1. A computer-implemented method for limiting a request rate from a client based on a health state of a server system, the method comprising: monitoring a server system; determining a measure of health of the server system, wherein the measure of health comprises a matrix of health values; sending the determined measure of health to a client submitting a request to the server system; and, receiving a subsequent request from the client that is delayed by a time period, wherein the time period is based at least in part upon the determined measure of health.