Abstract: A method and apparatus retrieves and stores configuration information for network endpoint devices from other devices in the network, such as a switch adjacent to the endpoint device. When the endpoint device establishes a connection with the network, it generates a sequence of SNMP getnext commands using the ILMI interface to obtain the configuration information from the network device. If the network device sends a trap to the endpoint device indicating a change has been made to the configuration parameters stored in the network device for a PVC, a series of SNMP getrequest commands are made using the ILMI interface to retrieve the configuration information for that PVC from the network device. If the endpoint device detects an interruption in communication with the network device, the endpoint device discards the information retrieved previously.

Abstract: A dictation system is formed of two personal computers connected by an e-mail system. A hand microphone with control switches is provided at one personal computer and a foot pedal is provided at the other personal computer. The hand microphone is used to generate a dictation file at the first personal computer. In response to actuation of a control switch on the hand microphone, the dictation file is transmitted via the electronic mail system to the second personal computer. The foot pedal at the second personal computer is used to control audible reproduction of the dictation file for the purpose of transcription at the second personal computer. The resulting text file is sent via the electronic mail system from the second personal computer to the first personal computer.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a telephone exchange, a telephone system comprising such an exchange as well as a method for connecting a computer to a computer network via an exchange and a telecommunication network, where the exchange comprises a switch core, a switch control means responsible for setting up connections between users of the exchange and at least one network connection device that is connected between the switch core and the computer network. The network connection device comprises a signal processing means that converts the signal structure of data signals, received from computers via the telecommunication network and the switch core, to data packets having a signal structure suitable for data communication and supplies these data packets to the computer network. The exchange comprises means for monitoring every connection set up between such a computer and the computer network.

Abstract: Techniques for arranging operations performable on information in an information processing system are provided. In a system having a plurality of information producers and a plurality of information subscribers, paths are identified over which information traverses, and within which the information is subject to select and/or transform operations. The present invention optimizes the system by reorganizing the sequence of select and transform operations so that transforms follow select operations; and by combining multiple select and transform operations into single select and transform operations, respectively. Using these optimizations, the processing resources of the system can be reorganized, and/or information flow graphs describing the system can be designed, so that the select operations are “pushed” toward the producers, and transform operations are “pushed” toward the subscribers. Efficient content-based routing systems can then be used to implement the select operations.

Abstract: A network configuration (10) including a first network medium which is a 1394 network as well as a second network medium. Each of the first and second network media is coupled to a corresponding plurality of host-computers (H1 through H3 and H5 through H7). The network configuration further includes a link layer gateway computer (H4) coupled to both. the first network medium and the second network medium. The link layer gateway computer is operable to communicate a data packet from a source host computer selected from one of the plurality of host computers coupled to the first network medium to a destination host computer selected from one of the plurality of host computers coupled to the second network medium.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product for communicating with machines connected to a network. Information sent to or from the machines is transmitted using electronic mail or a direct connection. The electronic mail may be transmitted over the Internet to a service center or from a service center to a resource administrator, but also may remain within a local or wide area network for transmission between a machine and a resource administrator. E-mail messages may be transmitted from a computer which is attached to a device which is being monitored or controlled and include information regarding the status, usage or capabilities of the attached device. The device may send status messages and usage information of the device to either a resource administrator or to a service center on the Internet through a firewall. The message may be sent directly to the resource administrator station if urgent service is needed by the device.

Abstract: Computer processes for carrying out almost any process may be defined as a series of steps using a plurality of standardized user-interface screens. These standardized interface screens may be linked together in predetermined orders to implement on a client computer activities for which the standardized screens are appropriate to accomplish a pre-defined process. Any number of computer processes may be developed and deployed using the standard interfaces. The computer process automatically takes a user from screen to screen, prompting the user to review or provide information or take appropriate action. Processes may be represented using metadata. Metadata may provide data to a screen rendering process running on a user's workstation with details on how to render one of a plurality of standard screens in a manner which is specific to a particular process. Metadata may be provided to define the steps of the process for enabling navigational capabilities.

Abstract: An accelerated access system for a computing device, in which the computing device is connected to a first data network, such as the Internet, via a second data network such as a wireless telecommunication network. The system comprising a server for downloading data from the first data network before that data has been requested by a user of the computing device and a cache for storing the downloaded data. For example, during browsing of the Internet by a user of the computing device the server downloads data linked to an Internet site being displayed by the computing device for storage in the cache. Then when a user subsequently requests the data stored in the cache it appears on the screen of the computing device faster than it would take to access it from the Internet.

Abstract: A control system includes an Internet web interface to a network of at least one programmable logic control system running an application program for controlling output devices in response to status of input devices. The Web interface runs Web pages from an Ethernet board coupled directly to the PLC back plane and includes an HTTP protocol interpreter, a PLC back plane driver, a TCP/IP stack, and an Ethernet board kernel. The Web interface provides access to the PLC back plane by a user at a remote location through the Internet. The interface translates the industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the Internet into data recognizable to the PLC. Using this interface, the user can retrieve all pertinent data regarding the operation of the programmable logic controller system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and program for generating network performance data. Performance information including a performance time to download a page and execute the page within an application program is received. The received performance information is processed and then performance information output indicating network performance is generated in response to processing the performance information.

Abstract: A streaming multimedia communication network includes a broadcaster providing program content by air wave or direct line to a network service provider, e.g. an Internet Radio Service provider (IRSP) which operates a web site for distribution of the content to remote end users over the network. The IRSP reformats the broadcast content into industry-standard streaming format, such as Real Audio. End users are coupled to the IRSP through a local network service provider, e.g. an Internet Service provider (ISP). An alternate content source is connected by airwaves or direct line to the ISP. The end user accesses the IRSP web site to select and receive program content over the network from a remote broadcaster listed on the site. The ISP transparently switches the network content at predefined intervals and substitute alternative content for the selected content during the predetermined interval for delivery of the alternative content to the end user.

Abstract: Multiple instances of operating systems execute cooperatively in a single multiprocessor computer wherein all processors and resources are electrically connected together. The single physical machine with multiple physical processors and resources is subdivided by software into multiple partitions, each running a distinct copy, or instance, of an operating system. Each of the partitions has access to its own physical resources plus resources designated as shared. The partitioning is performed by assigning all resources with a configuration tree. None, some, or all, resources may be designated as shared among multiple partitions. Each individual operating instance will generally be assigned the resources it needs to execute independently and these resources will be designated as “private.” Other resources, particularly memory, can be assigned to more than one instance and shared.

Abstract: A method that rapidly reconfigures a computer network having a plurality of devices executing the spanning tree algorithm. First, one or more devices are configured and arranged so that one port, providing connectivity to the root, is in the forwarding state and the remaining ports, providing connectivity to the root, are in the blocked state. Next, one or more of the blocked ports are designated as back-up ports. Upon detection of a failure at the active forwarding port, one of the back-up ports immediately transitions from blocked to forwarding, thereby becoming the new active port for the device. Following the transition to a new active port, dummy multicast messages are transmitted, each containing the source address of an entity directly coupled to the affected device or downstream thereof. By examining the dummy multicast messages, other devices in the network learn to use to the new forwarding port of the affected device.

Abstract: A method and device of creating one or more buffer structures in a shared memory that exists between a host and a network device is disclosed. The method includes the step of storing within a block of shared memory an administration block having a base address and a descriptor ring parameter, which includes information relating to a descriptor ring and frame data buffer sizes. The base address of the administration block is written into the network device. An initialization command is then issued from the host to the network device. The network device reads the administration block and shared memory and one or more descriptors are constructed within the network device. Each descriptor points to a frame data buffer within shared memory. The descriptors are then stored.

Abstract: A method and a storage medium are used with a computer. A signal stream of data that includes portions of a file is received by the computer. During the reception of the data, the signal stream is monitored to determine a quality level of the portions received from the signal stream. The quality level is compared with a predetermined threshold, and the reception of the signal stream is regulated based on the comparison.

Abstract: In the network terminal device (200), the computer main body (202) transmits a download request containing user identification data to the host device (300) via a network (100) at the time of starting the terminal device (200). In the host device (300), of various types of files corresponding to the user identification data, a designated file which is set by the user table in advance, is selected from the user management file which stores various types of files corresponding to each and individual user, in reply to the download request, and the designated file is transferred to the network terminal device (200) which made the request. The designated file is a recently used data file.

Abstract: A distributed system provides a quality of service by generating at least one system condition object storing a value, monitoring at least one resource in real time using the system condition object, and setting the value of the system condition object in response to the monitoring of the resource. The system determines a current quality of service based on the value stored in the system condition object. The system then regulates activity within the distributed system based on the determined quality of service.

Abstract: When a client control apparatus 108 on a network connects to a camera control apparatus 102 in hyper text transfer protocol and requests the camera control apparatus 102 to transmit a file of its home page, the camera control apparatus 102 transmits a file, to the client control apparatus 108, including a description for causing the client control apparatus 108 to request the camera control apparatus 102 to transmit an applet for performing automatic reception. When the client control apparatus 108 receives this file, transmission of the applet is requested, and the server control apparatus 102 transmits the applet. Then, when transmission of state information is requested, the server control apparatus 102 transmits state information to the client control apparatus 108 only when an event indicative of a change in an angle of a camera occurs; thereby traffic of the network is reduced.

Abstract: In an enterprise network system a plurality of software systems are integrated using an enterprise wide software management system and communicate with a plurality of clients. At least one of the clients is functionally represented by a plurality of subclients through a midware which is transparent to the software systems. Communication destined for any of the clients interfaced through the midware is received by the midware and converted to a format suitable for communication with one or more of the subclients prior to transmission thereto. Correspondingly, communications received from one or more subclients is converted to an appropriate format by the midware and forwarding to the assigned destination. Communications received by the midware is further monitored for fields which are tracked. Upon receiving communications having fields being tracked, the midware stores a least a portion of the communication in a report table.

Abstract: The invention is a technology that provides a computer user with a connection to a communications server when they connect their computer to an access port. The technology automatically configures the computer for communication with the server and then restores the initial computer configuration after the session. In one example of the invention, the user simply connects their laptop computer to an Ethernet port in a hotel room and powers-up the computer. The laptop computer executes a small access software application that directs the laptop computer to process a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that is broadcast over the Ethernet network by an access server. The access software application directs the computer to execute a web browser using the URL. The web browser directs the computer to retrieve and display a web page represented by the URL from a communications server. The web page contains basic service information.