Abstract: The client application provides VCR functionality in a data-centered video multicast network (36) through active prefetching of the fragments from broadcast channels. The player (10) has a user interface (12) that supports a plurality of VCR functions (14–26). Plural buffers (32) and their associated loaders (34) download video data under control of a manager module (38). The manager module accesses the playback pointer (40) and employs feasible point calculation module (42) to cause the loaders to selectively download segments so that VCR functions can be supported while maintaining continuous playback after the VCR function is performed.

Abstract: A residential networking architecture and method for transferring files between a residential electronics device and a remote server provide reduced costs, simplified implementation and enhanced functionality. The method provides for establishing a proxy session with a file transfer protocol (FTP) client of the electronics device over a single connection communications link. An FTP session is established with the remote server over a dual connection communications link. The method further provides for mapping messages between the FTP session and the proxy session such that the messages are transferred between the electronics device and the remote server.

Abstract: A distributed file system using autonomous disks is disclosed. The file system includes autonomous data disks that store the application data of the distributed file system. Legacy attribute disks store the file system's meta-data and directory structure. The directory structure is stored on the legacy attribute disks using the native file system. One of the clients of the file systems is utilized as a configuration manager to control access to the system. The distributed file system employs agents to support real-time applications and concurrent read/write to files.