Method and system for directing requests for content to a content server based on network performance

A method for directing a first network client requesting access to content from a network server to one of a plurality of content servers that can provido said content, each said content server having an address, said network server having an identity, said method comprising:

• (a) identifying the network server associated with the content requested by said network client;
• (b) if one or more cost measurements are available that measure operational characteristics of the network based on communication between the first network client and one or more of the plurality of content servers, then identifying a said one of said content servers based on said identity of said network server and the one or more cost measurements;
• otherwise, identifying a said one of said content servers based on said identity of said network server and one or more cost measurements that measure operational characteristics of the network based on communication between a second client that is physically proximate to the first network client and one or more of the plurality of content server;
• and
• (c) providing the first network client with the address of said content server identified in step (b).

A system for directing a first network client requesting access to content to one of a plurality of content servers that can provide said content, comprising:

• a programmed data processor;
• and
• programming associated with said programmed data processor for:
• determining whether one or more cost measurements are available that measure operational characteristics of the network based on communication between the first network client and one or more of the plurality of content servers,
• if so, then directing the first network client to a said one of said content servers based on the one or more cost measurements;
• if not, then directing the first network client to a said one of said content servers using one or more cost measurements that measure operational characteristics of the network based on communication between a second client that is physically proximate to the first network client and one or more of the plurality of content servers.

A system for directing a first network client requesting access to content from a network server to one of a plurality of content servers that can provide said content, each said content server having an address, said network server having an identity, said method comprising:

• (a) a programmed data processor;
• and
• (b) programming associated with said programmed data processor for
• (i) identifying a the network server associated with the content requested by said first network client;
• (ii) if one or more cost measurements are available that measure operational characteristics of the network based on communication between the network client and one or more of the plurality of content servers, then identifying a said one of said content servers based on said identity of said network server and the one or more cost measurements;
• and
• (iii) otherwise, identifying a said one of said content servers based on said identity of said network server and one or more cost measurements that measure operational characteristics of the network based on communication between a client that is physically proximate to the first network client and one or more of the plurality of content servers;
• and
• (c) providing the first network client with the address of said content server identified in step (b).