Optimal request routing by exploiting packet routers topology information

摘要

A technique for redirecting client computer requests for content files to the closest replica of the requested content, by using anycast messaging. The request to resolve a domain name is forwarded as an anycast message to a name service provided by a group of name servers distributed in the network. The closest name server then responds to the anycast message by returning a unique network address for an associated content server that contains a replica of the requested content file. This scheme permits a client computer to subsequently establish higher level protocol access method, such as a Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request, to open a connection and deliver the content file replica, from a content server that is topologically close to the client, using only standard network protocols.