Abstract: Method and system for detecting a dead server in a multi-server environment. A virtual ring structure is used in which each server in a server pool is only required to monitor the status of two other servers in the server pool. Thus, a server need only transmit ping signals to two other servers (its buddies) in the server pool at any given time. Because each server maintains the status of only two other servers at any given time, the size of the server pool is not limited by the ability of each server to send and process ping signals. The two servers which are monitored by any given server in the server pool are referred to as the “buddy A” server and the “buddy B” server. When the monitoring server determines that one of its buddy servers is down, the monitoring server reports the status of the down server to a SQL server that maintains a server table. The server table maintains a list of each “live” server and the buddy servers assigned to that server. Down servers are removed from the server table.

Abstract: Techniques to install an application module and a temporary certificate are described. In an implementation, an application module is installed on a client device. When online access is available, a temporary certificate is obtained anonymously from a service provider to enable one or more online components of the application module for a predetermined amount of time. An input may also be received to communicate credentials of the user to obtain a permanent certification.

Abstract: The present invention extends to generic collection and delivery of telemetry data. A telemetry component receives telemetry data, through a common telemetry interface that is accessible to a plurality of applications, from an application. The received telemetry data is aggregated with any existing telemetry in a telemetry database. In response to a detected event, the telemetry component sends the telemetry data, via a corresponding telemetry stream, to a telemetry service. The telemetry service receives the telemetry message, via the corresponding telemetry stream, from the telemetry component. The telemetry service extracts telemetry data and identifies one or more pluggable telemetry handlers that have registered for the telemetry data. The telemetry service dispatches the extracted telemetry data to the one or more identified pluggable telemetry handlers. The telemetry service acknowledges receipt of the telemetry data to the telemetry component.

Abstract: The present invention extends to checking for and accessing software component updates through a common content manager. A content communication aggregates the received message states of software components into a aggregated update request representing the message state of the software components. The content communication manager sends and a content manger receives the aggregated update request. The content manager determines if updated content for any software components is available. The content manager generates a message list including any messages that are to be sent to the one or more software components. Each message in the message list corresponds to a software component and indicating if any content is available for the software component. The content manager sends and the content communication manager receives the message list. The content communication manager distributes messages to corresponding software components such that the software components can subsequently access any available content.

Abstract: Method and system for detecting a dead server in a multi-server environment. A virtual ring structure is used in which each server in a server pool is only required to monitor the status of two other servers in the server pool. Thus, a server need only transmit ping signals to two other servers (its buddies) in the server pool at any given time. Because each server maintains the status of only two other servers at any given time, the size of the server pool is not limited by the ability of each server to send and process ping signals. The two servers which are monitored by any given server in the server pool are referred to as the “buddy A” server and the “buddy B” server. When the monitoring server determines that one of its buddy servers is down, the monitoring server reports the status of the down server to a SQL server that maintains a server table. The server table maintains a list of each “live” server and the buddy servers assigned to that server. Down servers are removed from the server table.

Abstract: Method and system for detecting a dead server in a multi-server environment. A virtual ring structure is used in which each server in a server pool is only required to monitor the status of two other servers in the server pool. Thus, a server need only transmit ping signals to two other servers (its buddies) in the server pool at any given time. Because each server maintains the status of only two other servers at any given time, the size of the server pool is not limited by the ability of each server to send and process ping signals. The two servers which are monitored by any given server in the server pool are referred to as the “buddy A” server and the “buddy B” server. When the monitoring server determines that one of its buddy servers is down, the monitoring server reports the status of the down server to a SQL server that maintains a server table. The server table maintains a list of each “live” server and the buddy servers assigned to that server. Down servers are removed from the server table.