Abstract: An improved session control method and apparatus includes a client which establishes a session with a first server such that the first server can identify the client. When the client wishes to migrate from the first server to a second server, the client requests a session token from the first server. The session token is a data element generated by the first server which is unique over the client-server network being navigated and identifies the particular session with the first server. The session token is preferably a difficult to forge data element, such as a data element digitally signed using the private key of the first server. The session token is passed from the client to the second server to initiate migration to the second server. If session data is too bulky to be passed as part of the session token, the second server may use data from the session token to formulate a request to the first server for additional data needed to handle the state of the session.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to accomplish creation and serving of data objects among various communication protocols. The method and apparatus can be used in such applications as an on-line classified advertising system on the Internet involving the World Wide Web and electronic mail. In the apparatus, a request decoder receives an incoming request, decodes the request using configurations from a configuration database in order to identify which protocol was used to transmit the request, and generates from the request a corresponding abstract data object. A data processor merges data from a main database with the abstract data object. An object formatter formats the abstract data object including the merged data. An object deliverer formats the object for outgoing transmission according to a protocol of an intended recipient. The functions of object deliverer may be performed by the object formatter.