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: This invention can make data communications at an optimal transfer rate on the basis of the unarrived data volume on a network between two end terminals. For this purpose, a transmitting terminal (1-1) adds sequence number information to data generated by a data generator (1-11), and transmits the data to a receiving terminal (1-2) via a data transmitter (1-12). Since the receiving terminal (1-2) transmits data including the sequence number in the received data, the transmitting terminal determines that data (buffer capacity) corresponding to the difference between the current sequence number and the received sequence number remain on the network and calculates that volume using a network buffer data volume calculator (1-14) The transmitting terminal determines the transmission rate on the basis of the calculation result, and controls the data transmitter (1-12) to transfer data at that transmission rate.

Abstract: A method and system for recommending an available network protocol operatively connected to at least one client computer via a network. The method includes the steps of determining whether a first network protocol in a network protocol list having a number of types of network protocols is supported by the client computer and the peripheral device, verifying communication between the client computer and the peripheral device over the network protocol when the network protocol is supported by the client computer and the peripheral device, determining whether a next network protocol in the network protocol list is supported by the client computer and the peripheral device when the first network protocol is not supported by the client computer and the peripheral device, and recommending the network protocol with verified communication to the user.

Abstract: A method for creating a process in a multicomputer system that includes interconnected multiple sites. Each site includes a local processor, local memory, and a local operating system including a local process manager server that is addressable through an associated process port identifier. The operating system includes a messaging facility for controlling the transfer of messages between different processes on different sites. A process directory structure is distributed across multiple sites. The fragmented process directory structure includes a multiplicity of slots for referencing a multiplicity of process port identifiers. A process directory port group structure is provided in the site memory of at least one of the sites, and references respective port identifiers associated with respective process managers on respective sites. A process directory port group manager is provided that is operative on at least one of the sites.

Abstract: A distributed computer network is disclosed for use with a general purpose computer having a communications port and capable of running applications software for controlling the network. The distributed computer network includes a master controller having first and second communications ports, the first communications port of the master controller for operatively communicating with a general purpose computer. The distributed network further includes one or more input/output controllers, each having a first communications port for operatively communicating with the master controller and a second communications port for serially communicating with one or more peripheral devices. The peripheral devices are connected together in a serial daisy chain configuration. The master controller communicates with the input/output controllers via a multidrop RS-485 network bus.

Abstract: A method and system for propagating data such as entertainment data in an airline system is disclosed. The entertainment data may comprise video, audio and games data. A computer server device is provided at an airline terminal, and a mobile computer is provided in an aircraft with a hard disk array for storage of the digital data. The data can be propagated in the system to aircraft and to further airline terminals by an automatic software function which occurs when an aircraft mobile computer electrically connects with the server computer at the terminal. Such connection is made between the aircraft and an aerobridge at the airline terminal. The software provides checking to see if the mobile computer is an authorized computer, and also to determine whether the data in the mobile computer is more recent than the data in the computer server or vice versa and then a data exchange occurs to replace the old data with new data.

Abstract: A directory services system includes a resource object, such as an application object for accessing a resource associated with the resource object. Attributes of the resource object contain licensing control information. The licensing attributes may be used by executables to control access by a user to properly licensed instances of a resource corresponding to the resource object. Also, a utility may be provided to manage the licensing attributes in the resource object. A licensing function may thus control a resource, via its resource object in the directory services database. Licensing maybe easily implemented by setting a new disabling attribute in the object.