System and method for locating information in an on-line network

Abstract

The find system of the present invention operates as an extension of a computer's operating system and allows an end-user of an on-line network to enter a search request to locate offerings in different services. In the on-line network, multiple query modules process the search requests by using multiple indexes which associate search terms with offerings in the different services. In addition, multiple find modules balance the processing loads placed on the query modules by selectively routing the search requests to the query modules. In addition to locating offerings in the on-line network, the find system can also establish connections with external data sources and route search requests to the external data sources. Furthermore, the find system provides a fault-tolerant system in which the find modules reroute the search requests to other query modules when errors occur. The find system also contains an indexing module which executes on separate processors and allows service providers to create specialized indexing schemes. These specialized indexes are then periodically updated and transferred to the query modules using techniques which allow search request processing during the update process. Still further, the find system provides an improved method of obtaining up-to-date security clearances for located offerings.