Pseudo proxy server providing instant overflow capacity to computer networks

Abstract

A pseudo proxy server is provided for a host network when the host network experiences periods of congestion. The host network determines whether an arrival rate of data requests exceeds a predetermined threshold. If so, the host network adds an address of a pseudo proxy server to a list of servers aliased to the host network. Thereafter, data requests are routed to the pseudo proxy server on a round robin basis. The pseudo proxy server may be engaged without first loading information content from the host network on the pseudo proxy server.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method for managing overflow capacity in a computer network, comprising: 
 when a data request is received at the computer network, determining whether an arrival rate of data requests exceeds a predetermined threshold,    if the predetermined threshold is exceeded, adding an address of a pseudo proxy server to a list of servers aliased to the computer network and sending a recruitment message to the pseudo proxy server.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, thereafter routing data requests to the pseudo proxy server on a round robin basis with other servers of the computer network.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined threshold is a predetermined capacity of servers in the computer network.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined threshold is a predetermined bandwidth limit of a communications input to the computer network.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pseudo proxy server is added to the list of servers without first loading information content from the computer network on the pseudo proxy server.  
     
     
         6 . A method for fulfilling data requests at a pseudo proxy server, comprising: 
 receiving a data request at the pseudo proxy server,    determining whether the pseudo proxy server possesses a valid data item responsive to the data request and whether the copy is valid.    if not, 
 requesting the data item from a host network and  
 furnishing the data item in a response when it is received from the host network.  
   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the determining step includes a step of determining whether the pseudo proxy server has a copy of the requested data stored locally.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the determining step includes a step of determining whether the pseudo proxy server has a copy of the requested data stored locally and, even if so, whether an age of the copy is less than a predetermine age limit for data items.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, if the pseudo proxy server possesses a valid data item responsive to the request, furnishing the data item in a response.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, storing the data item when it is received from the host network.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, thereafter, when subsequent requests for the data item are received, furnishing a copy of the stored data item in response to the data request.  
     
     
         12 . A method for filling data requests at a pseudo proxy server, comprising. 
 receiving a data request at the pseudo proxy server,    if the data request involves a process to be performed by the pseudo proxy server, requesting the process from a host network,    receiving the process,    performing the process, and    fulfilling the data request.    
     
     
         13 . A pseudo proxy service system, comprising 
 a pseudo proxy server network populated by a plurality of pseudo proxy servers, and    a recruitment server storing network addresses of the pseudo proxy servers, selecting one of the addresses in response to a recruitment request and furnishing the selected address in a response message.    
     
     
         14 . The pseudo proxy service system of  claim 13 , wherein the recruitment server sends a message to the selected pseudo proxy server.  
     
     
         15 . The pseudo proxy service system of  claim 13 , wherein the pseudo proxy servers operate according to the method of: 
 receiving an external request for data, determining whether the pseudo proxy server possesses a valid data item responsive to the data request and whether the copy is valid.    if not, 
 requesting the data item from a host network and  
 furnishing the data item in a response when it is received from the host network.