Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating answering a query on a database. Example embodiments include: accessing a database tree having a plurality of nodes; receiving a set of input variable values, a non-empty set of output variables, and information indicative of a node in the database tree; determining a traversal cost based on the node and the set of input variable values; determining a lower bound based on the node and the set of input variable values, wherein the lower bound corresponds to an upper-bound probability estimate based on one or more of the plurality of nodes and the set of input variable values; pruning one or more of the plurality of nodes based on the traversal cost, the lower bound, and a pruning bound; and returning a result including a non-empty set of output variable values based on the set of input variable values, the node, the traversal cost, and the lower bound.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for generating a model for predicting the characteristics of a user are described. A model template for predicting the one or more characteristics of the selected user is obtained. Training data comprising social relationship information and one or more user characteristics for each of one or more source users is obtained. One or more parameters of the model are determined based on the training data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a learning model for facilitating answering a query on a database. Example embodiments include processing logic to: receive access to a database having a plurality of rows; determine for each row in the plurality of rows which of a plurality of child nodes to associate with a row based on the row and current parameters, where the current parameters correspond to parameters of a probability distribution for the plurality of child nodes; determine new parameters for the plurality of child nodes based on associated rows of the plurality of rows; determine whether or not to return a result which indicates the new parameters based on the current parameters, the new parameters, and the plurality of rows; and return a result which indicates the new parameters.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for predicting the characteristics of a user are described. A model based on a conditional multivariate normal distribution and social relationship information between the selected user and each of one or more other users are obtained. One or more characteristics of the selected user are determined based on the model and the social relationship information. The user characteristics may be determined by adjusting the characteristics of a typical source user according to the model and the social relationship information of the selected user.

Abstract: A system and method for managing an Internet domain based on the geographic location of an accessing user. A particular embodiment of the system includes: receiving an access request from a client for access to a particular requested domain; determining a geo-location for the client; determining a corresponding geo-specific site based on the requested domain and the geo-location of the client; and redirecting the client access request to the corresponding geo-specific site.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a learning model for predicting the geographic location of an Internet Protocol (IP) address are disclosed. A particular embodiment of the system and method includes receiving a model to predict a geographic coordinates position of an Internet Protocol (IP) address, the model including one or more parameters and one or more variables associated with coordinates of the IP address and corresponding information associated with the IP address; receiving training data including a plurality of pairs of coordinates of a target IP address and corresponding information associated with the target IP address; determining, by use of a processor, the one or more parameters based on the training data and the model; and returning a result including information indicative of the determined parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating finding a nearest neighbor in a database. Example embodiments include: accessing a database tree having a plurality of nodes; receiving information indicative of a query point and information indicative of a node in the database tree; determining, by use of a processor, a lower-bound estimate based on the node and the query point, wherein the lower-bound estimate corresponds to a distance from the query point to the node; determining, by use of the processor, a temporary result corresponding to a distance to a nearest neighbor based on at least one child node of the node, the query point, and the lower-bound estimate; pruning one or more of the plurality of nodes based on the lower-bound estimate and a pruning bound; and returning a result indicative of a nearest neighbor of the query point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a learning model for facilitating answering a query on a database. Example embodiments include processing logic to: receive access to a database having a plurality of rows; determine for each row in the plurality of rows which of a plurality of child nodes to associate with a row based on the row and current parameters, where the current parameters correspond to parameters of a probability distribution for the plurality of child nodes; determine new parameters for the plurality of child nodes based on associated rows of the plurality of rows; determine whether or not to return a result which indicates the new parameters based on the current parameters, the new parameters, and the plurality of rows; and return a result which indicates the new parameters.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to detect and characterize middleboxes is disclosed. Embodiments of the system and method include a middlebox detection engine to provide a plurality of middlebox detection modules, and to use at least one middlebox detection module of the plurality of middlebox detection modules to determine if a middlebox exists on a path between a first communicating entity of a network and a second communicating entity of the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating answering a query on a database. Example embodiments include: accessing a database tree having a plurality of nodes; receiving a set of input variable values, a non-empty set of output variables, and information indicative of a node in the database tree; determining a traversal cost based on the node and the set of input variable values; determining a lower bound based on the node and the set of input variable values, wherein the lower bound corresponds to an upper-bound probability estimate based on one or more of the plurality of nodes and the set of input variable values; pruning one or more of the plurality of nodes based on the traversal cost, the lower bound, and a pruning bound; and returning a result including a non-empty set of output variable values based on the set of input variable values, the node, the traversal cost, and the lower bound.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a learning model for predicting the geographic location of an Internet Protocol (IP) address are disclosed. A particular embodiment of the system and method includes receiving a model to predict a geographic coordinates position of an Internet Protocol (IP) address, the model including one or more parameters and one or more variables associated with coordinates of the IP address and corresponding information associated with the IP address; receiving training data including a plurality of pairs of coordinates of a target IP address and corresponding information associated with the target IP address; determining, by use of a processor, the one or more parameters based on the training data and the model; and returning a result including information indicative of the determined parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting the geographic location of an Internet Protocol (IP) address are disclosed. A particular embodiment of the system and method includes receiving a model to predict a geographic coordinates position of a network device given traceroute information corresponding to an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the network device; receiving traceroute information corresponding to an Internet Protocol (IP) address of one or more beacons without requiring the geographic location of the one or more beacons associated with the traceroute information; generating, by use of a processor, an output model representing one or more predicted geographic coordinates corresponding to the network device based on the model and the traceroute information; and returning a result including the predicted geographic coordinates of the network device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to detect and characterize middleboxes is disclosed. Embodiments of the system and method include a middlebox detection engine to provide a plurality of middlebox detection modules, and to use at least one middlebox detection module of the plurality of middlebox detection modules to determine if a middlebox exists on a path between a first communicating entity of a network and a second communicating entity of the network.

Abstract: A system and method for managing an Internet domain based on the geographic location of an accessing user. A particular embodiment of the system includes: receiving an access request from a client for access to a particular requested domain; determining a geo-location for the client; determining a corresponding geo-specific site based on the requested domain and the geo-location of the client; and redirecting the client access request to the corresponding geo-specific site.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to detect and characterize middleboxes is disclosed. Embodiments of the system and method include a middlebox detection engine to provide a plurality of middlebox detection modules, and to use at least one middlebox detection module of the plurality of middlebox detection modules to determine if a middlebox exists on a path between a first communicating entity of a network and a second communicating entity of the network.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating and selecting traceroutes to be used in determining the geographic location of a network block. A particular embodiment of the system includes a set of traceroute feature vector extractors, each traceroute feature vector extractor being associated with at least one of a plurality of traceroutes, each traceroute feature vector extractor being configured to generate a traceroute feature vector for at least one of the plurality of traceroutes; a set of traceroute classifiers each coupled to at least one of the traceroute feature vector extractors, each traceroute classifier being associated with at least one of the plurality of traceroutes, each traceroute classifier being configured to generate at least one traceroute classification and/or regression based on at least one of the traceroute feature vectors; and a traceroute geolocation determining engine.

Abstract: A method and a system perform geolocation activities relating to a network address. A database of network addresses, and associated geographic locations, is maintained. A query, including a network address, is received against the database for a geographic location associated with the network address. Information, concerning the query received against the database, is logged. Geolocation activities relating to at least the network address are modified based on the logged information.

Abstract: A system includes an interface to receive network geolocation information associated with a first party to a network session between the first entity and a second entity, coupled via a network. The network geolocation information is determined utilizing a network address of the first entity. The system further includes a decision logic module to obtain supplemental information concerning the first entity by harvesting the supplemental information locally at the first entity. The decision logic module is further to generate an assessment regarding compliance with a geolocation policy defined in connection with access to the second entity, the assessment being generated utilizing the network geolocation information and the supplemental information.

Abstract: A method and the system perform geolocation activities relating to a network address. A query, including a network address, is received from an external entity at a geolocation system. Responsive to receipt of the query, geolocation activities are initiated at the geolocation system to map the network address to a geographic location.

Abstract: A location tracking system for building a geographic location database of network nodes in a computer network includes a trace engine module configured to send trace Id commands to a plurality of user terminals. The user terminals are actively coupled to a server node so that the trace engine module is able to obtain IP address of each of the user terminals and its corresponding geographic location. A first database is configured to store IP addresses obtained by the trace engine module and their corresponding geographical locations. A second database is configured to store a set of physical connections between IP addresses obtained by the trace engine module. The system can then determine the geographical location of end user terminals who employ the database as previously populated.