Abstract: A computer-based system and method for determining whether files received from remote computers are properly formatted is disclosed. The system maintains a queue of work units, and a received file is placed in the queue for processing. The system executes an algorithm that recursively unpacks, decompresses, and decodes work units from the queue. If the contents of the work unit include a README file having a valid HOSTID entry, then the contents of the work unit are placed in a memory location for valid data.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method for distributing data files received from a remote computer to selected participants in a service network is disclosed. Participants in the service network may request that selected data files be distributed to particular nodes in the service network. These requests may be stored in a suitable memory location in the service network nodes. When a network node receives a data file, the data file may be distributed to one or more second-tier network nodes whose requests have been stored in memory of the receiving node. The second-tier network nodes may, in turn, distribute the data file to one or more third-tier network nodes. The system includes safeguards to prevent infinite loops of cross-traffic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the size of a file cache for storing data is described. The method includes activating a filesystem logging mechanism to monitor filesystem transactions performed on the computer by the user. Next, a file cache is provided under computer control for storing at least a portion of at least one computer file. Also, a filesystem log file is provided for storing records of filesystem transactions invoked by the computer. A user work cycle is then performed during which the filesystem logging mechanism monitors filesystem transactions invoked by the computer and stores records of certain filesystem transactions to the filesystem log file. Finally, the size of the file cache required to store the information cached during the work cycle is determined by processing the log file. Also provided is a computer program product having computer readable code for determining the size of a file cache.