Abstract: Methods and systems for demonstrating a service that provides a computerized transaction to a client via a server coupled to a computer network. One aspect of the invention is a method for demonstrating a virtual server service using a host server system over a computer network. A particular embodiment of the method can comprise receiving a first request from a prospective client via a prospective client system to demonstrate the virtual server service. This embodiment of the method can include sending a simulated control window of the virtual server service via a host server system to the prospective client system in response to the first request. The simulated control window can have a plurality of demonstration components that simulate corresponding system administration components of an active control window that active clients use to configure the virtual server service.

Abstract: Techniques are described for employing virtual network address information in communications with other computing devices or software programs. In some circumstances, the techniques are used by a computing device that hosts multiple virtual domains each having a distinct domain name and having one or more virtual users of the domain. If so, the host computing device communicates with others on behalf of the virtual domains or virtual users by employing virtual network address information as part of the communications.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel system for authoring and publishing hypermedia works. The present invention includes a scrollable contents map window in which a graphical representation of a hypermedia work is displayed. The contents map window contains graphical lexia symbols representing the lexia of the hypermedia work, empty space, and other graphical and text elements. Links between lexia are not ordinarily displayed. Selecting a lexia symbol causes the corresponding lexia to be displayed in a lexia display window. The lexia symbols representing lexia may be arranged in the window in any configuration. Freely movable text labels and other graphical elements may be placed anywhere in the contents map window. Additional special purpose graphical elements may be placed in the contents map window to create relationships among lexia. In one embodiment, a number of different modes of the contents map window can be displayed. One mode is a caricature mode.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium is described for providing access to remote users to allow dynamic updating of configuration information in active use. In some situations, the configuration information being dynamically updated is various types of Domain Name System (DNS) information, including DNS resource records, configuration records, whois records, and delegation records. Depending on the manner in which configuration information is stored and used by a computer, that configuration information can be dynamically updated in different manners. The remote access can be provided in various ways, such as by providing a Web page to the user including the DNS information to be modified and selectable indications that send a request or instruction to modify the DNS information.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that translates host names into Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. This system includes a plurality of name servers that are configured to translate host names into corresponding IP addresses. This system also includes a plurality of load balancers coupled to the plurality of name servers. Each of these load balancers is configured to receive requests for host name translations, and to distribute these requests between the plurality of name servers in order to balance load across the plurality of name servers. Note that these load balancers are configured to operate in parallel in distributing requests between the plurality of name servers. A variation on the above embodiment provides a system that performs failovers between a plurality of load balancers that are configured to balance requests for host name to IP address translations between a plurality of name servers.

Abstract: A web hosting system comprises a plurality of geographically separate web hosting facilities with a plurality of servers located at each of the facilities having internet resources hosted thereon. A network accessible centralized database remote from at least some of the web hosting facilities contains information comprising one or more of server serial number, server model, server facility location, server location within a facility, server speed, server memory capacity, server traffic, and server software configuration for at least some of the servers. In some embodiments, different users are allowed to access different information in the database.

Abstract: A network server runs a routine that is triggered by an external database management program. The routine receives configuration parameters from the database, and configures application programs resident on the server in accordance therewith.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that schedules processes within an operating system based upon virtual server identifiers, wherein the operating system supports multiple virtual servers that operate within separate virtual environments on a single computing platform. Upon detecting an event that causes a scheduling priority for a process to be updated, the system looks up a virtual server identifier for the process. This virtual server identifier specifies a virtual server and an associated virtual environment that the process operates within. Next, the system uses the virtual server identifier to look up a scheduling priority associated with the virtual server, and then calculates an updated scheduling priority for the process based upon the scheduling priority for the virtual server.

Abstract: A network server manager includes a database of application program configuration parameters. The server manager additionally includes a dispatch module for routing configuration parameters to network servers so as to maintain synchronization between the database content and the configuration of the network servers.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium is described for dynamically incorporating updates to configuration information in active use and for providing access to the updated configuration information as appropriate. In some situations, the configuration information being dynamically updated is various types of Domain Name System (DNS) information, including DNS resource records, configuration records, whois records, and delegation records. Depending on the manner in which configuration information is stored and used by a computer, that configuration information can be dynamically updated in different manners. When configuration information is stored in multiple data files and is also cached in memory, an update file can be maintained to indicate the stored data files that have been updated more recently than their corresponding cached information.

Abstract: A system includes a client subsystem and a network service provider subsystem that is coupled to the client subsystem. The network service provider subsystem is adapted to establish a connection between the network service provider subsystem and the client subsystem. The connection has an allocated bandwidth. The network service provider subsystem is further adapted to during the connection, receive a request from the client subsystem to increase the allocated bandwidth and selectively increase the allocated bandwidth in response to the request during the connection.

Abstract: Computer facilities and computer storage systems for such facilities. In one embodiment, a computer storage system for a co-location computer facility comprises a rack, a first cable guard and at least a first computer storage unit. The rack can comprise a first upright having a first height and a second upright spaced laterally apart from the first upright. The cable guard can be attached to the first upright, and the cable guard can be an enclosure extending along the first upright for at least a portion of the first height of the rack. The cable guard can also include a lockable door on a first side of the enclosure. The first computer storage unit can have several different configurations. In one embodiment, the first computer storage unit comprises a first rigid case removably attached to the first and second uprights, a first door movably attached to the first case, and a first lock attached to the first door. The first case generally has a second height less than the first height of the first upright.