Abstract: A router can process the data received from the local area network at a network protocol stack local to the router, while processing data received from the wide area network normally. The offloading of the stack processing from the source of the data to the router reduces the number of network hops that both packets based on the received data, and acknowledgements from the destination of the packets, must travel, thereby reducing communication latency. In addition, offloading the stack processing to the router can reduce the processing load at the data source. Further, the router can implement different quality of service or other processing protocols for the local area and wide area traffic.

Abstract: A router of a network is configured to manage routing of packets based on executing applications. The network communicates packets of information between endpoints coupled to the network. Each packet is assigned to a traffic class based on the application associated with the packet. The router manages routing of received packets based on the traffic classes associated with the received packets. Accordingly, the router can determine routing priority, bandwidth, acknowledgment policy, and other routing management information based on the applications associated with received packets.

Abstract: The state of the communication socket is maintained at a network device and communicated to a device driver for the network device. The device driver can send messages to an interface program in application space, which stores the state information in dedicated application space memory. In response to a query from a peer program requesting the state of the communication socket, the interface program retrieves the state information from the dedicated memory. Because the state information and the interface program are located in application space, the number of kernel transitions required to determine the socket state is reduced, improving communication efficiency.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for setting network communication parameters at a network interface based on the types of applications being executed at one or more computer devices that interface with the network. Thus, for example, the network interface can set the communication bandwidth, priority, or combination thereof, for each executing application based on the application type. By setting the network communication parameters for each application based on the application type, the applications can communicate with the network more efficiently.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a bandwidth control interface that displays the relative amount of bandwidth assigned to each application executing at a computer device. By displaying the relative amount of bandwidth, the interface allows the user to easily determine how the available bandwidth is allocated among the applications, and whether the allocation provides for efficient network communication. The bandwidth control interface also allows the user to adjust the relative allocation of bandwidth to the executing applications. The user can thereby control the relative amount of bandwidth that is allocated to each application by a network interface device.

Abstract: A method of securing network authentication information at a data processing device includes determining a boot source from which to boot the device and comparing the boot source to an expected source. If the boot source is not the expected source, access to the network authentication information is inhibited, such as by disabling access to the portion of memory that stores the authentication information. Further, if the boot source is the expected source, boot code authentication information is retrieved from memory and verified during the boot sequence. If the device authentication information is not authenticated, access to the network authentication information is inhibited. Accordingly, access to the network authentication information is allowed only if the data processing device is booted from an expected source, and only if the boot code is authenticated, thereby reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access to the network authentication information.

Abstract: A message routing method includes receiving a plurality of messages at a routing node. The routing node is configured to receive instructions indicating an offset, criteria associated with the offset, and a group of interested nodes. The routing node examines a portion of a data payload of a received message based on the offset. If the information at the offset matches the criteria, the routing node routes the message to each of the group of interested nodes. Thus, the routing node can route messages to different groups of destination nodes depending on information in the data payload of received messages, thereby providing a flexible way to route messages over a network.

Abstract: A method of transforming messages for communication via a network includes receiving a message from an application being executed at a processor. The message is received at a connection object, which transforms the received message based on characteristics of the connection object. The characteristics can be determined via a negotiation between the source and target of the message. The connection object provides the transformed message to a protocol layer, which forms packets based on the message. The connection object thus transforms each message independent of the transmission protocol used to communicate the message to the target, thereby improving communication bandwidth and efficiency.

Abstract: A method of managing communication of messages via a network includes storing messages received from an application in a queue at a transport layer. The transport layer monitors the amount of information stored at the queue. When the amount of information exceeds a threshold amount, the transport layer provides a warning message to the application. In an embodiment, the transport layer provides the warning message before the queue assigned to store messages from the application is full, so that the application can continue to provide messages to the transport layer after the warning message. The application can take appropriate action in response to the message, such as reducing the amount or frequency of information provided at the transport layer, thereby reducing the likelihood of a communication bottleneck at the transport layer.

Abstract: A message routing method includes receiving a plurality of messages at a routing node. The routing node is configured to route each received message based on the message type. Accordingly, the routing node is able to establish a peer-to-peer connection between the message source and a destination node for a designated message type, while establishing a server-client connection between the message source and a server for other message types. The routing node can also route messages to different groups of destination nodes depending on the message type, thereby providing a flexible way to route messages over a network.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing and correcting errors at a data processing system is disclosed includes detecting at a first device of the system, such as a network interface device, an error at a second device of the system, such as a data processor. In response to detecting the error, the first device communicates a help request via a network. In response to the help request, the first device receives diagnostic and error correction routines from a remote system. The first device executes the routines and provides information to the remote system to diagnose and correct errors at the second device.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a data processing device includes receiving a request to authenticate the data processing device. In response, an authentication key is accessed an authenticated at an authentication module. The authentication key is stored at a storage module that is located within the same integrated circuit package as the authentication module, so that the authentication key can be communicated to the module without exposing the key to unauthorized probing. The integrated circuit package also includes a tamper detection module to determine whether a memory of the data processing device has been accessed. In response to determining the memory has been accessed, the tamper detection module instructs the authentication module to not authenticate the data processing device.

Abstract: A method of communicating with a network interface includes providing a packet to the network interface, where the packet includes an address field indicating a destination of the packet. The network interface analyzes the address field, and determines if it reflects an address associated with the network interface. If not, the network interface provides the packet to a network. If the network interface determines the address field reflects an address associated with the interface, it provides information in the packet to an application executing at the network interface. Accordingly, information targeted to an application can be communicated by associating an address, such as a network address, with the network interface, allowing for communication of the information without extensive processing of each packet at the interface.

Abstract: A method of communicating messages between endpoints in a data processing system includes coalescing two or more messages into a single packet and communicating the packet. Each of the messages can be associated with a different communication protocol. In addition, each of the messages can be targeted for communication to a different communication port. At the destination endpoint, the packet is de-coalesced, whereby each message is extracted from the packet and provided to the associated port. By coalescing multiple messages into a single packet, even where the messages are associated with different communication protocols or different communication ports, packets can be formed closer to an optimum size, thereby providing for more efficient communication between endpoints.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that receives a function call at an application program interface. The method selects a first processor of a plurality of processors to execute the function call. The method further executes a first transmit function associated with a bus coupled to the first processor. The first transmit function includes a function parameter associated with the function call.

Abstract: The state of the communication socket is maintained at a network device and communicated to a device driver for the network device. The device driver can send messages to an interface program in application space, which stores the state information in dedicated application space memory. In response to a query from a peer program requesting the state of the communication socket, the interface program retrieves the state information from the dedicated memory. Because the state information and the interface program are located in application space, the number of kernel transitions required to determine the socket state is reduced, improving communication efficiency.

Abstract: A method for receiving a first indication from a host device is comprised. The device is a first port of the host device that has been reserved fro a network device. The method also poses as the host device at the network device in response to a receipt of the first indication.

Abstract: An interceptor program at a computer device intercepts certain externally initiated communications intended for the peer program before those communications are placed on the network stack. Further, the interceptor program stores the received communications in a buffer in application space, rather than kernel space. The interceptor program can then intercept polling requests from the peer program inquiring if data for the peer program is located at the network stack, and provide the buffered communications to the peer program in response. Because the communications are stored in application space, rather than kernel space, the data can be rapidly provided to the peer program, improving the speed with which the program can respond to the client communications.

Abstract: A solution for managing communicative interactions between network elements is described herein. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a processor module that monitors communications between a program resident on a user machine and a server program resident on a computing device remote from the user. The processor module may be utilized to effectively reduce the processing overhead of a server program and the number of communications actually transmitted between the client program and the server program. For example, the processor module may intercept certain client or server initiated communications intended for the server or client program and process those communications internally. The results of the processing which may require an updating to all object groups which may be associated with client programs. The updating of said client programs is then executed without server program involvement.

Abstract: A data communication system and methods are disclosed. One of the methods includes receiving portions of information such as game content information. The portions are compared to a maximum transmission unit of a network, and combined if their combination is smaller than the maximum transmission unit. Combining of the information portions allows for efficient communication of the information portions. The information portions may also be divided into segments and combined with other portions for communication.