Question: About creating multiuser servers.

[xanatose]

Basically I need to create a server that receives financial data from diferent providers, (with diferent protocols unfortunately), chooses the best prices and then relay it to multiple clients using and internal binary protocol (for speed reasons). It will also receive orders from the clients and relay them. (converting again from binary to whatever protocol the provider uses).

I have an idea on how to make it, but I would really want to read more about creation of multi-user and multi-machine servers, how to make them fast, secure, and expandable to multiple machines as the need arises. Can anyone recomend a good book on the subject?