Abstract: A first node within a network group determines whether other nodes within the network group have previously downloaded software from a server. The server is outside the network group. If the software was previously downloaded to a second node within the network group, the software is transferred from the second node to the first node, avoiding the need to download the software directly from the server. If the software was not previously downloaded, a node within the network group is designated to download the software from the server, and then distributes the software to at least one requesting node.

Abstract: A system for imaging a computer system is disclosed. An administrative computer system includes an image for use with a target computer system and an imaging server for managing imaging processes on other computers. A target computer system includes or is in communication with a computer-readable medium that includes instructions to implement a method for writing the image to a storage device. The target computer system has a hard drive having a file system. The image is received from the administrative computer system. The image is stored on the hard drive of the target computer system without using the file system. The image is written to the hard drive of the target computer system using an imaging tool. The imaging tool uses a temporary file system to access the image. The temporary file system is transparent to the imaging tool.

Abstract: In an exemplary method, a filter driver on a computer system receives notification of an event during which a display screen on a display device of the computer system should be blank. An example of such an event is a remote management operation being performed on the computer system. The filter driver receives messages that are directed to a display driver for the display device. The filter driver receives the messages before they are received by the display driver. Some of the messages may comprise a power on message that, if received by the display driver, would cause the display screen to be powered on. The filter driver discards each power on message that is received during the event so that the display driver does not receive any power on messages during the event.

Abstract: An exemplary method involves a remote control agent establishing a remote control session with another computer system. In response to the remote control session being established, the remote control agent requests that a monitoring component provide information about activity on the computer system during the remote control session. The monitoring component may be a process monitoring component, a file monitoring component, and/or another type of monitoring component. A logging component creates a log. The monitoring component provides the requested information, and the logging component records the information from the monitoring component in the log.

Abstract: A system for determining a spanning tree for a computer network is disclosed. The system includes a computing device and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium is part of the computing device or is in electronic communication with the computing device. The computer-readable medium comprises executable instructions for implementing a method for determining the spanning tree for the computer network. Multicast alias domains from the computer network are discovered. The discovery of communication metrics by the multicast alias domains is coordinated. The communication metrics from the multicast alias domains are determined. A minimum spanning tree for the computer network is constructed by using the communication metrics. The minimum spanning tree is stored and used in computer system administration.

Abstract: A system for determining a multicast domain for a node on a computer network is disclosed. The system includes a computing device and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium is part of the computing device or is in electronic communication with the computing device. The computer-readable medium comprises executable instructions for implementing a method for determining the multicast domain for the computing device. A destination is obtained that comprises a computer on the computer network. A unique identification is determined for a first router encountered when sending data from the computing device to the destination. A multicast domain identification is prepared based on the unique identification determined. The multicast domain identification is sent to an administrative system on the computer network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing the use of a software code by a selected application program are disclosed. The method includes detecting an instance of using the code, identifying the application program that is using the code, confirming a conflict between the code and the application, and reporting the conflict to one or more selected parties. Confirmation of the conflict may occur by using a database whose content includes a plurality of selected application programs, along with a corresponding plurality of proper software codes, such as DLL files, which are appropriate for each of the selected application programs to use. A computer workstation or networked computer system may embody the method in the form of instructions stored in a machine-accessible medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to perform customized error handling is described. For example, this method makes it possible to intercept and replace an error code generated by an application. Error messages, such as third party error messages, can be replaced. The application which generates the error message may or may not be updated. The files used by that application may or may not be updated.

Abstract: Repairing applications includes detecting a failure in a request for a file made by a program running on a device and initiating a repair mechanism that is configured to repair the detected failure.

Abstract: A client/server authentication system is disclosed. The system includes a filter, a plug-in, and an extension. The filter monitors sessions between a client and a server for proper authentication. The plug-in is coupled to the client and the server. The plug-in generates public and private key pairs, and receives and stores certificates. The extension is coupled to the filter. The extension generates script commands to cause the client and the server to perform required steps indicated by the filter.

Abstract: A client/server authentication system is disclosed. The system includes a filter, a plug-in, and an extension. The filter monitors sessions between a client and a server for proper authentication. The plug-in is coupled to the client and the server. The plug-in generates public and private key pairs, and receives and stores certificates. The extension is coupled to the filter. The extension generates script commands to cause the client and the server to perform required steps indicated by the filter.

Abstract: The 16-bit process receives synchronized data from a hooked data function. As memory becomes available in a shared memory buffer, the 16-bit process writes the synchronized data to the buffer. The 16-bit process then signals the 32-bit process that synchronized data is ready to be transmitted over the network. The 32-bit process reads the synchronized data, stores it in a send buffer to free the shared memory buffer, then signals the 16-bit process that the shared memory buffer has been read. The 32-bit process then sends the synchronized data out over the network. In this way, a “thunk” that improperly releases the mutual exclusion semaphore is avoided. There can be more than one shared memory buffer, to allow the 16-bit process and the 32-bit process to read and write synchronized data to the shared memory buffers at the same time.