Localization link system
A method is provided which directs users to the closest mirror site for desired content. For each mirrored instance of a content store, the distance is determined to each of the networks from which users connect, wherein the determined distance is typically based upon the number of hops and or latency. The localization information is stored, such as by populating a localization database or a localization web service. Upon receipt of a user request for a web page that includes a link to localized/mirrored content, the stored localization information is queried, to determine the closest mirror to the user, based upon the IP address of the user terminal or network. A web page is then generated and transmitted to the user, which comprises a localized link to the determined mirror site. When the user selects the localized link, the user is automatically directed to the closest, i.e. local, mirror.
1 . A process for providing a link to a preferred mirror instance within a plurality of mirror instances of a content store, comprising the steps of:
determining localization information for each mirrored instance of the content store to each network from which users connect;
storing the localization information;
receiving a request from a user that includes a link to mirrored content;
querying the localization database to determine a preferred mirror to the user, based upon the stored localization information;
dynamically generating a localized link to the preferred mirror; and
transmitting the localized link to the user.
2 . The process of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
automatically directing the user to the local mirror instance when the user selects the link.
3 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the localization information comprises a determined number of hops for each mirrored instance of the content store to each network from which users connect.
4 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the localization information comprises a latency for each mirrored instance of the content store to each network from which users connect.
5 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the localization information comprises a transmission cost for each mirrored instance of the content store to each network from which users connect.
6 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the localization information comprises mirror server load information.
7 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the localization information comprises mirror server operation information.
8 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the localization information comprises cost information.
9 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the localization information comprises network segment information.
10 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the localization information is stored in a database.
11 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the localization information is stored at a web service.
12 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the request comprises a web page.
13 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the localized link is included within a webpage, and wherein the webpage is transmitted to the user.
14 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the preferred mirror is determined from the request IP address of the user.
15 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the preferred mirror is determined from the request IP network of the user.
16 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the localized link comprises an HTTP link.
17 . A process for providing a link to a preferred mirror instance within a plurality of mirror instances of a content store, comprising the steps of:
determining localization information for each mirrored instance of the content store to each network from which users connect;
storing the localization information;
receiving a request from a user terminal comprising a unique address that includes a link to the content store;
querying the localization database to determine a preferred mirror to the user, based upon the stored localization information and the unique address;
dynamically generating a localized link to the preferred mirror; and
transmitting the localized link to the user.
18 . The process of claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
automatically directing the user to the preferred mirror when the user selects the localized link.
19 . The process of claim 17 , wherein the localization information comprises a determined number of hops for each mirrored instance of the content store to each network from which users connect.
20 . The process of claim 17 , wherein the localization information comprises a latency for each mirrored instance of the content store to each network from which users connect.
21 . The process of claim 17 , wherein the localization information comprises a transmission cost for each mirrored instance of the content store to each network from which users connect.
22 . The process of claim 17 , wherein the localization information comprises mirror server load information.
23 . The process of claim 17 , wherein the localization information comprises mirror server operation information.
24 . The process of claim 17 , wherein the localization information comprises cost information.
25 . The process of claim 17 , wherein the localization information comprises network segment information.
26 . The process of claim 17 , wherein the localization information is stored in a database.
27 . The process of claim 17 , wherein the localization information is stored at a web service.
28 . The process of claim 17 , wherein the request comprises a web page.
29 . The process of claim 17 , wherein the localized link is included within a webpage, and wherein the webpage is transmitted to the user.
30 . The process of claim 17 , wherein the preferred mirror is further determined from a request IP network of the user.
31 . A proximity resource allocation system for providing a link from any network within a plurality of networks from which a user terminal connect to a preferred mirror within a plurality of mirrors comprising a content store, comprising:
a localization database comprising localization information for each mirror of the content store to each of the networks; and
a network service provider for receiving a request from a user terminal comprising a unique address that includes a link to the content store, for determining a preferred mirror to the user terminal, based upon the stored localization information and the unique address, for dynamically generating a localized link to the preferred mirror, and for transmitting the localized link to the user.
32 . The system of claim 31 , further comprising:
means to direct the user terminal to the preferred mirror upon a selection of the localized link.
33 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the localization information comprises a determined number of hops from each mirror to each of the networks.
34 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the localization information comprises a latency for each mirror of the content store to each of the networks.
35 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the unique address comprises a terminal IP address.
36 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the localization information comprises mirror server load information.
37 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the localization information comprises mirror server operation status information.
38 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the localization information comprises cost information.
39 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the localization information comprises network segment information.
40 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the localization information comprises a map of IP address space within a global routing table.
41 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the localization information comprises triangulation tests and performance tests of the networks.
42 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the request comprises a web page.
43 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the localized link is included within a webpage, and wherein the webpage is transmitted to the user.