Abstract: Method, system, and programs for reducing network latency in a network. A first connection is established between a relay and a host in the network. The relay receives non-confidential information from the host over the first connection. A second connection is then established between the relay and a node in the network. The relay then communicates with the node, over the second connection, non-confidential information on behalf of the host based on the received non-confidential information from the host. The relay also forwards, over the first and second connections, confidential information between the node and the host.

Abstract: Techniques for storing objects (e.g., images) in and retrieving objects from a storage device (e.g., image store) in a rapid and efficient manner are disclosed. More particularly, the techniques include: storage of an object in and retrieval of an object from the storage device with reference to an object locator together with state and permission information, use of a directory structure of a file system to efficiently provide database structure for storage of the objects, storage and retrieval of object states as attributes of associated files in the file system, storage and retrieval of multiple versions of objects, and multi-threaded management of the storage device.

Abstract: A data communications network with a plurality of PoPs maintains a local database associated with each PoP and a central database somewhere on the data communications network. The local database contains a group identification such as a domain identification corresponding to a group of users, a maximum number of VPN sessions to provide the group of users at the PoP and a dynamic VPN session count corresponding to active VPN sessions currently provided to the group of users at the PoP. The central database contains a maximum number of VPN sessions to provide the group of users over the entire data communications network and a dynamic network-wide VPN session count corresponding to active VPN sessions currently provided to the group of users on the entire data communications network. Actions are taken when the group attempts to exceed either the local maximum number of sessions or the network-wide maximum number of sessions by more than a predetermined number.

Abstract: An online monitoring search engine. The invention is a system, method and computer program product that allows an organization, company, or the like to monitor the Internet (or any computer network) for violations of their intellectual property (e.g., patent, trademark or copyright infringement), or monitor how persons on the Internet view their business, products and/or services. The system includes a Web server for receiving search requests and criteria from users on a Web client and a server for searching the Internet for URL's that contain contents matching the search criteria, thereby compiling a list of offending URL's. The system also includes a file system for storing contents from each of the offending URL's and a relational database for allowing the server to perform queries of the content in order to produce a report. The method involves receiving search criteria from a user, searching the Internet, downloading offending contents, and then archiving and scoring the contents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of integrating the IEEE 1394 protocol with the IP protocol in which the IEEE 1394 high speed serial bus operates as the physical and link layer medium and the IP operates as the transport layer. There are differences in the protocols which require special consideration when integrating the two protocols. The IEEE 1394 configures packets with memory information and the IP operates under channel based I/O thereby necessitating a modification of the data transfer scheme to accomplish IP transfers over the IEEE 1394. Further, due to differences in packet headers, the IEEE 1394 packet header is modified to encapsulate IP packets. Moreover, in order to determine network packets quickly and efficiently, an identifier is inserted in each network packet header indicating that the packet should be processed by the network. Finally, in order to support the ability to insert or remove nodes on the network without a loss of data, the IP interface must not be disturbed.