Method and system for workload balancing in a network of computer systems

A computer readable medium containing programming instructions for connecting a client to a database managed by a network of computer systems, the network of computer systems including a plurality of database management system (DBMS) members, comprising programming instruction for:

• (a) providing a shared network address for the plurality of DBMS members;
• (b) utilizing the shared network address by the client to connect to an active DBMS member of the plurality of DBMS members;
• (c) assigning each DBMS member in the plurality of DBMS members a corresponding member-specific network address, wherein the member-specific network address is associated with the corresponding member regardless of its location;
• and
• (d) utilizing the member-specific network address of a DBMS member to re-establish a connection to the DBMS member for performing a resynchronization process after a first connection to the DBMS member has been interrupted.

A system for connecting a client to a database managed by a network of computer systems, the network of computer systems including a plurality of database management system (DBMS) members, the system comprising:

• a shared network address for the plurality of DBMS members;
• and
• a network router coupled to the client for utilizing the shared network address to connect the client to an active DBMS member of the plurality of DBMS members;
• and
• means for assigning a corresponding member-specific network address for each DBMS member, wherein the member-specific network address is associated with the corresponding member regardless of its location,
• wherein the client utilizes the member-specific network address to perform a resynchronization process with a DBMS member after a first connection with the DBMS member has been interrupted.