DATABASE SYSTEM

A database access method includes receiving a data request at a switcher system from another computer, selecting a connection to a database system from among a collection of connections, and communicating with the database system across the selected connection to fulfill the data request. A computer program residing on a computer readable medium includes instructions for causing a computer to receive a data request from another computer, select a connection to a database system from among a number of connections to the database system, and communicate with the database system across the selected connection to fulfill the data request. A network of interconnected computing devices may include network elements configured by the computer program to implement the invention.