Abstract: A Resource Reservation System includes a Token Generation Unit (TGU) which generates and circulates among nodes of a communications system a Slotted Token (SLT) message having sub-fields to carry identification number for each input port in a node and the resource available for each input port. On receiving the message the Resource Control Unit (RCU) in each node can write port identification number, available resource in appropriate sub-fields of the SLT message, and reserve resources in other nodes by adjusting information in the sub-field associated with the other nodes.

Abstract: Improvements in security processing are disclosed which enable security processing to be transparent to the application. Security processing (such as Secure Sockets Layer, or “SSL”, or Transport Layer Security, or “TLS”) is performed in (or controlled by) the stack. A decision to enable security processing on a connection can be based on configuration data or security policy, and can also be controlled using explicit enablement directives. Directives may also be provided for allowing applications to communicate with the security processing in the stack for other purposes. Functions within the protocol stack that need access to clear text can now be supported without loss of security processing capability. No modifications to application code, or in some cases only minor modifications (such as inclusion of code to invoke directives), are required to provide this security processing.