Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking devices that are connected to physical communication ports of a network device server. In one example embodiment, a method includes detecting the connection of a device to a physical communication port of a device server; determining whether the device has been assigned an NCC; if the device has not been assigned an NCC, assigning an unassigned NCC to the device; and mapping the device's assigned NCC to the physical communication port.

Abstract: Verifying licenses to enable functionality. A method is performed in a manufacturing environment. The method includes acts for enabling device functionality on devices to ensure that at least one of appropriate licensing, royalty or authorization requirements are met. The method includes receiving authentication information for a device. The authentication information is authenticated to ensure that the device is an authorized device. If authentication succeeds, then additional manufacturing tasks are performed.

Abstract: Testing media player devices. A method may be practiced, for example, in an automated testing environment. The method includes sending a media oriented command to the media player. The command directs the media player to perform a media function. A trace is received in response to the command. The trace may be generated by a media player as part of the process of attempting to perform functionality related to the command. The trace includes media player information. The information occurs as a result of sending the command to the media player. In response to receiving a trace, a new media oriented command is sent automatically and without human intervention directing the media player to perform a media function. The new media oriented command is dependent on the trace.

Abstract: Caching meta information including file relationships at a local processor. A local processor requests files and directories from the remote file system by sending a network identifier used by the remote file system. At the local processor, a network identifier is used to access a remote upper level directory at the remote file system. Meta information is obtained from the remote file system about files or directories hierarchically below the upper level directory. The meta information about the files or directories hierarchically below the upper level directory is cached along with relationship information about the files or directories without storing network identifiers for the files or directories. A network identifier is cached or known for a directory hierarchically above the files or directories that can be used to obtain the network identifiers for desired files or directories from the remote file system.

Abstract: Accessing data from large, unknown size, or streaming files. A method includes acts for accessing files. A request is received to read at a virtual address corresponding to an identifier for a file or directory. The virtual address is read to read a shared address range from the virtual address. The shared address range can be used for a number of files or directories. One of the files or directories may be selected for use at a given time based on the identifier for the file or directory. The shared address range is returned in response to the request. File or directory content data is accessed by means of a read request, received for an address in the shared address range, wherein the shared address range comprises a finite address range, and wherein the shared address range is circular such that if a file or directory exceeds the size of the finite address range, portions exceeding the finite address range can be addressed starting at the beginning of the shared address range.

Abstract: A system for accessing data across a network. The system includes a first processor configured to consume data. A second processor is connected to the first processor via a physical media storage interface. As such, the first processor interfaces with the second processor as if the second processor were a physical media storage device. The second processor is connectable via a network interface to a physical media storage device so as to be able to provide data from the physical media storage device to the first processor. The system includes a computer readable medium including computer executable instructions configured to compensate for at least one of time latencies or network connection problems caused by the network interface between the second processor and the physical media storage device.

Abstract: A system and method for orderly installing hardware devices and associated software drivers in a networked environment on client computers having only local plug-and-play installers. The preferred embodiment teaches the use of a web browser, web server, and network access point device to mount and manage the installation of various hardware devices for use by selected computers participating in the associated local network.