TaBLA: A Client-Based Scheduling Algorithm for Web Proxy Clusters

(PREVIOUS TITLE: Client-Based Scheduling Algorithms for Web Proxy Clusters) As client populations in ISPs continue to rise, it becomes necessary for ISP proxy caches to efficiently handle large number of web requests. In this paper, we examine the performance of client-side load balancing schemes that help select a proxy from an array of proxies that are equidistant from the client. The two most popular solutions include choosing a random proxy based on either the URl requested, or the web server from which the URL is requested. Based on an analysis of proxy traces, we propose a new client-side scheduling algorithm "TaBLA". The algorithm creates a redirection table that can be loaded into the clients' browsers. Simulation experiments indicate that our algorithm significantly improves average response time and average slowdown compared to the purely randomized schemes.