Server-Based Dynamic Server Selection Algorithms

Server selection is an important problem in replicated server systems distributed over the Internet. In this paper, we study two server selection algorithms under a server-based framework we have developed. These algorithms utilize server load and network performance information collected through a shared passive measurement mechanism to determine the appropriate server for processing a client request. The performance of these algorithms is studied using simulations. Comparison with two naive server selection algorithms is also made. The initial simulation results show that our dynamic server selection algorithms have superior performance over the two naive ones, and as a result, demonstrate the importance of dynamic server selection mechanisms in a replicated server system.