Adaptive web server

Abstract

A data service system in a data access network system is described. The data service system includes a content server that stores content files for access by external access requests. Each of the content files is stored in a full content format and an adapted or degraded content format which is less resource-intensive to serve than the full content format. The data service system also includes an adaptive load control system which is coupled to the content server to pass the access requests to the content server. The adaptive load control system modifies an access request to access the corresponding content file in the adapted content format when the content server is in an overload condition such that the content server can be maintained at safe load conditions. A method of maintaining the content server at safe load conditions is also described.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A data service system, comprising:
 a content server to receive a request from a client for a content file stored in the content server; and   an adaptive load control system to modify the request for the content file into a request for an adapted content file according to the client.   
     
     
         17 . The data service system of  claim 16 , wherein the adapted content file is less resource-intensive to serve than the content file. 
     
     
         18 . The data service system of  claim 16 , wherein the content file is stored along a plurality of adapted content files that are degraded versions of the content file. 
     
     
         19 . The data service system of  claim 16 , wherein the request for the content file comprises a URL addressing the content file. 
     
     
         20 . The data service system of  claim 19 , wherein the request for an adapted content file comprises a modified URL addressing the adapted content file instead of the URL addressing the content file. 
     
     
         21 . The data service system of  claim 19 , wherein to modify the request for the content file into a request for an adapted content file according to the client comprises to modify the request for the content file based on a network connection associated with the client. 
     
     
         22 . The data service system of  claim 19 , wherein to modify the request for the content file into a request for an adapted content file according to the client comprises to modify the request for the content file based on a latency associated with the client. 
     
     
         23 . The data service system of  claim 19 , wherein to modify the request for the content file into a request for an adapted content file according to the client comprises to modify the request for the content file based on a display capability of the client. 
     
     
         24 . A method implemented in a data service system having a content server, the method comprising:
 receiving a request from a client for a content file stored in the content server;   determining how to serve the request based on the client and a service class associated with the client; and   modifying the request for the content file into a request for an adapted content file stored in the content server based on the client and the service class associated with the client.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the adapted content file is less resource-intensive to serve than the content file. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the content file is stored along a plurality of adapted content files that are degraded versions of the content file. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein receiving a request from the client for the content file comprises receiving a URL addressing the content file. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the request for an adapted content file comprises a modified URL addressing the adapted content file instead of the URL addressing the content file. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein determining how to serve the request based on the client comprises determining a network connection associated with the client. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein determining how to serve the request based on the client comprises determining a latency associated with the client. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein determining how to serve the request based on the client comprises determining a display capability of the client. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein determining how to serve the request based on a service class associated with the client comprises giving preferential treatment to a guaranteed service class. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein determining how to serve the request based on a service class associated with the client comprises serving a non-guaranteed service class on a best effort basis with available resources.