Abstract: Methods for distributing content, which may include requesting a download of particular content; wherein the particular content is combined with additional content not specifically requested; storing the particular content and the additional content in a user's content play device; receiving a user request to play the particular content; determining whether the additional content has expired; if it is not determined that the additional content has expired, in response to user request to play the particular content, playing the particular content on the content play device and the additional content; and if it is determined that the additional content has expired, in response to user request to play the particular content, playing the particular content on the content play device without playing the additional content. Also described are systems for providing content and devices for playing content and various other embodiments.

Abstract: A method, device, and computer program product for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) communications is disclosed. The method, device, and computer program product allow a SIP user agent of a SIP-enabled device to register with a plurality of SIP registrars. The plurality of SIP registration may occur simultaneously or sequentially, based on preference information for the SIP registrars.

Abstract: A technique for lessening the likelihood of congestion in a congestible node is disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiments of the present invention, one node—a proxy node—drops protocol data units to lessen the likelihood of congestion in the congestible node. In some embodiments of the present invention, the proxy node receives a metric of a queue at a congestible node and, based on the metric, decides whether to drop protocol data units en route to the congestible node. In some other embodiments of the present invention, the proxy node estimates a metric of a queue at a congestible node and, based on the metric, decides whether to drop protocol data units en route to the congestible node.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for integrating applets running on a client with the application logic for applications running on a server. The mechanism of the present invention provides two significant advantages over the prior art: the synchronization of state, and the recognition of user actions in the browser including the invocation of the appropriate application logic in the server. Instead of using the FORM element available in HTML, individual active applets are available and may be created that obtain user input (e.g. a checkbox, textbox, button, etc.). A hidden applet called the Applet Group Controller is created which handles communication between the applets on the browser and the application logic on the server. The Applet Group Controller maintains an association with each applet that maintains the keys and values of any parameters and variables for the applet.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for the communication of a data stream and management of faults in a multipath data network having a protected ring-in-ring network architecture. The data stream is communicated over redundant paths between various nodes located throughout the network. Each node is capable of dropping and inserting data from the data stream before passing it on to the next node. A single transmitter in communication with an intelligent splitter at each node is utilized to simultaneously transmit the data stream over the redundant paths. In the event of a fault over one of the paths in the network, the intelligent splitter manages the operation of the single transmitter so that the data stream is communicated over an alternate path to circumvent the fault.

Abstract: An agent in a storage area network stores a first identifier (e.g., a checksum value) for first zone configuration data previously used to configure a zone in the storage area network. The agent derives the first identifier from contents of the first zone configuration data. Further, the agent retrieves second zone configuration data presently used to configure the zone in the storage area network. The second zone configuration data is potentially different than the first zone configuration data. Based on contents of the second zone configuration data, the agent then produces a second identifier for the second zone configuration data. The agent then compares the first identifier and the second identifier to identify whether the first zone configuration data is different than the second zone configuration data. A user can control behavior of zoning importation and activation depending whether current zone configuration data has been changed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. A request for data is processed, and a data stream is received to fulfill the request. A determination is made that a subcontracted processing service is required. At least a portion of the data stream is subcontracted to a different service provider to receive the subcontracted processing service. A result of the subcontracted processing service is received.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that facilitate securing communication channels used in a challenge-response system to mitigate spammer intrusion or deception. The systems and methods make use of unique IDs that can be added to outbound messages originating from a sender, a recipient, and a third-party server. The IDs can be correlated according to the relevant parties. Thus, for example, a sender can add a signed ID to an outgoing message. A challenge sent back to the sender for that particular message can echo the same ID or a new ID derived from the original ID to allow a sender to verify that the challenge corresponds to an actual message. The IDs can include cookies as well to facilitate correlation of messages and to facilitate the retrieval of messages once a sender is determined to be legitimate.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, user component, and system for sharing media object in a network environment are disclosed. A network manager may determine a similarity metric between users of the environment, between media objects, and/or between a user and media objects. Based upon the similarity metric, the network manager may share media objects with another user if the similarity metric exceeds a predetermined value or is more similar than other retrieved media objects. A user component may also provide a network map manager to display a network map, and may provide a tailored view manager to display a web log associated with at least one of the user icons displayed in the network map.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a request for communications service. The request for communications service originates from a client communications device associated with a user and requests communications service from a service provider. An availability of at least one of i) a communications network operated by the service provider and ii) another communications network operated by another service provider is dynamically assessed in real-time. A best-value scenario of segmentation, dispersion, assemblage, and routing of electronic data is assessed to fulfill the request. The best-value scenario maximizes profitability for the service provider. The communications service is provided to fulfill the request according to the best-value scenario.

Abstract: A generic algorithm for analysis of resource metrics. A threshold is calculated in a stack tier policy for the performance state of a metric in a virtualized process collection (VPC). Responsive to determining that the metric is a critical metric, a weighted average of all metrics in the VPC is determined. Responsive to determining that the weighted average exceeds the threshold in the stack tier policy, if the value of the metric is determined to be higher than values for all recorded metrics, the value of the metric is stored as a highest value. A weighted average performance state of all metrics is calculated as the weight property of the performance metric divided by the weight factor total. Responsive to determining that the highest value is higher than the weighted average performance state of all metrics, the highest value is used as the performance state of the VPC.

Abstract: Maintaining consistent DNS information is disclosed. Information associated with a resource is received. A resource record is populated with the information. View information is derived from the resource record.

Abstract: In one embodiment, device presence enables persistent access to a set of resources, which may be data or services. Unique device identifiers are assigned to different computers of a user to identify the computers of the user of a network. For example, a device identifier is specific for a user and specific for a messaging system. Some time-consuming and device-specific tasks, such as synchronization of photo albums, transmitting files, sharing a printer, etc., may be interrupted temporarily, such as when the computer is restarted. Using the device identifiers, the messaging system can uniquely identify the devices involved in the tasks and detect the presence of the devices so that, after the interruption, the tasks can be resumed without user intervention.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system, method, and computer-readable medium for identifying malware at a network transit point such as a computer that serves as a gateway to an internal or private network is provided. A network transmission is scanned for malware at a network transit point without introducing additional latency to the transmission of data over the network. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a computer-implemented method for identifying malware at a network transit point is provided. More specifically, when a packet in a transmission is received at the network transit point, the packet is immediately forwarded to the target computer. Simultaneously, the packet and other data in the transmission are scanned for malware by an antivirus engine. If malware is identified in the transmission, the target computer is notified that the transmission contains malware.

Abstract: The claimed invention is directed to a communication apparatus which comprises a monitor unit that monitors communication conditions with a plurality of networks; a setting unit that performs adjusting and setting a communication timing to communicate with each of the plurality of networks in accordance with the communication condition of each network and notifying the plurality of networks of information about the set communication timings; and a communication unit that switches communication to each of the plurality of networks on the basis of the setting of the communication timings, wherein said setting unit dynamically changes the communication timing on the basis of the communication condition monitored by said monitor unit.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for provisioning storage resources according to a modeling policy. The modeling apparatus includes a monitoring module, a policy module, and a provisioning module. The monitoring module monitors the storage resources on the storage system. The policy module stores and maintains storage management, storage provisioning, and storage resource modeling policies. A user may access and specify these policies via a specification module. The provisioning module automatically provisions new storage resources, such as logical unit numbers (LUNs) according to the storage provisioning policies and modeling policies. The modeling policy defines a modeling strategy by which new storage resources are provisioned to include some or all of the attributes of a model storage resource.

Abstract: The use of multi-homing to multiple network providers to improve performance of network applications is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a general purpose computer performs primary route control functions, without requiring a special route control device. Route selection is made in accordance with desired metrics which may include relevant to performance, availability, or cost.

Abstract: To provide a network monitoring system extracting the performance measurement data while eliminating the performance measurement data that is not effective for improvement of the network performance on the basis of a predetermined extraction condition and presenting the extraction result to the operator. The network monitoring system includes extraction condition presenting means for presenting a predetermined extraction condition indicating a relationship between performance measurement data of each device configuring the network and a status of a device to be eliminated upon extracting said performance measurement data; and performance measurement data extracting means for eliminating the performance measurement data that is measured under a status of the device to be eliminated on the basis of an extraction condition indicated by said extraction condition presenting means and extracting the performance measurement data that is effective for improvement of the network performance.

Abstract: Information items related to a plurality of musical pieces designated can be stored at a time. A storage means 1a can hold the information items related to contents. A receiving means 1b receives information items related to a plurality of contents broadcast. A temporary storage means 1c stores the information items 4 related to the contents, for some time. An instructing means 1d instructs that the related information items stored in the temporary storage means 1c be recorded in the storage means 1a. When instructed by the instructing means 1d, the recording means 1e records the related information items 5a stored in the temporary storage means 1c, as one set 5, in the storage means 1a. At the same time, the recording means 1e records in the storage means 1a the name of this set, in association with the set 5. The related information items can therefore be recorded in accordance with a single instruction.

Abstract: Routing in a peer-to-peer network is described. In an implementation, a method includes receiving at one of a plurality of nodes in a peer-to-peer network, an indication of a change in membership in the peer-to-peer network by another node in the peer-to-peer network. A report is broadcast that describes the change. The report is for receipt by each node referenced in a routing table included in the one node.