Abstract: An adapter card for managing connections between clients and a network server off-loads the connection management burden from the server. The adapter card includes a memory with an embedded proxy application and a communication protocol stack, a processing unit for executing the application code, a network controller for interfacing with an internetwork, and a bus protocol bridge for interfacing with the internal bus of the network server. The proxy application receives client requests on behalf of the server over relatively slow and unreliable network connections, and submits the requests to the server over fast, reliable bus connections. A proxy cache provides storage for server responses, so that the proxy application can provide the stored responses to clients without re-accessing the server. Buffers are allocated to a particular client connection only after it is determined that data will be exchanged between the server and the client.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a general-purpose programmable packet-processing platform for accelerating network infrastructure applications which have been structured so as to separate the stages of classification and action. Network packet classification, execution of actions upon those packets, management of buffer flow, encryption services, and management of Network Interface Controllers are accelerated through the use of a multiplicity of specialized modules. A language interface is defined for specifying both stateless and stateful classification of packets and to associate actions with classification results in order to efficiently utilize these specialized modules.

Abstract: Downloading of an image to a digital signal processing (DSP) system in, e.g., a modem, allowing diverse applications to be processed by the same modem simply by changing the image loaded in to the DSP system at any time. The image is dynamically downloaded from an image repository having stored therein different images. The modem can directly access the repository directly via a data bus. Alternatively, where the modem is on a modem card having multiple modems or in a modem bank having multiple modems, a controller may control, with or without input from a user via a user interface, access to the repository. The timing of the dynamic download of an image may be event driven, interrupt driven, or driven by the content of the data stream received from a remote device, or a local device.

Abstract: A computer uses an environmental manager (20) to detect and respond to changing environmental conditions, in order to enhance and simplify a users interaction with the computer. Environment changes are detected by a plurality of informants (22), each of which has a specified function. Informants communicate through a CIM (26). The CIM (26) establishes communication channels with each informant regarding which information will be provided by the informant and which information that informant needs from other informants. Informants (22) may receive environmental information from a number of sources, including physical location detectors, hardware configurations, software configurations, and network connections. As environmental conditions change, the informants and applications may respond to the changes. A particular capability to respond is the autolaunch capability which detects user behavior and uses this knowledge to automatically load a program responsive to changing environmental conditions.

Abstract: A single database maintained centrally hosts both proxy service data and authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) data. Data is then copied to storage used locally by each system when both systems are instantiated. Therefore the ISP/Telco need not maintain two different data bases. A protocol gateway (PGW) is used to determine if the incoming user is a wholesale or retail user. The PGW filters the domain portion of the access request to locate a remote AAA service. If one such service is found, the PGW routes the communication via the proxy service to proxy it to the remote AAA service. The returned packet from the remote AAA service is then searched for an IP address to be assigned to the incoming user. If one is not found the PGW obtains a dynamically allocated IP address from a DHCP server (using an IP-Pool-ID if supplied in the returned packet from the remote AAA service). The same mechanism is used to forward accounting event packets from the NAS to the remote AAA server.

Abstract: An agent-adapter architecture used in systems and methods to integrate applications of the type normally deployed across a networked enterprise. A plurality of adapters, each of which is adapted to perform a discrete function associated with respective ones of the plurality of enterprise applications is encapsulated by an agent. The agent is extensible, including one or more embedded objects, each of which is adapted to perform a discrete function that may or may not be associated with respective ones of the plurality of enterprise applications.

Abstract: A method whereby credit card companies can program their computers to record and award Bonus Program Credits offered by airlines, hotels, rental car companies, etc. and relieve the latter of the burden of maintaining such records. This Abstract is not to be construed as a complete description of the invention or to limit the scope of the disclosure of the invention or of the claims.

Abstract: A network server is adapted to connect on the network with Internet appliances, and to fully configure such appliances over a network connection to access and operate on the Internet. In a preferred embodiment the appliances have first control routines adapted to cooperate with second routines at the server, and also a network address for connection. An initiation signal by a user at a network-connected appliance launches the first routines, causing the appliance to invoke the network address and to establish network communication with the server and to initiate configuration interaction. In some cases special telephone numbers are provided with new appliances, and the dial-up server, through Destination Number Information Service (DNIS) uses the dial-up number in conjunction with a data repository to select appropriate software for interfacing with and configuring a connecting appliance. A full range of services may be provided, including value-added services, such a browsers and browser configuration.

Abstract: A mesh processor array including a plurality of one-bit processor cells arranged in a matrix. Each processor receives inputs from adjacent processors or external sources and performs a logical function involving its own present state and the inputs thereto. Control circuitry provides control information indicative of a logical function to be performed to each of the processors in parallel, and pattern selection circuitry enables selected ones of the processors to respond to the control information.