Abstract: A client object on a first network requests access to a server object on a second network. A third network connects the first network to the second network. A connections properties table is associated with the first network and includes an entry for each of one or more second networks that are accessible by the first network. The connections properties table also includes connection protocol information for accessing the one or more second networks. A connection manager generates a boundary traversal key for requests for access to server objects that have a corresponding entry in the connections properties table. The boundary traversal key is generated from the corresponding connection protocol information in the connections properties table.

Abstract: A system for server-side communication support in a distributed computing environment is provided that includes a local reference (202) to a server object (110) on a server system (104). The local reference (202) provides a location of the server object (110) and a type of the server object (110). The local reference (202) resides within a server-side object request broker (114). A type object (204) is accessible by the local reference (202) using the type of the server object (110) from the local reference (202). The type object (204) represents a class of the server object (110). One or more specialized function objects (206) are linked to the type object (204) and correspond in number to one or more methods (190) of the server object (110). The one or more specialized function objects (206) provide wrapper functionality for each method (190) of the server object (110). Each specialized function object (206) provides access to a corresponding one of the one or more methods (190) of the server object (110).

Abstract: A system for communications in a distributed computing environment is provided that includes an application layer (132), a proxy layer (134), a reference layer (136), and an object layer (138). The application layer (132) provides communications between an application (108) and an operating entity. The proxy layer (134) provides communications between the application (108) and a remote proxy (154). The remote proxy (154) is a local representative for a requested object (110) residing in an address space different from an address space in which the application (108) resides. The reference layer (136) provides communications between the remote proxy (154) and the requested object (110). The reference layer (136) includes communication protocol details to support transmission of messages across a network (106) linking the remote proxy (154) and the requested object (110). The object layer (138) includes the requested object (110).

Abstract: A system for communication between a non-CORBA object request broker and a CORBA object request broker is provided that includes a non-CORBA object request broker (112) executing on a client system (102) and a CORBA object request broker (114) executing on a server system (104). The non-CORBA object request broker (112) provides client side inter-object communications support. The CORBA object request broker (114) provides server-side inter-object communications support. A network (106) connects the client system (102) with the server system (104). A reference object (158) in the non-CORBA object request broker (112) encodes outgoing communications into an Internet Inter-ORB Protocol format. The reference object (158) decodes incoming communications from Internet Inter-ORB Protocol format into a format native to the non-CORBA object request broker (112).

Abstract: In a computer network (100), a first object (102) is moved from a current host address and port number (104) to a new host address and port number (114). A forwarder object (122) associated with the first object (102) is created at the current host and port number (104). The forwarder object (122) includes the new host address and port number (114) for the first object (102). A second object (126) at a different host address and port number (128) creates a message (MSG2) destined for the first object (102). Not knowing that the first object (102) has moved, the second object sends the message (MSG2) to the current host address and port number (104). The forwarder object (122) intercepts and forwards the message (MSG2) to the first object (102) at the new host address and port number (114). The first object (102) returns a reply message (REPLY2) directly to the second object (126). The reply message (REPLY2) includes the new host address and port number (114) for the first object (102).

Abstract: A method for moving objects in a distributed computing system is provided that comprises receiving a move indication (224) at a mobility facet object (206) that is aggregated with a primary facet object (204) through an aggregate object (202) located at a current host address and port number (222). A new aggregate object (246) with the new version (242) of the primary facet object (204) as a new primary facet object (248) and the new version (236) of the mobility facet object (206) as a new mobility facet object (250) are created at a new host address and port number (234).

Abstract: A remote proxy generator (300) generates a remote proxy class for use in client-side communications for communications between a client application (108) and a server object (110). A client-side type generator (302) generates a type object (174) that represents a class of the server object (110) and provides access to methods (190) of the server object (110). A client-side function generator (304) generates one or more function objects (172) corresponding in number to one or more methods (190) of server object (110). A client-side reference generator (306) generates a reference object (158) for managing encoding of messages sent between a remote proxy object (154) and the server object (110) into a format of a communications protocol used by a server-side object request broker (114). A client-side streamer generator (308) generates a set of streamer objects (180) corresponding in number to the one or more methods (190) of the server object (110).

Abstract: A system for communication in a distributed computing environment (100) is provided and includes a server system (12) having one or more server objects (106) and a client system (14) having a client application (104). The client system (14) is linked to the server system (12) by a network (102). An object request broker (108) executes on the server system (12) and provides server-side communications support for the distributed computing environment (100). A light client (116) executes on the client system (14) and provides client-side communications support for the distributed computing environment (100). The light client (116) communicates with the object request broker (108) to provide client system (14) to server system (12) communications. A light proxy (118) is dynamically generated in response to a request from the client application (104) for access to one of the one or more server objects (106).

Abstract: A software system is disclosed which provides for dynamic generation of remote proxy classes at run time through a distributed object management system 16. The software system provides for a client system 14 and server system 12 which communicate via distributed object management system 16 which operates over a distributed computer network to allow communications between client system 14 and server system 12. Any inter-object communication will invoke a remote proxy generation control module 34 if a remote proxy class 23 does not already exist for the requested subject object 18. A remote proxy generation control module 34 is provided which first invokes reflection engine 36 to determine the applicable information of subject class 19. Next, a communication enabling module 40 determines and inserts the appropriate computer code to allow local object 20 to communicate with subject object 18 utilizing remote proxy object 22.

Abstract: A method for determining the timing for reclaiming a remote object (706) according to the teachings of the present invention includes the step of first creating a remote object (706) of a virtual object (702). The remote object has a default death criteria that can be overwritten by lifespan messages. The virtual object (702) may send the lifespan message (724) to the remote object (706) to change its death criteria. The remote object (706) is reclaimed in response to the death criteria being met.

Abstract: In a computer network (100), a first agent (102) has a directive to meet with a second agent (140) in order to exchange high speed messages. The first agent (102) moves to the host address and port number where the second agent (140) is located. The first agent (102) issues a request to the second agent (140) for an encounter. If available, the second agent (140) creates an encounter object (142) that binds the first agent (102) to the second agent (140) for the duration of the encounter. The first agent (102), through an invoker (144), invokes a meet callback function in order to establish message exchanges between the first agent (102) and the second agent (140) through the encounter object (142). The first agent (102) then instructs the second agent (140) to terminate the encounter. Termination of the encounter frees up the encounter object (142) for subsequent use within the computer network (100).

Abstract: A method for dynamically extending functionality of an object without modifying executable code includes the steps of first identifying an existing object as a primary facet object (16) and creating an aggregate object (14). The primary facet object (16) is linked to the aggregate object (14). One or more facet objects (28) that extend a functionality of the primary facet object (16) are added to the aggregate object (14). The particular facet objects (28) linked to the aggregate object (14) is located that has a class that equals or extends a requested class. A reference to the particular facet object (28) is returned and the particular facet object (28) is invoked using the returned reference.

Abstract: In a computer network, an object receives a move indication directing it to move from a current host address and port number to a new host address and port number for which there is no direct link. The object identifies one or more intermediate host address and port numbers which to travel through to reach the new host address and port number. A compound address is generated that includes all intermediate host address and port numbers and the new host address and port number. In accordance with the compound address, the object moves to the intermediate host address and port number and determines whether it is its final destination. Since the intermediate host address and port number is not its final destination, the object continues to travel according to its compound address until it reaches the new host address and port number.

Abstract: In a computer network (100), an object (102) located at a current host address and port number (104) receives a move indication (106) from itself or a virtual object (108) located at an originating host address and port number (110). After determining its availability to move, the object (102) creates a serialized version (112) of itself to send to a new host address and port number (114). The object (102) also retains an old version (116) of itself at the current host address and port number (104). A new version (118) of the object (102) is established at the new host address and port number (114) from the serialized version (112) of the object (102). Once established, the new version (118) sends a status update message (120) to the old version (116). The old version (116) de-registers itself from the current host address and port number (104).

Abstract: In another aspect of the invention, a method for communicating between Java objects (302, 312) residing in different computer platforms linked by a network includes the steps of sending a message (306, 360, 370) from a sender object (302) to a virtual object (320) in a first host address and port number (304), the virtual object (320) being a virtual representation of a receiver object (312) in a second host address and port number (314), and creating a messenger (328, 362, 372) in the first host address and port number (304). The messenger (328, 362, 372) is then sent to deliver the message (306, 360, 370), which carries an identity of the receiver object (312), destination address of the second host address and port number (314), and the address of the result in the first host address and port number (304). At the second host address and port number (304), an host address and port number is invoked between the messenger (328, 362, 372) and the receiver object (312) for conveying the message thereto.

Abstract: A software system is disclosed which provides for dynamic generation of remote proxy classes at run time through a distributed object management system 16. The software system provides for a client system 14 and server system 12 which communicate via distributed object management system 16 which operates over a distributed computer network to allow communications between client system 14 and server system 12. Any inter-object communication will invoke a remote proxy generation control module 34 if a remote proxy class 23 does not already exist for the requested subject object 18. A remote proxy generation control module 34 is provided which first invokes reflection engine 36 to determine the applicable information of subject class 19. Next, a communication enabling module 40 determines and inserts the appropriate computer code to allow local object 20 to communicate with subject object 18 utilizing remote proxy object 22.