Multi-cast enabled web server

Details Multi-cast enabled web server Multi-cast enabled web server

1998-06-01

2002-07-09

Vincent, David R. (Department: 2732)

Multiplex communications

Pathfinding or routing

Switching a message which includes an address header

C370S432000, C709S203000, C709S239000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06418141

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to web servers on the Internet. In particular, this invention pertains to an improved method of transmitting web pages over the Internet from a server to a client.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to understand the multi-cast enabled web server and browser of the present invention, network data transmission methods and typical web client/server interactions must be understood.
With respect to data transmission methods, most networks that interact with each other on the Internet follow the Internet Protocol Version
4
(“IPv4”) standard for transmitting data. Internet Protocol (“IP”) is part of the TCP/IP family of protocols describing software that tracks the Internet address of nodes, routes outgoing messages, and recognizes incoming messages. The two most common methods for transmitting data under IPv4 are unicasting and broadcasting.
As used herein, the term “unicasting” is defined as the sending of information across a network or the Internet from one specific computer to another specific computer. Unicasting is the most common method of transmitting information over the Internet.
FIG. 1
illustrates the unicasting method of data transmission. As shown in
FIG. 1
, Host A
100
is unicasting information to the computer labeled Host D
102
. All other hosts
104
,
106
,
108
on the Internet
110
ignore this information.
The problem with using the unicasting method to transmit information across the Internet for high-volume web pages is apparent. For example, if a host computer receives five thousand (5000) requests for the same web page, the host computer must-if using the unicasting method-separately transmit the same web page five thousand (5000) times to each different client. Thus, when used for high-volume web pages, the unicasting method unnecessarily places a heavy load on the host computer.
Another method of data transmission is broadcasting. As used herein, the term “broadcasting” is defined as the sending of information from one specific computer within a network segment or an Internet segment to every other computer in that segment. A “network segment” or an “Internet segment” is a subset of the network that appears on one side of a router. Every one of these receiving computers must process the broadcast message, it cannot be ignored. However, it should be noted that broadcasted messages are not propagated across Internet segments. Thus, in order for the broadcasting method to work, it is a requirement that all involved computers must be on the same network segment.
FIG. 2
illustrates the broadcasting method of data transmission. As shown in
FIG. 2
, if Host A
100
wants to send information to Host D
102
using the broadcasting method, Host A
100
must broadcast information to all computers
102
,
104
,
106
,
108
on the Internet segment
200
.
The problems with using the broadcasting method to transmit information across the Internet are also apparent. For example, the broadcasting method is not able to transmit information across multiple Internet segments. In addition, the broadcasting method is very inefficient if only a small number of clients have requested the same information, because each computer that receives the broadcast message must process the message and cannot ignore it. Thus, the broadcasting method unnecessarily shifts the burden from the host computer to each individual client within a given Internet segment.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of supplying information over a network that minimizes the loads placed on the host computer as well as on each client, and also minimizes the amount of network bandwidth required to transmit the information to the requesting clients.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The method of the present invention supplies a requested web page to at least one client. In normal operation, a server or host computer waits for a client to request a web page. After being requested, the server determines whether the requested web page should be multi-cast or unicast. If the server determines that the requested web page should be unicast, the web page is unicast to the client. If the server determines that the requested web page should be multi-cast, the server next determines whether the requested web page is currently being multi-cast. If the requested web page is currently being multi-cast, the server re-directs the client to a multi-cast address and then increments a counter by one. If the requested web page is not currently being multi-cast, the server re-directs the client to a multi-cast address, sets the counter to a numeric value of one and initiates a multi-cast of the requested web page.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5481297 (1996-01-01), Cash et al.
patent: 5526024 (1996-06-01), Gaglianello et al.
patent: 5623308 (1997-04-01), Civanlar et al.
patent: 5691768 (1997-11-01), Civanlar et al.
patent: 5710591 (1998-01-01), Bruno et al.
patent: 5724355 (1998-03-01), Bruno et al.
patent: 5920701 (1999-07-01), Miller et al.
patent: 6011782 (2000-01-01), DeSimone et al.
patent: 6038601 (2000-03-01), Lambert et al.
patent: 6041343 (2000-03-01), Nguyen et al.
patent: 6181697 (2001-01-01), Nurenberg et al.
patent: 6233618 (2001-05-01), Shannon
US 5,715,404, 02/1998, Katseff et al. (withdrawn)

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Multi-cast enabled web server does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Multi-cast enabled web server, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Multi-cast enabled web server will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2816413