in said distributed computer network using a first communication backbone and to said second selected route point in said distributed computer network using a second communication backbone;
• means for archiving said message at each route point after said message is transmitted by such route point, said archival means associated with said route point;
• means for transmitting said message from said first route point to said destination using said first communication backbone;
• means for transmitting said message from said at least one additional route point to said destination using said second communication background;
• means for eliminating duplicate copies of said message at said destination;
• and
• means for recovering said information at said destination.

An apparatus for transmitting and tracking messages over a distributed network, comprising:

• a plurality of route points;
• a plurality of connectors, each of which coupled by said network to at least a pair of said route points;
• said connectors adapted to receive information and configuring said information in an envelope prior to transmitting said envelope to said route points;
• a distributed database for archiving said envelope at each route point after said envelope has been transmitted at each route point, said distributed database coupled to said route points by said network;
• a second plurality of connectors, each of which coupled by said network to at least two of said plurality of route points, said second plurality of connectors adapted to acquire said envelope from said at least two of said plurality of route points and for determining whether one of said envelope is a duplicate of an earlier received envelope;
• means for acquiring said envelope from either said route points or from said distributed database.