Abstract: In an exemplary method, a computer system connects to a computer network that comprises one or more other computer systems. The computer system communicates with a remote system that is in electronic communication with the computer network via a communication link. The computer system coordinates its use of the communication link with the one or more other computer systems' use of the communication link such that a total bandwidth used by computer systems in the computer network does not exceed a defined maximum value.

Abstract: A method for using a policy for software distribution to computer systems on a computer network is disclosed. A first policy for software distribution is created. Software is provided on a first computer system to be distributed to a second computer system. The first policy to be used in distributing the software is identified. The software to be distributed is identified. The software to computer systems or groups is distributed.

Abstract: An exemplary method involves receiving a request to process a file comprising computer instructions. The file may be a script, a source code file, a binary file, etc. The method also involves identifying a digital signature embedded in comments within the file. The method also involves attempting to validate the digital signature. If the digital signature is validated, the file is processed. If the digital signature is not validated, the file is not processed. The file may include multiple digital signatures. When this occurs, the file may be processed only if all of the multiple digital signatures are validated. Alternatively, the file may be processed if any of the multiple digital signatures are validated.

Abstract: In an exemplary method, a computer system within a subnet of a computer network sends a discovery request to other computer systems within the subnet. The discovery request comprises a request for a resource. The computer system downloads an available portion of the resource from the other computer systems in the subnet. If there is a remaining portion of the resource that is not available from the other computer systems in the subnet but that is available from a remote source, and if there is at least one other computer system in the subnet that is also seeking to obtain the remaining portion of the resource, the computer system negotiates with the at least one other computer system about downloading the remaining portion of the resource from the remote source. If no other computers in the subnet require the resource, then the remaining portion of the resource may be downloaded directly from the remote source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to perform reliable and efficient automated task handling is described.

Abstract: A method for discovering agents operative on devices configured in a network by broadcasting discovery messages having a common format and containing data to the network devices and receiving reply messages having the same common format and containing data from the agents, and permitting new types of data within the messages without changing the common format.

Abstract: An exemplary method involves a remote control agent establishing a remote control session with another computer system. In response to the remote control session being established, the remote control agent requests that a monitoring component provide information about activity on the computer system during the remote control session. The monitoring component may be a process monitoring component, a file monitoring component, and/or another type of monitoring component. A logging component creates a log. The monitoring component provides the requested information, and the logging component records the information from the monitoring component in the log.

Abstract: A system for determining a spanning tree for a computer network is disclosed. The system includes a computing device and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium is part of the computing device or is in electronic communication with the computing device. The computer-readable medium comprises executable instructions for implementing a method for determining the spanning tree for the computer network. Multicast alias domains from the computer network are discovered. The discovery of communication metrics by the multicast alias domains is coordinated. The communication metrics from the multicast alias domains are determined. A minimum spanning tree for the computer network is constructed by using the communication metrics. The minimum spanning tree is stored and used in computer system administration.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate resource access using prioritized multicast responses to a discovery request.

Abstract: A system for determining a multicast domain for a node on a computer network is disclosed. The system includes a computing device and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium is part of the computing device or is in electronic communication with the computing device. The computer-readable medium comprises executable instructions for implementing a method for determining the multicast domain for the computing device. A destination is obtained that comprises a computer on the computer network. A unique identification is determined for a first router encountered when sending data from the computing device to the destination. A multicast domain identification is prepared based on the unique identification determined. The multicast domain identification is sent to an administrative system on the computer network.

Abstract: Numerous embodiments of a method and/or apparatus for disruption sensitive network data management are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, a determination is made of the network resources available to a computing system for exchange of data complying with a particular data protocol. A determination is then made of the network resources utilized by a computing system for exchange of data comprising a particular protocol, these two resource values are compared, and the resource allocation is altered in accordance with the comparison.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing the use of a software code by a selected application program are disclosed. The method includes detecting an instance of using the code, identifying the application program that is using the code, confirming a conflict between the code and the application, and reporting the conflict to one or more selected parties. Confirmation of the conflict may occur by using a database whose content includes a plurality of selected application programs, along with a corresponding plurality of proper software codes, such as DLL files, which are appropriate for each of the selected application programs to use. A computer workstation or networked computer system may embody the method in the form of instructions stored in a machine-accessible medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically discovering alias domains is described. A method comprises dynamically discovering a set of subnets, the set of subnets having visibility of a transmission and selecting a network element to perform the transmission, the network element being in one of the set of subnets.

Abstract: Repairing applications includes detecting a failure in a request for a file made by a program running on a device and initiating a repair mechanism that is configured to repair the detected failure.

Abstract: Embodiments of application based bandwidth limiting proxy servers are described.

Abstract: A software management system is disclosed. The system includes a vendor package template, a package importer, and a package agent. The vendor package template provides a script to install, upgrade, and remove at least one software package. The package importer receives the software package, and creates a package document (X-package) based on the vendor package template. The package agent receives, deploys and executes the X-package at a target computer.

Abstract: A method of multicasting data from a server computer to a plurality of client computers includes receiving a request for data from one of the plurality of client computers. The method further includes determining whether to multicast the data in response to the request and multicasting the data to the plurality of clients based on the request if it is determined to multicast.

Abstract: Numerous embodiments of a method and/or apparatus for disruption sensitive network data management are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, a determination is made of the network resources available to a computing system for exchange of data complying with a particular data protocol. A determination is then made of the network resources utilized by a computing system for exchange of data comprising a particular protocol, these two resource values are compared, and the resource allocation is altered in accordance with the comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate resource access using prioritized multicast responses to a discovery request.

Abstract: Local application proxy (LAP) arrangements.