Importance

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Abstract

In an arrangement where a plurality of cache servers are interconnected to form a virtual cache, each cache server includes a selection module and a caching module. The selection module determines whether the cache server can service an incoming request for information, whether the request ought to be directed to another one of the cache servers, or whether the request be routed to the site from whence the information is requested. In making this determination, in accordance with one embodiment, the module consults a table that associates sites or/and sub-sites with specific ones of the cache servers. In another embodiment, the determination is made by translating the address of the site, or sub-site, or web page that is requested; for example, with a hash function. The caching module determines whether a request for information from a particular site will be cached in the cache server of the caching module, if it is not already being cached by one of the cache servers. The determinations made by the caching module comport with the determinations made by the selection module.

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First Claim