Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for authenticating a user logging in to an operating system stored on an encrypted drive. A system configured to practice the method presents a login prompt and receives credentials from a user. The system accesses the operating system on the encrypted drive based on the credentials and starts the operating system. Then the system authenticates the user on the operating system based on the credentials, such as via login forwarding. The system can set up a unified login by receiving a request to encrypt a storage device, and based on received user credentials, generating user data associated with logging in to an operating system on the computing device and user data for encrypting the storage device. The system stores the user data in a manner to enable a unified login boot prompt.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and system for peer to peer input output. The present invention is implemented on a computer system having a microprocessor and a packet switched router coupled to the microprocessor. The peer to peer input output system of the present invention defines a data source corresponding to a first device coupled to the computer system. The system then defines a data sink corresponding to a second device coupled to said computer system. The packet switch router is subsequently used to logically implement a data pipe between the data source and the data sink. The system configures the data pipe to provide adequate bandwidth between the data source and the data sink such that a data transfer occurs smoothly and predictably. The data transfer is performed via the data pipe such that the data transfer proceeds independently of any simultaneous second data transfer in the packet switched router.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and system for implementing prioritized communications in a computer system. The present invention is implemented on a computer system having a microprocessor and a plurality of peripheral devices coupled to the computer system. The system of the present invention determines a first priority level and determines a second priority level. The system of the present invention receives a bandwidth allocation request from a software process to transfer data at the first priority level between two or more peripheral devices. The system subsequently allocates a first priority data transfer bandwidth between the devices in response to the request and performs a first data transfer between the devices using the first priority data transfer bandwidth. In addition, the system of the present invention performs a second data transfer between other devices using a second priority data transfer bandwidth. The second data transfer occurs at a second priority level.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and system for implementing prioritized communications in a computer system. The present invention is implemented on a computer system having a microprocessor and a plurality of peripheral devices coupled to the computer system. The system of the present invention determines a first priority level and determines a second priority level. The system of the present invention receives a bandwidth allocation request from a software process to transfer data at the first priority level between two or more peripheral devices. The system subsequently allocates a first priority data transfer bandwidth between the devices in response to the request and performs a first data transfer between the devices using the first priority data transfer bandwidth. In addition, the system of the present invention performs a second data transfer between other devices using a second priority data transfer bandwidth. The second data transfer occurs at a second priority level.