Method and system for community data caching
A cache module ( 26 ) at a client computer ( 12 ) controls a cache portion ( 28 ) on a storage device ( 24 ). The cache module communicates with other cache modules at other clients to form a cache community ( 15 ). The cache modules store World Wide Web or other content in the cache portions for retrieval in response to requests ( 32 ) for content from browsers ( 30 ) in the cache community. When the requested content is not available in the cache community, the requested content may be retrieved from an origin server ( 19 ) using the Internet.
1. A method for changing a master member of a cache community, comprising:
determining an amount of time since receiving a member status request from a master member;
determining whether the amount of time exceeds a threshold;
generating an election request to initiate election of a new master member;
communicating the election request to members of the cache community;
receiving an election response from each of one or more members;
generating a nomination request from the election responses received from the one or more members;
communicating the nomination request to a member selected to be the new master member in accordance with the election responses; and
generating a peer list based on the received election responses.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining whether a nomination response has been received from the member selected to be the new master member.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
receiving a nomination response from the member selected to be the new master member;
terminating election for the new master member.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
updating the cache community with the new master member.
5. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
generating and communicating a new election request in response to not receiving a nomination response from the member selected to be the new master member.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising;
receiving a response from the master member;
aborting election of the new master member.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
maintaining members of the cache community in a peer list;
updating the peer list in response to receipt of election responses.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
using a dynamic reef protocol messaging scheme to generate and communicate the election request.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
establishing a new cache community based on the received election responses.
10. A system for changing a master member of a cache community, comprising:
means for determining an amount of time since receiving a member status request from a master member;
means for determining whether the amount of time exceeds a threshold;
means for generating an election request to initiate election of a new master member;
means for communicating the election request to members of the cache community;
means for generating a nomination request from the election responses received from the one or more members;
means for communicating the nomination request to a member selected to be the new master member in accordance with the election responses; and
means for receiving an election response from each of one or more members; means for generating a peer list based on the received election responses.
11. The system of claim 10 , further comprising:
means for receiving a nomination response from the member selected to be the new master member;
means for terminating election for the new master member.
12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
means for updating the cache community with the new master member.
13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
means for receiving a response from the master member;
means for aborting election of the new master member.
14. A computer readable storage device including code for changing a master member of a cache community, the code operable to:
determine an amount of time since receiving a member status request from a master member;
determine whether the amount of time exceeds a threshold;
generate an election request to initiate election of a new master member;
communicate the election request to members of the cache community;
receive an election response from each of one or more members;
generate a nomination request from the election responses received from the one or more members;
communicate the nomination request to a member selected to be a new master member in accordance with the election responses; and
generate a peer list based on the received election responses.
15. The computer readable storage device of claim 14 , the code further operable to:
receive a nomination response from the member selected to be the new master member;
terminate election for the new master member.
16. The computer readable storage device of claim 15 , the code further operable to:
update the cache community with the new master member.
17. The computer readable storage device of claim 14 , the code further operable to:
receive a response from the master member;
abort election of the new master member.