Method and apparatus for clustered Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) acceleration where two or more SSL relays are connected in a cluster. Information is transferred between a first node (typically, the client) and one of the SSL relays where the transferred information is related to communication between the first node and a second node (typically, the server). The state information of an SSL connection between the first node and the one SSL relay is clustered. The clustering includes sharing the state information between the one SSL relay and each of the one or more SSL relays. Any of the SSL relays can take over all connections of another of the clustered SSL relays therefore, providing no interruption in the communication should any of the SSL relays fail.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/279,441, filed Mar. 29, 2001, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
