The MirrorBrain
A Download Redirector and Metalink Generator
The openSUSE download redirector (a.k.a. the MirrorBrain) automatically redirects clients (per HTTP redirection) to a mirror server near them. It works similar to the systems employed by sourceforge.net, mozilla.com or similar large organizations, which face a number of download requests which is too high to be practically handled by a single site. To find a mirror close to the client, the redirector employs geolocation of the client's IP address. If several mirrors are suitable, the redirector load-balances requests to the mirrors based on their capabilities.
The mirrors could be machines controlled by you, where you host copies of the content of the main site -- or it could be mirrors operated by other organizations. If you control the machines yourself, it is easier to plan for maintenance and downtimes of machines. If not, the mirrorbrain framework tries hard to monitor the mirrors closely to notice downtimes.