Method and system for a front-end modular transmission control protocol (TCP) handoff design in a streams based transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) implementation

In a communication network, a method of TCP state migration comprising the steps of:

• a) receiving a request from a client for establishing a communication session at a first bottom TCP (BTCP) module located at a front-end node, said front-end node accessing a plurality of back-end web servers containing content, wherein said content is partially replicated between each of said plurality of back-end web servers, said communication session established for the transfer of data contained within said content to said client;
• b) establishing said communication session between said client and said first BTCP module, said first BTCP module located below a first TCP module in a first operating system at said front-end node;
• c) receiving a HTTP request from said client at said first BTCP module;
• d) parsing said HTTP request to determine which back-end web server, a selected back-end web server, in said plurality of back-end web servers contains said data in order to process said HTTP request, said selected back-end web server not said front-end node;
• e) extending said communication session to said selected back-end web server by handing-off an initial TCP state of said first BTCP module to a second BTCP module located at said selected back-end web server, said initial TCP state associated with said communication session between said client and said first BTCP module, said second BTCP module located below a second TCP module in a second operating system at said selected back-end web server;
• f) sending said HTTP request to said selected back-end web server;
• g) switching a bottom IP (BIP) module in said front-end node to a forwarding mode, wherein packets, from said client, received at said front-end node are intercepted by said BIP module and forwarded to said selected back-end web server, said BIP module located below an IP module in said front-end node, said BIP module changing destination IP addresses of said packets to said selected back-end web server and
• h) terminating said communication session after said HTTP request has been fully processed.

A communication network for TCP state migration comprising:

• a client;
• a front-end node coupled to said client by said communication network, said front-end node including a front-end bottom TCP (BTCP) module located below a front-end TCP module in a first operating system, and a bottom IP (BIP) module located below an IP module in said first operating system;
• and
• a plurality of back-end web servers including a selected back-end web server, said plurality of back-end web servers containing content that is partitioned between each of said plurality of back-end web servers, each of said plurality of back-end web servers coupled to said front-end node through said communication network, each of said plurality of back-end web servers including a back-end bottom TCP module located below a back-end TCP module.