Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a switch for a network, and specifically the dynamic allocation of buffer memory within the switch. A communication channel is established between the switch and a network device. The switch configures and allocates a portion of memory to a receive socket buffer for the established channel. Upon receipt of a signal from the network device, the switch allocates a second portion of memory to the receive socket buffer.

Abstract: At least one of a method, a client computing device, and a server computing device for communicating data associated with a virtual machine are described. In one example, a client computing device is communicatively coupled to a network. A first set of data representative of at least a portion of a virtual machine disk image accessible on the network is determined, the first set of data comprising data arranged in a first sequence. From this first set of data, a second set of data is determined for communication to the client computing device over the network, the second set of data comprising at least a portion of the first set of data arranged in a second sequence, the second sequence being different from the first sequence.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a switch for a network, and specifically the dynamic allocation of buffer memory within the switch. A communication channel is established between the switch and a network device. The switch configures and allocates a portion of memory to a receive socket buffer for the established channel. Upon receipt of a signal from the network device, the switch allocates a second portion of memory to the receive socket buffer.

Abstract: User data stored on a first computer in a network is backed up to a computer which is one of a plurality of other computers in the network. The user data may be backed-up because a new operating system is to be installed. A request message indicating that the user data needs to be backed up is transmitted from the first computer to the network and is received at the other computers. One of the other computers is selected based on data indicating the extent to which each of the replying computers complies with one or more selection criteria. The first computer then transmits the user date to the selected computer with an identifier identifying the user data. The user data is stored in storage associated with the selected computer. The first and other computers may be in the same sub-network. The selection may be made by the first computer.

Abstract: At least one of a method, a client computing device, and a server computing device for communicating data associated with a virtual machine are described. In one example, a client computing device is communicatively coupled to a network. A first set of data representative of at least a portion of a virtual machine disk image accessible on the network is determined, the first set of data comprising data arranged in a first sequence. From this first set of data, a second set of data is determined for communication to the client computing device over the network, the second set of data comprising at least a portion of the first set of data arranged in a second sequence, the second sequence being different from the first sequence.

Abstract: User data stored on a first computer in a network is backed up to a computer which is one of a plurality of other computers in the network. The user data may be backed-up because a new operating system is to be installed. A request message indicating that the user data needs to be backed up is transmitted from the first computer to the network and is received at the other computers. One of the other computers is selected based on data indicating the extent to which each of the replying computers complies with one or more selection criteria. The first computer then transmits the user date to the selected computer with an identifier identifying the user data. The user data is stored in storage associated with the selected computer. The first and other computers may be in the same sub-network. The selection may be made by the first computer.

Abstract: A systems management computer is provided, and comprises a processor configured to execute a set of stored instructions that implements a method for receiving data from a server over a first network and for distributing the data to a plurality of computers over a different second network. One instruction is for electing a computer from said plurality of computers of the second network to act as an active download master. Another instruction operates if the computer is elected as the active download master computer and initiates downloading of data over the first network to local data storage. A further instruction operates if the computer is elected as the active download master computer and multicasts, by a multicast distribution engine, the downloaded data over the second network to other computers of the second network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with data distribution apparatus, for use on each of a plurality of machines in distributing a set of data over a network amongst said machines. The apparatus comprises: i) multicast apparatus for use in multicasting said set of data over the network for receipt by others of said machines; and ii) a data retrieval arrangement for use in retrieving data from a set of data previously multicast by at least one of said machines, and supplying retrieved data to the multicast apparatus for use in multicasting the retrieved data over the network to others of the plurality of machines, wherein more than one of said plurality of machines is enabled to act as a multicast source in distributing the set of data over the network. In embodiments of the invention, a first machine is elected as download master and multicasts downloaded data, via a group address, to the networked machines.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with data distribution apparatus, for use on each of a plurality of machines in distributing a set of data over a network amongst said machines. The apparatus comprises: i) multicast apparatus for use in multicasting said set of data over the network for receipt by others of said machines; and ii) a data retrieval arrangement for use in retrieving data from a set of data previously multicast by at least one of said machines, and supplying retrieved data to the multicast apparatus for use in multicasting the retrieved data over the network to others of the plurality of machines, wherein more than one of said plurality of machines is enabled to act as a multicast source in distributing the set of data over the network. In embodiments of the invention, a first machine is elected as download master and multicasts downloaded data, via a group address, to the networked machines.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with data distribution apparatus, for use on each of a plurality of machines in distributing a set of data over a network amongst said machines. The apparatus comprises: i) multicast apparatus for use in multicasting said set of data over the network for receipt by others of said machines; and ii) a data retrieval arrangement for use in retrieving data from a set of data previously multicast by at least one of said machines, and supplying retrieved data to the multicast apparatus for use in multicasting the retrieved data over the network to others of the plurality of machines, wherein more than one of said plurality of machines is enabled to act as a multicast source in distributing the set of data over the network. In embodiments of the invention, a first machine is elected as download master and multicasts downloaded data, via a group address, to the networked machines.