Abstract: A centralized service identifies a pool of devices that can be accessed by clients over a network. Devices can include a local or network-accessible device, and a configurable file that represents a portion of a device (e.g., a SCSI storage device). In some cases, the devices (or the file representing a portion of the device) can be identified by an assigned logical unit number. The centralized service assigns one or more devices to a target, and associates client information with the target. The centralized service also can also assign the target a logical unit number, and assign the target to a protocol-independent portal, which further operates through protocol-dependent miniports. In one embodiment, a client accesses a network device by accessing the appropriate port through an appropriate miniport protocol (e.g., Ethernet, fiber channel, etc.), and by submitting appropriate target authorization.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for managing communication in a computer network using aliases of computer network addresses. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a primary network address and at least a secondary network address are assigned to each server among a plurality of servers connected to a switch. The secondary network address of the server is an alias for the primary network address of the server. An information packet is transmitted from a first server of the plurality of servers to the switch. A source address included in the information packet is the primary network address of the first server. The switch modifies the source address included in the information packet received at the switch to be the secondary network address of the first server. The switch forwards the modified information packet to a second server of the plurality of servers.

Abstract: A conflict resolution technique provides consistency such that all conflicts can be detected by at least one of the conflicting requestors if each node monitors all requests after that node has made its own request. If a line is in the Exclusive, Modified or Forward state, conflicts are resolved at the node holding the unique copy. The winner of the conflict resolution, and possibly the losers, report the conflict to the home node, which pairs conflict reports and issues forwarding instructions to assure that all requesting nodes eventually receive the requested data. If a requested cache line is either uncached or present only in the Shared state, the home node provides a copy of the cache node and resolves conflicts. In one embodiment, a blackout period after all responses until an acknowledgement message has been received allows all conflicting nodes to be aware of conflicts in which they are involved.

Abstract: A dynamically configurable resource pool may provide a pool of computing resource for use in a computing system or application, such as a connection pool or a thread pool for server systems such as application and web server systems. In one embodiment, a server may include a resource pool configured to provide a plurality of computing resources. Other components in the server may be configured to request use of one of the computing resources from the connection pool. The resource pool may include a resource pool manager configured to service requests for the computing resources. The resource pool manager may manage configuration of the resource pool. The resource pool manager may also be configured to receive a configuration change request to change the configuration of the resource pool while the resource pool is available for use.

Abstract: When a user inputs a URL character string indicating data for an order document, the CPU receives data for the order document indicated by the URL and reading method data from the web server at the URL destination and prints the order document on a recording unit. The user then fills in circles on the order document to indicate desired content and feeds the order document into the manual-feed paper tray on the facsimile device. At this time, the facsimile device reads a user number and data regarding printing details and scrapbook entry details and transmits order data described as a URL to the web server.

Abstract: A media management module maintains and uses device profile data stored on a computer-readable medium. The device profile data includes, for each of at least one device in a user premise, a respective first data element to indicate whether a device is to remain in or be removable from the user premise, and a respective second data element to indicate whether a memory associated with the device is resident or removable from the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating instant messaging (IM) services and email services are described. In one embodiment an email window is configured to display an email message, the email message including a plurality of intended recipients, wherein the email window is also configured to display information about the plurality of intended recipients. At least one embodiment also includes an instant messaging (IM) option configured to begin an instant messaging session with at least two intended recipients having information displayed in the email window.

Abstract: A system and method for data collection and update utilizing surrogate e-mail addresses using a server. An e-mail client generates an e-mail message comprising a surrogate e-mail address and data elements conveyed within standard fields of the e-mail message. The surrogate e-mail address also comprises data and instructions directed to a specialized software program. A message server parses the surrogate e-mail address and the e-mail content. Information relating to a specialized software program is extracted and translated into instructions and data elements. The specialized software program operates on the data elements based on the instructions obtained from the e-mail message.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing notification of network alarms using a plurality of distributed layers. A message is received that indicates an event occurred at a primary entity. The event is bound to a managed object, which represents the primary entity, to create a bound event. An overall condition is determined for the primary entity, based at least in part on the bound event, to create one or more condition notifications. The impact of a particular condition notification on one or more entities, which are related to the primary entity, is analyzed to create one or more impact notifications. One or more first alarms, which indicate the one or more related entities are impacted by a particular impact notification, are created. One or more second alarms are created based on the one or more first alarms.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to maintain session continuity between a browser and an initial server in a cluster when the browser is transferred from the initial server to a different server and returned thereafter to the original server.

Abstract: A conflict resolution technique provides consistency such that all conflicts can be detected by at least one of the conflicting requestors if each node monitors all requests after that node has made its own request. If a line is in the Exclusive, Modified or Forward state, conflicts are resolved at the node holding the unique copy. The winner of the conflict resolution, and possibly the losers, report the conflict to the home node, which pairs conflict reports and issues forwarding instructions to assure that all requesting nodes eventually receive the requested data. If a requested cache line is either uncached or present only in the Shared state, the home node provides a copy of the cache node and resolves conflicts. In one embodiment, a blackout period after all responses until an acknowledgement message has been received allows all conflicting nodes to be aware of conflicts in which they are involved.

Abstract: A method is presented for correlating related transactions, such as a parent transaction that invokes a child transaction within a distributed data processing system, using a particular format for the correlation tokens. Each transaction is associated with a correlation token containing a hierarchical, three-layer identifier that includes a local transaction identifier and a local system identifier, which are associated with the local system of the child transaction, along with a root transaction identifier, a root system identifier, and a registry identifier. The local transaction identifier is unique within the local system, and the local system identifier is unique within a registry that contains a set of system identifiers. The registry is associated with a domain in which the local systems operate, and multiple domains exist within a transaction space of entities that use these correlation tokens. Correlation token pairs are analyzed to construct a call graph of related transactions.

Abstract: A condition on a client that is communicating with a server is determined by issuing a challenge to the client, causing the client to produce a response indicative of the condition. The server compares the response to an expected response to determine if the condition is as expected, and if not, takes appropriate action, such as terminating the connection with the client. The challenge preferably includes parameters and a code segment that causes the client to produce the response by executing the code segment. The code segment could perform a one-way hashing algorithm of a portion of memory indicated in the parameters. The server can thus determine if the client is using a modified basic input output system, modified software, pirated software, or whether other conditions exist on the client. The challenge can be changed to prevent the client from returning a false, predetermined response to the challenge.

Abstract: A system and method for handling multiple identical requests received by a server from a client by a web application server. When multiple requests for the same URL are received by a web application server from the same client browser which results in the allocation of multiple threads on the server to handle the requests, a response to the client is obtained from the processing carried out by the first thread launched by the web application server. Results of the initial thread are passed to the client using the last opened connection between the client and server relating to the client's request for the URL. Other threads are placed in a wait state and are deallocated, at the earliest opportunity, where possible.

Abstract: A connection pacer and method for performing connection pacing in a network of servers and clients using a first-in-first-out (“FIFO”) buffer.

Abstract: Automatic discovery of users associated with screen names for rogue protocols. A local server associates screen names with users, updating those associations in response to the protocol. The local server intercepts protocol messages, determines if they relate to unknown users, and obtains information associating screen names with users. Policy rules are applied to all screen names for the same user in an aggregated manner. The local server sends a request to an authorization server coupled to the local network, including the IP address for that screen name. The authorization server interrogates a registry file on the user workstation to obtain a GUID for that user, and from that GUID obtains a unique logon name for that user from the domain controller for a local network.

Abstract: Data can be streamed from a server to a client via an established connection. Commands (e.g., commands to navigate the streamed data) can be communicated to the server and streaming can continue (possibly from a different location) without breaking the connection. In one implementation, the connection is an HTTP 1.1 (HyperText Transfer Protocol version 1.1) connection.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automating updates to and maintenance of live Internet sites. An Internet-based tool is provided including a series of Internet-based web pages for communicating proposed updates to a live website and for approving, testing and implementing proposed updates. The automated website updating tool allows for passing a proposed modification or update through a quality control process and ultimately updating the live website.

Abstract: An efficient method and system for utilizing existing wireless communication devices and networks, such as cellular phones and carriers, as an underlying infrastructure in providing emergency information to a targeted percentage of the population in a specified geographical location, without requiring individuals to subscribe to an alerting service and without using information solicited from or provided by the intended recipients of the alert.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for satellite communication wherein a plurality of geographically-separated apertures are controlled by a central controller that analyzes link availability of each aperture and then user connectivity is prioritized above a minimum user data rate, whereupon the gateway-established data rate of lower priority users is reduced to allocate more capacity to highest priority users, which are routed through available links in order to better optimize a gateway architecture, to reduce gateway costs and to improve effective performance in the presence of atmospheric interference events.