Abstract: A technique fulfills service requests in a system of computers that communicate as nodes within a network. The technique involves sending, in response to an initial service request that requests a service provided by a primary server node, a mobile agent from the primary server node to an intermediate node. The mobile agent indicates to the intermediate node that a secondary server node is capable of providing the service. The technique further involves intercepting, at the intermediate node, a subsequent service request sent from a client node to the primary server node, the subsequent service request requesting the service, and sending an instruction from the intermediate node to the secondary server node. The instruction instructs the secondary server node to provide the service. The technique further includes providing, in response to the instruction, the service from the secondary server node to the client node.

Abstract: A technique fulfills service requests in a system of computers that communicate as nodes within a network. The technique involves sending, in response to an initial service request that requests a service provided by a primary server node, a mobile agent from the primary server node to an intermediate node. The mobile agent indicates to the intermediate node that a secondary server node is capable of providing the service. The technique further involves intercepting, at the intermediate node, a subsequent service request sent from a client node to the primary server node, the subsequent service request requesting the service, and sending an instruction from the intermediate node to the secondary server node. The instruction instructs the secondary server node to provide the service. The technique further includes providing, in response to the instruction, the service from the secondary server node to the client node.

Abstract: A technique fulfills service requests in a system of computers that communicate as nodes within a network. The technique involves sending, in response to an initial service request that requests a service provided by a primary server node, a mobile agent from the primary server node to an intermediate node. The mobile agent indicates to the intermediate node that a secondary server node is capable of providing the service. The technique further involves intercepting, at the intermediate node, a subsequent service request sent from a client node to the primary server node, the subsequent service request requesting the service, and sending an instruction from the intermediate node to the secondary server node. The instruction instructs the secondary server node to provide the service. The technique further includes providing, in response to the instruction, the service from the secondary server node to the client node.

Abstract: A configuration management service in a client-server data processing system that manages distribution and installation of different versions and formats of resources so that they remain compatible with each other. When the resources are application programs, the service only distributes combinations of applications that are compatible with one another. This provides the advantages of local execution of application programs on a client computer while at the same time providing the advantages of managed configuration from the central server location. The applications continue to run on the clients and network hosting is not used. The service thus separates execution of applications from the control over their distribution. In a preferred embodiment, a hierarchical, networked cache storage arrangement is used to coordinate the actual physical storage and distribution of the resources as demands are made for them.

Abstract: A technique for automatic, transparent, distributed, scalable and robust replication of document copies in a computer network wherein request messages for a particular document follow paths from the clients to a home server that form a routing graph. Client request messages are routed up the graph towards the home server as would normally occur in the absence of caching. However, cache servers are located along the route, and may intercept requests if they can be serviced. In order to be able to service requests in this manner without departing from standard network protocols, the cache server needs to be able to insert a packet filter into the router associated with it, and needs also to proxy for the home server from the perspective of the client. Cache servers cooperate to update cache content by communicating with neighboring caches whenever information is received about invalid cache copies.

Abstract: A technique for automatic, transparent, distributed, scalable and robust caching, prefetching, and replication in a computer network that request messages for a particular document follow paths from the clients to a home server that form a routing graph. Client request messages are routed up the graph towards the home server as would normally occur in the absence of caching. However, cache servers are located along the route, and may intercept requests if they can be serviced. In order to be able to service requests in this manner without departing from standard network protocols, the cache server needs to be able to insert a packet filter into the router associated with it, and needs also to proxy for the home server from the perspective of the client. Cache servers may cooperate to service client requests by caching and discarding documents based on its local load, the load on its neighboring caches, attached communication path load, and on document popularity.