Abstract: A method for distributing web content efficiently across a network of information processing units and intermediate nodes. The method on an information processing unit includes receiving a web content object created by a user that is to be distributed to a set of destinations. Also, the method further includes sending a single copy of the web content object across the network via intermediate nodes to a set of destinations using a reliable multicast technique. Also, the invention includes receiving a packet on an intermediate node where the packet contains address information for a set of destinations. Also, the invention includes determining at an intermediate node the next hop or next hops that the packet should be forwarded to and forwarding a copy of the packet to each of those next hops.

Abstract: Automatically populating contact information fields of a contact information database, such as for instance an electronic address book is performed without requiring an individual to manually enter data for the contact. A message is sent to the newly added contact requesting that they fill in their contact information. When the individual is a member of a service filling in the contact information is automatable.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating media browsing is provided. The invention includes a browsing component and a media display system that provides a focus media and related media. The focus media and the related media are associated based, at least in part, upon metadata. The invention further provides for an association identifier that identifies related media based, at least in part, upon metadata associated with the focus media and the related media. The association identifier can further cluster the related media based upon metadata associated with the related media.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for managing a network of nodes by automatically configuring the arrangement of nodes in the network. A network manager in a node selects a group of nodes and compares network metrics for each node in the group, such as a bottleneck bandwidth measurement from each node to a root node of the network. The network manager selects a target node using the network metrics. Optionally, the network manager can select a new group of nodes using the target node, compare network metrics for the new group, and optionally select a new target node. If the node is a newly connecting node to the network, the network manager can repeat this process of selecting new groups until establishing a relationship with a target node that is not a root node (e.g., with performance that is the same, or about the same, as the root node), because the goal is not to overload the root node with too many relationships.

Abstract: A network and method for servicing simultaneously pending boot image download requests in a multi-client, networked environment. A boot image server on the network is configured to satisfy boot image sessions initiated by one or more client systems on the network. The image server is configured to prioritize requests from different clients to minimize or reduce the network's average download time, which represents the amount of time required to boot a theoretical average client. In one embodiment, the image server is configured to minimize the average download time by prioritizing client requests according to the amount of time required to complete a each client's download such that requests from clients with short remaining download times are given higher priority and, conversely, request from clients with long remaining download times are given lower priority.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for executing a risk-assessment scan with a variable timeout duration which is set based on network conditions. Initially, network conditions are measured in a network coupled between a source and a target. Subsequently, a risk-assessment scan is executed on the target from the source. A timeout is performed prior to making a determination that the target is failing to respond to the risk-assessment scan. Such timeout includes a variable duration which is set as a function of the measured network conditions.

Abstract: A distributed computing environment includes a client platform, plurality server platforms, plural applications distributed amongst the plural server platforms, a messaging system, a plurality of data files and a load balancing and failover software application. Maintained in the data file for each application is a list of each instance of the application, where it resides and a pre-determined time span assigned thereto. The time spans maintained in the data file are arranged in a self-repeating sequence, collectively comprise a first unit of time and respectively encompass a contiguous range of values for a second unit of time. For each message to be delivered to a distributed application, the load balancing and failover software application selects the server platform to receive the message. The load balancing and failover software application then determines if the selected server platform has failed and, if so, selects a substitute server platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus useful in network management which makes intelligent, high speed, connection allocation decisions, overcoming difficulties encountered heretofore and providing enhanced network services. During episodes of network congestion, some connection requests for a class of service of low value and with currently a high number of existing connections may be purposefully ignored (not acknowledged with an Acknowledge (ACK) packet) so that the processing capability of a device will not become overwhelmed, causing the dropping of new connection is to note the numbers of connections of different classes relative to their service-level contracts, to ignore abundant, low-value connection requests in accordance with value policies when and only when necessary, and to insure that valuable new connection requests that conform to their contract connection rates can be intelligently accommodated.

Abstract: A storage controller determines a difference between a control table containing fiber channel port configuration of an upper node device and security information, and information fetched from a name server, thereby detecting replacement of a fiber channel port and correcting the control table. This enables data input/output in the same way as before fiber channel port replacement without consciously modifying the security information.

Abstract: A storage controller determines a difference between a control table containing fiber channel port configuration of an upper node device and security information, and information fetched from a name server, thereby detecting replacement of a fiber channel port and correcting the control table. This enables data input/output in the same way as before fiber channel port replacement without consciously modifying the security information.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for minimizing the duration of a risk-assessment scan. Initially, a plurality of risk-assessment modules are selected each including vulnerability checks associated with a risk-assessment scan. Thereafter, a first set of ports is determined. Such first set of ports is required for communicating with network components subject to the risk-assessment modules associated with the risk-assessment scan. A port scan is subsequently executed on the first set of ports. Based on such port scan, a second set of ports is determined which includes ports unavailable for communicating with the network components subject to the risk-assessment modules associated with the risk-assessment scan. The risk-assessment modules associated with the second set of ports may then be disabled to minimize the duration of the risk-assessment scan.