Abstract: A secure key distribution server (SKDS) determines identity of a requesting server without use of a shared secret by resolving the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) to a network address and comparing it with the network address of a key request. A credential string may also be used as part of the identification. Once identity is established, keys may be securely distributed. The SKDS may also be implemented in a peer-to-peer configuration.

Abstract: Efficient and highly-scalable network solutions are provided that each utilize deployment units based on Clos networks, but in an environment such as a data center of Internet Protocol-based network. Each of the deployment units can include multiple stages of devices, where connections between devices are only made between stages and the deployment units are highly connected. In some embodiments, the level of connectivity between two stages can be reduced, providing available connections to add edge switches and additional host connections while keeping the same number of between-tier connections. In some embodiments, where deployment units (or other network groups) can be used at different levels to connect other deployment units, the edges of the deployment units can be fused to reduce the number of devices per host connection.

Abstract: A method of responding to alarm includes receiving an alarm message from an alarm system at a site. The alarm message may indicate that an alarm has been triggered at the site. In response to receiving the alarm message, a responder may be identified to respond to the alarm. A call message may be automatically sent over a network to a mobile alarm device in the possession of the responder. A message may be received back from the mobile alarm device accepting the call message for the alarm. In some embodiments, the responder's response to the alarm (for example, time to arrive at the alarm, time to clear the alarm) is automatically timed and monitored based on messages received from the responder over the mobile alarm device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for managing service requests are disclosed. The system includes a service provider, having a number of server devices, that provides a service response in response to a client service request. The service response includes a service instance ID associated with a server and a connection lease. A communication processing component routes a first client service request to one of the servers. Subsequent client service requests and responses are transmitted directly between the client device and the server device associated with service instance ID included in the first service response for the duration of the connection lease.

Abstract: Various electronic resources, such as multi-tenant or cloud resources, can be pooled together for access by specified members associated with a given pool. For example, users with access to different resources can enable their resources to be pooled together for purposes such as reduced pricing and increased flexibility. In some instances, a user can pool resources configured for a particular purpose, such that the user can effectively lease out an entire environment. The users accessing the pool can pay for some or all portion of the cost of the resources during the period of usage.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a number of systems and associated processes for using machine-readable codes to perform a transaction. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and associated processes for consolidating and replacing various forms of payment (e.g. credit cards, debit cards, and cash) with a single payment system. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and associated processes for reordering a product provided by a product provider. Moreover, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and associated processes for accepting a gift, or gift transaction, associated with a gift card. In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and associated processes for performing an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) transaction using a machine-readable code.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for managing registration, by a network storage provider, of one or more resources with a CDN service provider are provided. A network storage provider storing one or more resources on behalf of a content provider obtains registration information for registering the one or more resources with a CDN service provider. The registration information may include a request to publish one or more resources to a CDN service provider, an identification of the one or more resources, CDN selection criteria provided by the content provider or otherwise selected, and the like. The network storage provider transmits a CDN generation request corresponding to the registration information to the CDN service provider. Then, the network storage provider manages and processes data pursuant to registration of the one or more resources with the CDN service provider.

Abstract: A system and method for performing financial reconciliation of two systems using checksums generally consists of a primary and a secondary system connected via a communications network, wherein each system includes a data source and is adapted to independently calculate one or more checksums pertaining to the data according to the same formula and at the same time. Information, such as data pertaining to financial transactions, may be stored in the primary data source and replicated to the secondary data source via asynchronous messages. The data in the primary and secondary data sources may be reconciled at regular intervals by comparing the checksum calculated by the primary system with the checksum calculated by the secondary system at a given time. If the checksums match, the data is considered to be reconciled. If the checksums do not match, then a recovery process may be initiated to ensure that the data in the primary system is completely and accurately transferred to the secondary system.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for presenting resale opportunities to purchasers of resalable items. An identifier of a resalable item is received. A number of resale estimates are determined for the item and presented to the purchaser of the item, and the purchaser indicates whether or not he or she intends to resale the item at a future date. Upon receiving an indication that the purchaser intends to resale the item, a resale prospect is stored containing the identifier of the item, an identifier of the purchaser, the date for resale of the item, the resale estimates, and the like. The purchaser may then be presented with at least one reminder regarding the resale of the item on or near the date for resale. The reminder may further include the resale estimates and a facility allowing the purchaser to quickly and easily initiate resale of the item.

Abstract: A system includes a memory and a processor. The memory is operable to store a credential verifier associated with a user account and a counter. The processor is coupled to the memory and the memory includes executable instructions that cause the system to receive a first authentication attempt and increment the counter if validation of the first authentication attempt against the credential verifier fails. The instructions also cause the system to receive a second authentication attempt and increment the counter only if validation of the second authentication attempt against the credential verifier fails and the second authentication attempt is distinct from the first authentication attempt.

Abstract: A system and method of deploying applications to networked computing environments is disclosed. Application packages and installation instructions are received by a deployment manager. The installation instructions include test instructions. Application packages are distributed in response to requests by developers and installation instructions executed on a target computing environment. Failure of an installation test provides an indication of issues with the application in the target environment. Records of failures received are stored for use by application developers.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to determining and displaying item preferences associated with geographic areas. Each of a plurality of item selections is associated with a respective geographic location. Item selections associated with a geographic area are identified. A preference for an item from among a group of items is determined based on the identified ones of the item selections. The preference is sent to a client for rendering.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for an order handling data model with item-level granularity are described. Embodiments may include an order handling system configured to, for a given purchase order received from an ordering entity, generate within a data store a purchase order data object, item data objects for items of the purchase order, and message data objects for messages associated with item data objects. In various embodiments, the order handling system may also generate in the data store mapping information for mapping each of the different data objects for a given purchase order together. The order handling system may also provide to the ordering entity a notification for a particular item. The notification may be based on information accessed from the item data object corresponding to the particular item or information accessed from other data objects associated with that item data object according to the mapping information.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems and methods for receiving shipment parcels at materials handling facilities. A parcel receiving system has an imaging tunnel through which shipment parcels received at a materials handling facility are passed. While a shipment parcel is passing through the imaging tunnel, a camera captures at least one image of the parcel. The parcel image is electronically analyzed to discover various tracking information and to detect various types of exceptions, such as damage to the parcel or defective tracking information. In addition, the captured image is stored in order to create a visual record of the parcel at the time of reception. This record may be used in a variety of ways, such as resolving or tracking exceptions or providing feedback to the vendor or shipment carrier. In addition, the parcel image may be viewed by a user to enable the user to detect and/or resolve an exception.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the performance associated with fulfilling resource requests are provided. One or more client computing devices obtain an original resource request and associate a record identifier with the original resource request. The one or more client computing devices also determine performance data associated with processing each embedded resource request included in a response to the original resource request. Each embedded resource request is associated with a component record identifier that is associated with, but different from, the record identifier of the original resource request. The one or more client computing devices can then transmit the determined performance data with the record identifier to another processing device.

Abstract: The efficiency of scaling of a network of computing devices can be improved by grouping highly-connected portions into deployment units wherein devices only have to be aware of other devices in the respective deployment unit. The various deployment units can be connected by a backbone mechanism. In some embodiments, the backbone utilizes a torroidal connection scheme to connect the backbone switches and pass routing protocol information. Host traffic can still utilize connections between tiers, such that standard routing and networking protocols can be utilized. In other embodiments, logical interfaces can be initialized in each backbone switch, such that each switch itself can function as a point backbone. The devices of the various deployment units then can communicate with each other via the point backbones using standard networking and routing protocols.

Abstract: A user device having a slot antenna formed in metallic material of a structural member is described.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing managed computer networks. In some situations, the techniques include managing communications for computing nodes of a managed computer network by using one or more particular computing nodes of the managed computer network that are configured to operate as intermediate destinations to handle at least some communications that are sent by and/or directed to one or more other computing nodes of the managed computer network. In addition, the techniques may include managing the communications in accordance with configured failure behavior specified for one or more computing nodes of the computer network, such as specified failure behavior for a computing node configured to operate as an intermediate destination that indicates how communications that would otherwise be routed via the intermediate destination computing node are to be handled if the intermediate destination computing node fails or is otherwise unavailable (e.g., to block or allow such communications).

Abstract: A method for fulfilling requests in an inventory system includes receiving a request indicating an activity to be completed. The method also includes selecting a holder to fulfill the request and an inventory station at which to fulfill the request. The inventory station is associated with a queue that includes a plurality of queue spaces. The method further includes moving the selected holder from a first location to a second location remote from the selected inventory station. Additionally, the method also includes determining that a trigger event has occurred and, in response to determining that the trigger event has occurred, moving the selected holder from the second location to a queue space of a queue associated with the selected inventory station.

Abstract: A system can compare a newer model of a product to an older model of a product to determine attributes or features that are new to the newer model of the product. The system can then identify other products in the same product category as the newer model of the product that includes the new attribute or product feature. The system can recommend one or more of the products with the new product feature to a potential customer. In some cases, the system may identify an average upgrade time interval for upgrading the product. Then, if the system determines that the upgrade time interval has elapsed since a user obtained the older model of the product, the system can recommend the newer model of the product and/or other products that include the new product feature to the user.