Abstract: An installable performance accelerator for computer network distributed file systems is provided. A cache subsystem is added onto, or plugged into, an existing distributed file system with no source code modifications to the operating system. The cache subsystem manages a cache on the client computer side which traps or intercepts file system calls to cached files in order to obtain an immediate and substantial performance increase in distributed file system performance. Additionally, a refresh agent may be installed on the server side to further speed up cache accesses.

Abstract: Systems and methods of increasing the performance of computer networks, especially networks connecting users to the Web, are provided. Performance is increased by reducing the latency the client experiences between sending a request to the server and receiving a response. A connection cache may be maintained by an agent on the network access equipment to more quickly respond to request for network connections to the server. Additionally, the agent may maintain a cache of information to more quickly respond to requests to get an object if it has been modified. These enhancements and other described herein may be implemented singly or in conjunction to reduce the latency involved in sending the requests to the server by saving round-trip times between computer network components.

Abstract: A user at a remote computer is provided access to a computer network by a remote access device coupled to the network. The remote access device receives from the remote computer a username which uniquely identifies the user on the network. The remote access device then obtains an internet protocol (IP) address from a server on the network, which server dynamically assigns the IP address based on the username. The IP address uniquely identifies the remote computer on the network, and it is needed by the remote computer to communicate on the network. If the user at the remote computer disconnects, or is disconnected, from the network and then subsequently attempts to re-gain access to the network by sending the same username to either the same or a different remote access device coupled to the network, that remote access device obtains the same IP address from the server.

Abstract: An installable performance accelerator for computer network distributed file systems is provided. A cache subsystem is added onto, or plugged into, an existing distributed file system with no source code modifications to the operating system. The cache subsystem manages a cache on the client computer side which traps file system calls to cached files in order to obtain an immediate and substantial performance increase in distributed file system performance.

Abstract: A remote access server provides a remote user with access to a local computer network. The server receives a user identification string from its communication port, the string having been entered by the remote user at a remote computer which is coupled to the communication port. The string identifies the remote user. The server uses the string to access a database and determine an internet protocol (IP) address associated with the string. The remote computer needs the IP address to communicate on the local computer network. The database includes a user identification string for each remote user and an IP address for each string. The remote access server sends the IP address to the remote computer via the communication port. The server then allows the remote computer to access the local computer network and to communicate on the local computer network using the IP address.