A stream manager provides a way of redirecting and managing messaging and
information access in a packet network environment. The stream manager can
include a computer-based router or server that behaves as if it were a
gateway for a sub-network of destination site servers, and the stream
manager is linked to a packet network, such as the Internet. The stream
manager receives over the packet network a message from a user's host
server initiated by a user and intended for a destination site. The
message bears an address for the stream manager which is provided to the
host server by the address server for the packet network, such as a server
utilized as part of the domain name system. The stream manager determines
the availability of at least one destination server at the destination
site to receive and process the message. If a destination server at the
destination site is available to receive and process the message, the
stream manager selects a destination server from those available, and
initiates the routing of the message to the selected destination server.
If a destination site is unavailable, the stream manager may report that
to the host server, along with other information (such as customer care or
promotional information).
