Name server computer having a load levelling facility to spread the load from client computers across a plurality of server computers

Abstract

A name server computer and method of operating such a computer, for facilitating a connection of a program on a client computer to a server, the server consisting of a plurality of server computers with shared resources. The name server computer, the client computer, and the server computers all reside in a logical network. The name server computer receives a request from the client computer for a computer address of a server computer identified by a server computer name sent with the request, such computer address enabling a connection to be made from the client computer to that server computer via the network. A list of server computer names with their computer addresses is provided. The name server computer uses the list to convert the server computer name received from the client computer into the computer address of the server computer, and then sends the computer address to the client computer. The computer further includes decision logic for studying the server computers at predetermined intervals having regard to a predetermined test criteria, to select one of the server computers. The list is then updated by associating the computer address for the server computer selected by the decision logic with a particular server computer name contained as a generic server computer name in the list. Using this technique, when a client computer specifies the generic server computer name, it receives the computer address of the server computer identified by the decision logic.