Systems and methods for directing client requests and for selecting a back
end server to service client requests. A front end server receives client requests
and based on the URI of the requests, directs the request to a back end server.
The client request can be for a private or a public folder and each back end server
typically stores both private and public folders. If the request is for a private
folder, then the front end server determines which server stores that user's private
folder and directs the client request to that folder. If the request is for a home
public folder, the front end server directs the client request to the server that
is associated with the private folders of the users. If the request is for an application
public folder, then the front end server selects one of the back end servers to
service the client request. Advantageously, the front end server always directs
the client request to the same server. If the selected server is unavailable, then
the front end server is capable of redirecting the client request to an available server.
