Latency-based routing and load balancing in a network

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to routing queries to a network repository and load balancing in a network. For a network repository having a plurality of content storage sites, relative replication latency of data among a pair of content storages sites can be monitored. Data indicative of such replication latency can be distributed among the content storage sites and can be provided, for example, to a network node in a system layer. A traffic and control manager can determine routing pathways for queries based at least in part on the relative replication latency data and performance conditions of network nodes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at a first network node, data indicative of a plurality of relative lag times for instantiation of a specific content item at a first plurality of network nodes, the specific content item being common for each network node of the first plurality of network nodes;   receiving, at the first network node, network performance data related to servicing a request for the specific content item for each network node of a second plurality of network nodes;   receiving a request for the specific content item from at least one network node of the second plurality of network nodes;   selecting a second network node of the second plurality of network nodes to service the request for the specific content item, the second network node of the second plurality of network nodes being configured based at least on the network performance data and a lag time for instantiation of the specific content item at a network node of the first plurality of network nodes associated with the second network node of the second plurality of network nodes; and   causing the second network node of the second plurality of network nodes to service the request.