Abstract: A content distribution system distributes a content key and content use conditions for controlling a content use in a client apparatus to the client apparatus, via a communication channel, from either a multicast distribution server or a unicast distribution server. A content distribution management server determines by which distribution method to send the content key and content use conditions of each content according to an attribute of the content (a compression format, a compression ratio, a content holder, and the like). An encrypted content distribution server distributes only encrypted content whose content key and content use conditions are to be distributed by the unicast, and the multicast distribution server distributes encrypted content whose content key and content use conditions are superimposed by the multicast.

Abstract: Replica placement in a network of nodes is provided. Nodes are selected for replica placement to satisfy location-based preferences. Additionally, nodes are selected for replica placement to spread replicas of the same data over different fault domains and upgrade domains. In some instances, nodes may be selected for replica placement based on load-based information for the nodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus updates software data for an interface unit that interfaces a portable audio/video player with another audio/video system. When the portable audio/video players are updated by adding new features, etc., the method and apparatus enables the users to obtain the corresponding update file for the interface unit in the same manner that the user obtains the music file. Thus, the user can easily and quickly obtain the update file for updating the interface unit and store it in the portable audio/video player in the same manner as the music files. For executing the update operation, the user selects the update file from the play list and starts playing the update file on the portable audio/video player while connecting it to the interface unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the automatic configuration of digital utility meters. One embodiment provides for pre-producing digital devices, the digital devices comprising integrated module components, configured for communication with a data management system via a wireless network and further configured for monitoring capability, producing a list file associated with the digital devices and including identities for each integrated module component, activating a digital devices using the wireless network, and distributing deployment information to the digital device from at least one configuration server via the wireless network, including customer data for configuring the digital device and for registering the digital device with a transaction management system.

Abstract: A method for operating a network of point of presence servers includes receiving a request from a user for a web page at a first web address, determining traffic loads of a plurality of customer web servers, determining a customer web server from the plurality of customer web servers, the customer web server having a traffic load lower than traffic loads of remaining customer web servers, directing the request from the user to the customer web server, receiving a request from the user for static content on the web page at a second web address, determining the point of presence server from the network of point of presence servers that is appropriate for the request, the point of presence server having service metrics more appropriate than service metrics of remaining point of presence servers from the network.

Abstract: System and method for removing threads from discussion groups based on ratings of the individual posts within the thread. If a user takes the time to rate a post positively, then the post (and the thread) is considered to be useful to the entire community and should not be deleted. To rate the post, a window is displayed to the user whenever the post is open and queries the user whether the post is useful. A positive rating resets a delete date associated with the post. If there is not positive rating of a post, the thread may be considered useful if the originator of a post marks the post as being answered, in which case delete clock is reset. If however, none of the posts within the thread are rated positively, then the thread is considered not be useful and deleted.

Abstract: A system for monitoring performance parameters relating to a user network interface (“UNI”) in a communication network is provided. The system comprises a message source parser module, a translator module, and a message recording module. The message source parser module is operative to examine an exception message sent by a network element in the communication network. The message source parser module is also operative to determine which network component the message relates to. The translator module is operative to determine if the message is related to one or more UNIs in the network. The message recording module is operative to post information from the message to one or more data records that correspond to the one or more UNIs identified by the translator module.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improving utilization in a peer-to-peer network. Each node in a peer-to-peer network is assigned a number of preferably fixed-size storage slots proportional to the node storage, a first portion of which is allocated to storage zones and a second portion of which is allocated as a free slot reserve. In accordance with an embodiment of an aspect of the invention, this split of a storage zone is delayed until the storage zone becomes full, referred to herein as “lazy splitting”. In accordance with an embodiment of another aspect of the invention, it is advantageous to allocate more storage slots at a node than its actual physical capacity referred to herein as “oversubscription”. In accordance with an embodiment of another aspect of the invention, each physical node is allocated at least one storage zone, even as a new node is added to the system.

Abstract: A network router initially communicates over a primary data path. Upon detection of an error condition associated with the primary data path, the network router initiates a layer 2 switch such that the communication occurring over the primary data path is switched to a backup data path. The layer 2 switch is preferably transparent to a layer 3 portion of the network router.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product is provided for establishing real-time communications between computer users connected by a communications network. An invitation is created by a first computer. An invitation is data that proposes a communication session. An invitation can indicate the status or availability of the sending user or of some other resource. Creation of the invitation is followed by the transfer of the invitation from the first computer to at least one second computer. The invitation can be transferred electronically through the network, or physically, by the transfer of a magnetic medium bearing the invitation. The invitation contains parameters to configure an invitation communicator application for communications between the first and second computers. The second computer accepts the invitation and invokes an invitation communicator application to allow communication.

Abstract: A personal broadcast server system provides a customized broadcast to one or more users over a transmission media. A data storage device stores a plurality of broadcast elements. A data management system stores a user profile and a user state for each of the one or more users and also stores information associated with each of the plurality of broadcast elements. A broadcast element selector, having at least one broadcast element selector functions, selects broadcast elements from the data storage device based on information contained in the data management system. A broadcast server receives the selected broadcast elements from the data storage device and provides the selected broadcast elements to a user over the transmission media. The personal broadcast server system may provide streaming audio, streaming video, or other forms of broadcast signals.

Abstract: A method and system for handing-off TCP states in a communication network. Specifically, the present invention allows for handing-off TCP states between nodes in an associated network that is optimized for rare handoff of TCP states. The handoff occurs between dynamically loadable modules that wrap around the TCP/IP stack located at a front-end node and a selected back-end web server. A handoff protocol implemented by the loadable modules works within the kernel level of the existing TCP/IP code. As such, no changes to the existing TCP/IP code is necessary. The loadable modules at the front-end are able to select a back-end web server depending on the content of the web request, coordinate handing off TCP states, and forward packets to the back-end web server. Loadable modules at the selected back-end modify response packets going out to reflect the proper TCP state of the front-end node.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for providing decentralized load sharing, e.g., providing a protocol that can be used to address load balancing without the need of a central proxy device. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention addresses the decentralized load sharing problem, by allowing a group of servers to detect when more than one server attempts to process the same “work request” from a client. To address the potential conflict, each server will implement a back-off strategy for negotiating which server will actually process the work request.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes capturing service properties in one or more service process profiles, receiving a request for service, and interrogating the request and possible services by reviewing service properties captured in the service process profiles. A computer architecture includes a service manage profile and a service meter profile. A computer infrastructure includes a service component including a service-oriented architecture and a serviceware component including a manager for interpreting the service-oriented architecture.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for administering devices that include creating a user metric vector including a plurality of disparate user metrics, creating a plurality of user metric spaces, each user metric space including a plurality of metric ranges, and selecting, from the plurality of user metric spaces, a user metric space. Administering devices also includes determining whether the user metric vector is outside the selected user metric space, identifying an action in dependence upon the user metric vector, if the user metric vector is outside the selected user metric space, and executing the action.

Abstract: A service policy manager may be used to enable a first subscriber in a community to administer rules on another subscriber in the same community. A service selection gateway (SSG) may then be configured according to the rules to provides services according to the rules. As a result, the services provided to a subscriber depend not just on the individual profile of the subscriber, but also potentially on the rules administered by other members of the communities the subscriber is a part of.

Abstract: A local network is interfaced with one or more external network elements via a gateway that implements an address substitution mechanism for ensuring that communications between devices attached to the local network are not routed through an external network as a result of, e.g., disparity in their remotely-assigned Internet protocol (IP) addresses. In accordance with the invention, the gateway is configured to intercept communications from devices on the local network in order to determine remotely-assigned IP address information for those devices. After such information is determined for a given device, the gateway creates a set of address substitution information that includes sub-network compatible addresses for use by other devices on the local network when communicating with the given device.

Abstract: A system that associates physical locations with network-linked devices in a network to which such devices are connected. This system employs a variety of techniques for establishing device location. The system configuration can vary and can include any type of data network, including LANs, MANs, Wide Area Networks (WANs), Personal Area Networks (PANs), and Home Networks. The system provides location information for particular devices to the network devices and management, and may be used in any of a variety of ways to improve configuration accuracy, control, and security. The location information may also be used to control or secure a device itself.

Abstract: In a hierarchical network configuration, if transfer of data, such as requirements and responses therefrom and thereto, are executed in a relay manner between plural manager systems and managed systems on network routes, the requirements and the responses are duplicated in each manager system, thereby presenting a problem of increased amounts of data transfer on the network. It is possible to prevent the data transfer amounts from increasing not only on one route but also on plural routes by determining whether to update data on the basis of names of a manager system in upper layers, route information and so forth.

Abstract: In a management system, computing devices collect sample performance values that describe utilization or usage of resources or processes. The sample performance values may be in the form of performance data or performance counters. Sample performance values are either sent or not sent to a management server, based on a delta value of a current collected sample performance value and a last current collected sample value. Plots may be constructed based on actual received sample performance values and interpolated, or estimated sample performance values based on a known frequency at which the sample performance values are collected.