US5951694A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of redirecting a client service session to a second application server without interrupting the session by forwarding service-specific information to the second server
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1997-02-03
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Granted: 1999-09-14
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Expires: 2017-02-03
Abstract
Abstract An on-line services network includes application servers and Gateway microcomputers that are interconnected by a LAN. The Gateway microcomputers receive service requests which are transmitted over a WAN from client microcomputers operated by end users. Upon receiving a request to open a service, the Gateway microcomputers access a periodically-updated service map to locate the replicated application servers that are currently running the corresponding service application, and then apply a load balancing method (using server load data contained within the service map) to select an application server that has a relatively low processing load. A communications protocol between the client and Gateway microcomputers enables users to access multiple services simultaneously. A hot redirection technique allows a user service session to be transferred from one application server to another (replicated) application server without termination of the service session. Various mechanisms are provided for efficiently reallocating application servers to different on-line services, and for allowing additional servers to be efficiently added to the network.
Inventors
- 👤 Philippe Choquier
- 👤 Jean-Francios Peyroux
- 👤 William J. Griffin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:20
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/10; H04L67/1001; H04L67/1004; H04L67/1008; G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/50; G06F9/5005; G06F9/5027; G06F9/505; G06F9/5083; G06F9/5088; H04L51/00; H04L51/21; H04L51/226; H04L67/1019; H04L67/1095; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
In a client-server network in which multiple application servers independently run the same service application to provide like services to end users, a method of redirecting a client service session from a first application server to a second application server without terminating the client service session, said first and second application servers running the same service application, said method comprising the steps of: prompting said first application server for service-specific information about a state of the client service session; forwarding said service-specific information about said state to said second application server; and transferring the client service session from said first application server to said second application server without interrupting the client service session.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a client-server network in which multiple application servers independently run the same service application to provide like services to end users, a method of redirecting a client service session from a first application server to a second application server without terminating the client service session, said first and second application servers running the same service application, said method comprising the steps of: prompting said first application server for service-specific information about a state of the client service session; forwarding said service-specific information about said state to said second application server; and transferring the client service session from said first application server to said second application server without interrupting the client service session.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of, after transferring the client service session from said first application server to said second application server, taking said first application server off-line for maintenance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of, after transferring the client service session from said first application server to said second application server, reallocating said first application server from a first service to a second service, said first service corresponding to the client service session.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein said forwarding step includes forwarding an object that describes the internal state of the client service session.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein the object comprises indicia of one of the end users of the client-server network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said forwarding step includes forwarding an object that describes the internal state of the client service session.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein the object comprises indicia of one of the end users of the client-server network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of dynamically unloading the client service session from said first application server after the client service session has been transferred to said second application server.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a client-server network including multiple application servers independently running the same service application to provide like services to end users by redirecting a client service session from a first application server to a second application server without terminating the client service session, said first and second application servers running the same service application, a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of: prompting said first application server for service-specific information about a state of the client service session; forwarding said service-specific information about said state to said second application server; and transferring the client service session from said first application server to said second application server without interrupting the client service session.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a client-server network including multiple application servers independently running the same service application to provide like services to end users by redirecting a client service session from a first application server to a second application server without terminating the client service session, said first and second application servers running the same service application, a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of: prompting said first application server for service-specific information about a state of the client service session; forwarding said service-specific information about said state to said second application server; and transferring the client service session from said first application server to said second application server without interrupting the client service session.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as in claim 9, further comprising taking said first application server off-line for maintenance after transferring the client service session from said first application server to said second application server.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as in claim 10 wherein said forwarding step includes forwarding an object that describes the internal state of the service session.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as in claim 11 wherein the object comprises indicia of one of the end users of the client-server network.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention as in claim 11, further comprising the step of reallocating said first application server from a first service corresponding to the client service session to a second service after transferring the client service session from said first application server to said second application server.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for redirecting a service session in a client-server network including a first application server, a second application server and a gateway computer in which said first application server and said second application server independently run the same service application to provide like services to end users through said gateway microcomputer, said first and second application servers running the same service application, said method comprising the steps of: submitting a request by said gateway computer to said first application server for service-specific information about a state of the client service session; buffering any additional service requests received by said gateway computer from a client; forwarding to said gateway computer an object including said service-specific information about said state; passing to said second application server the internal state information and the buffered service requests.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for redirecting a service session in a client-server network including a first application server, a second application server and a gateway computer in which said first application server and said second application server independently run the same service application to provide like services to end users through said gateway microcomputer, said first and second application servers running the same service application, said method comprising the steps of: submitting a request by said gateway computer to said first application server for service-specific information about a state of the client service session; buffering any additional service requests received by said gateway computer from a client; forwarding to said gateway computer an object including said service-specific information about said state; passing to said second application server the internal state information and the buffered service requests.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as in claim 14, further comprising the step of taking said first application server off-line for maintenance after transferring the client service session from said first application server to said second application server.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as in claim 14 wherein the object further comprises indicia of a user of the client-server network.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention as in claim 14, further comprising the step of reallocating said first application server from a first service corresponding to the client service session to a second service after transferring the client service session from said first application server to said second application server.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a client-server network including a first application server, a second application server and a gateway computer wherein said first application server and said second application server independently run the same service application to provide like services to end users through said gateway microcomputer, said first and second application servers running the same service application, a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for redirecting a service session from said first application server to said second application server comprising the steps of: submitting a request to said first application server for service-specific information about a state of the client service session; buffering any additional service requests received from a client; receiving from said first application server an object including said service-specific information about said state; passing the internal state information and the buffered service requests to said second application server.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a client-server network including a first application server, a second application server and a gateway computer wherein said first application server and said second application server independently run the same service application to provide like services to end users through said gateway microcomputer, said first and second application servers running the same service application, a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for redirecting a service session from said first application server to said second application server comprising the steps of: submitting a request to said first application server for service-specific information about a state of the client service session; buffering any additional service requests received from a client; receiving from said first application server an object including said service-specific information about said state; passing the internal state information and the buffered service requests to said second application server.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as in claim 18, further comprising taking said first application server off-line for maintenance after transferring the client service session from said first application server to said second application server.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as in claim 18 wherein the object comprises indicia of a user of the client-server network.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as in claim 20, further comprising the step of reallocating said first application server from a first service corresponding to the client service session to a second service after the client service session is transferred from said first application server to said second application server.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-09-13 | 2003-03-15 | 2003-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-13 | 2007-03-15 | 2007-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-13 | 2011-03-15 | 2011-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |