Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards managing unsolicited email messages, and the like, in part, by providing segmentation of an email inbox. In one embodiment, the email inbox is segmented into segments associated with a message from a trusted, trusted email address, an untrusted email address, and a segment for a bulk email message, such as spam, and the like. A determination that the message is from a trusted email address may be made based, in part, on whether the email address is associated with one's address book, a degree of separation that may be determined based on an association with another's address book, whether the email address was a sent email address, and the like. By segmenting the email inbox, the invention minimizes a risk associated with incorrectly discarding a message from a desired, but untrusted source.

Abstract: A network system connects with processes P1 to P5 that can mutually send and receive a broadcast message specified with no destination and a message specified with a specific process portion and change their states to parent or child processes. For example, process P1 is a parent process and processes P2 to P4 are child processes. When processes P1 to P4 constitute a group, each of child processes P2 to P4 stores parent process P1. Parent process P1 stores each of child processes P2 to P4 that store itself (P1). When process P5 in another group is connected, parent process P1 exchanges a message with process P5 for negotiation to determine either to be a parent process and change the other to a child process.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for sending transmission control protocol (TCP) messages in a local area network (LAN). The method comprises: selecting a TCP streaming application; transmitting message segments at a rate responsive to a congestion window parameter; and, maintaining at least the congestion window parameter during the session, regardless of idle time between transmitted segments. In some aspects, the method further comprises: selecting a threshold level. Then, incrementing the congestion window parameter with an increment in response to receiving acknowledgements includes increasing the congestion window parameter until the congestion window parameter equals the threshold level. Additionally, the method further comprises: in response to not receiving an acknowledgment, maintaining the threshold level; and, in response to not receiving an acknowledgement, maintaining the congestion window parameter.

Abstract: Using parental controls includes storing parental control information on a user device and receiving a request from the user device to access a destination over a communications network. Parental control information stored on the user device may be used to determine whether to grant the request from the user device. When the parental control information indicates that the request should be allowed, the user device allows access to the destination. When the parental control information indicates that the request should be denied, the user device denies access to the destination. Information that is related to the parental control information stored on the user device may be stored on a remote device. The parental control information stored on the user device may be verified using the information stored on the remote device.

Abstract: A client terminal searches for servers on a home network when a song-data playback application is started up. When the client terminal receives a response from a server which was in connection therewith at the preceding operation, the client terminal establishes a preferential connection with the server and stops a process of searching for the servers. The client terminal obtains a list of album names and song data from the connected server so as to display the list, and plays back song data selected by a user by streaming.

Abstract: A computing system includes a physical server having a single instance of an operating system; and a plurality of virtual environments running on the physical server and directly supported by the single instance of the operating system. Each virtual environment responds to requests from users and appears to the users as a stand-alone server having its own instance of the operating system. Each virtual environment has a plurality of objects associated with it and supported by the operating system. Some of the objects are private and other objects are shared between multiple virtual environments. One virtual environment cannot access private objects of another virtual environment.

Abstract: A method of operating a network system may involve receiving data indicating a configuration of components that are included in the network system, detecting a failure of one of the components, computing an availability (e.g., by calculating the instantaneous availability) of the network system from the data in response to detecting the failure, and storing data indicative of the availability of the network system.

Abstract: A computer system is structured, including a plurality of computers sharing a storage apparatus. The computers each include a control section for determining an access priority based on an attribute of a client computer forwarding an access request. In the control section, the result derived by adding up the priorities is compared with the total value of the priorities calculated by other computers for assignment of an input/output bandwidth. In accordance with the priority assignment, access execution is performed in order of priority. With such a structure, access congestions can be favorably avoided through efficient bandwidth control, and bandwidth assignment can be performed on a server basis in accordance with processes executed by the client computers.

Abstract: Data migration from an existing NAS to a new NAS and processing of access from a client are executed in parallel. A migration destination NAS inherits the host name and IP address of a migration source NAS. The network environment parameters of the migration source NAS are changed to different values. The migration destination NAS causes data to migrate from a migration source storage region, in which a shared file system of the migration source NAS is mounted, to a migration destination storage region. In a case where there is an access request from the client during data migration, the migration destination NAS selects one of the storage region in correspondence to the migration status of the requested data and provides that data. Data of a “not copied” status is provided from the migration source storage region. Data of a “copied” status is provided from the migration destination storage region.

Abstract: According to the present invention, improved techniques for monitoring and managing access and activity at individual devices in a networked environment. Specific embodiments can provide individual and workplace productivity enhancement through self-regulation enforced by peer-group monitoring of network and application usage. In accordance with the specific embodiments of the present invention, techniques that reveal activity of individual users at any device, such as a computer telephone, or other device, within the network environment can be used to analyze flows of information within an enterprise, workplace productivity, network security and other applications in enterprises, including business entities, technical entities, and governmental entities. Specific embodiments provide systems, methods, computer programs and apparatus for monitoring activity at networked entities, such as individual devices, computers, other devices, or other networked computing entities.

Abstract: A network system connects with processes P1 to P5 that can mutually send and receive a broadcast message specified with no destination and a message specified with a specific process portion and change their states to parent or child processes. For example, process P1 is a parent process and processes P2 to P4 are child processes. When processes P1 to P4 constitute a group, each of child processes P2 to P4 stores parent process P1. Parent process P1 stores each of child processes P2 to P4 that store itself (P1). When process P5 in another group is connected, parent process P1 exchanges a message with process P5 for negotiation to determine either to be a parent process and change the other to a child process.

Abstract: Techniques are described for centralized management of quality of service (QoS) characteristics of network data flows. A service management system maintains a database that associates access information, such as a username and password, with QoS information. A router of other network device associates a data flow with access information, and queries the service management system with the access information to obtain the QoS information. The router forwards data of the data flow in accordance with the QoS information obtained from the service management system. As the access information may be a username and password, an existing system, such as a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) system, may easily be adapted for use as the service management system. As a result, QoS information may easily be centrally managed for numerous routers or other network devices.

Abstract: To reduce the total amount of reply messages in broadcasting and to make effective use of the bandwidth of a communication route without assuming an error rate in advance. Data is broadcasted to a plurality of receivers (step 11), then a maximum message length of reply messages from the receivers is calculated (step 13), and a backoff time of the reply messages is calculated (step 14). The maximum message length and the backoff time is sent to the receivers (step 15), then the reply messages having lengths of up to the specified maximum message length are generated by the receivers (step 17), and the reply messages are sent from the receivers at any time within the specified backoff time (step 19).

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for efficient and flexible testing of data communication over computer networks. The system generates traffic streams and sends them to at least one server, and receives in return replying traffic streams. Traffic outgoing streams are generated in accordance with test parameters set by a test session creator. The system generates and receives dynamic traffic streams, and further has the capability to control the traffic rate of the reply traffic streams.

Abstract: A user uses a lurker to check a colleague's location electronically. If the colleague is at the location and a device is available for communicating with the colleague, a communications channel is established between a device near the lurker and the colleague's device, and communication can begin.

Abstract: A file server program that performs proper load distribution among a plurality of file servers. One of the plurality of file servers judges whether to perform a process in compliance with a request to manipulate a file on the basis of judgment conditions predefined for judging which process of processes performed by a cluster it should take charge of when it receives the request to manipulate a file of requests to manipulate a file sent to the plurality of file servers included in the cluster. If it judges that it must perform a process in compliance with the request to manipulate a file, it performs a process on a storage device which it manages in compliance with the request to manipulate a file.

Abstract: In a storage server on a storage area network, a media unit manager manages disk space in a manner transparent to the host computers. The media unit manager uses media units corresponding to the physical storage devices on the storage area network to build higher-level media units. The higher level media units can have the attributes of being sliced, concatenated, mirrored, striped, etc. Thus, the host computers need not be aware of the specific physical storage devices themselves, reducing the management and reconfiguration burden on the host computers when storage devices are added to or removed from the storage area network.

Abstract: A system for processing data packets in a data packet network has at least one input port for receiving data packets, at least one output port for sending out data packets, a processor for processing packet data, and a packet predictor for predicting a future packet based on a received packet, such that at least some processing for the predicted packet may be accomplished before the predicted packet actually arrives at the system. The system is used in preferred embodiments in Internet routers.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving an electronic information service (also called an online graphical message service) hosted by a computer system (e.g., a server) connected to a network. Remote users can write information into and read information from the information service over the network. In response to a request from a first user, the service may create a first information object that comprises a partial area of a virtual pixel area. The virtual pixel area may include information written by the remote users. Then, the service may transmit the first information object via the network to the first user. Later, the service may receive a second information object from the first user corresponding to at least part of the partial area of the virtual pixel area. The second information object may include modifications the first user made to the partial area of the virtual pixel area. The service may then update the virtual pixel area utilizing the received second information object.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for extending the protocol synchronization period between a PPP client and a PPP server, wherein the PPP server is located on a wireless communication device. In one aspect, the PPP server generates and sends an IPCP Configure-Nak message to the PPP client whenever the PPP client sends an IPCP Configure-Request message, wherein an arbitrary non-zero value is deliberately sent as the primary DNS address, the secondary DNS address, the primary WINS address, or the secondary WINS address is sent in the IPCP Configure-Nak message. The IP address is deliberately omitted from the IPCP Configure-Nak message.