PREEMPTIVE ADDRESS MAPPING FOR SERVER LOAD BALANCING

A method and an apparatus for global server load balancing are described. Attributes of a set of network addresses may be maintained. Each network address may be assignable to a device capable of accessing a service via a domain name. A set of servers may be provided for hosting the service of the domain name. A mapping relationship between the network addresses and a set of preferences among the servers may be determined based on the attributes. Multiple network addresses may share a common preference. An association data may be generated to represent the mapping relationship. Multiple network addresses may be collectively represented in the association data to be associated with a common preference. A device can reach one of the servers according to the association data in real time asynchronous to when the association data is generated.