Network server supporting multiple instance of services to operate concurrently by having endpoint mapping subsystem for mapping virtual network names to virtual endpoint ids

Abstract

In a network server that supports multiple instances of the same service, clients individually request the virtual services by using virtual network names assigned to the virtual services. The virtual network names include a locator ID (e.g., server name, IP address) and a designated endpoint ID (e.g., named pipe name, port ID). The server implements an endpoint mapping subsystem that creates new virtual endpoint IDs that are different from the designated endpoint IDs and associates the virtual endpoint IDs with the virtual network names. When a client request is received at the server, the endpoint mapping subsystem examines the virtual network name, looks up the corresponding virtual endpoint ID, and replaces the virtual network name with the virtual endpoint ID in the request. This allows more than one instance of the service to operate concurrently.