Method of automatically selecting a mirror server for web-based client-host interaction

A method of selecting a mirror server for client-host interaction over a network provides automatic, user-transparent, selection of a particular mirror server from among multiple mirror servers that replicate a host server providing web content over the Internet. The method selects the mirror server that has the best response time for a given client computer requesting web content under changing web traffic and mirror server load conditions. The host server creates and maintains a list of addresses of available mirror servers, preferably ranked according to the load on the mirror servers. In response to an initial information request from the client computer, the host server sends the mirror server list to the client computer along with the requested web content. The client computer creates multiple mirror server requests, corresponding to the mirror servers on the address list, sends the requests to the mirror servers, then compares the round trip response times to determine the optimum mirror server site from which to continue subsequent client-host interaction. The invention also includes methods and apparatus, preferably in the form of computer program products, which are operable at the host server, to create, maintain and send the address list, and other methods and apparatus operable at the client computer, to receive the list, query the mirror servers and select the optimum mirror server for further interaction.