Abstract: In an Internet or Intranet environment, a proxy server (or router or intelligent switch or firewall) which supports a number of clients (e.g. web browsers) has additional functionality which allows it to deliver a software module to a particular client depending on characteristics of that client. This downloaded module is then executed by the client which sets up a bidirectional communications link between the proxy server and the client. This bidirectional link allows for instance a status display at the client, by use of a window on the client platform, indicating the current status of proxy server activity such as virus scanning, content filtering, bandwidth usage, etc. In other applications the downloaded module allows provision of a organizational bulletin board, news channel, or provider of common software patches.

Abstract: A method of managing a plurality of client machine "Web agents" vying for a resource in a computer network having a central authority. The resource may be a limited number of telephone connections in a dialup telephone network. At each client machine, a map of available agent start times is generated based on resource usage statistics and given scheduling criteria distributed by the central authority. Using this information, an available agent start time is selected at random from the map. This start time is then set as a "regular" start time at which the particular agent initiates some agent activity on behalf of a user of the client machine. If, however, the client machine is unable to obtain access to the resource according to a given criteria, the map of available agent start times is then regenerated to enable the agent associated with the client machine to reschedule itself to a new start time for the agent activity.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system includes nodes connected through conductors. At least some of the nodes each include memory and processing circuitry to receive snoop requests in a node reception order and to initiate snoops of the memory in the node before the snoop requests are in a global order. The at least some nodes also each include an ordering buffer to receive the snoop requests and provide them at an output of the ordering buffer in the global order.

Abstract: In a Local Area Network (LAN) system, an ethernet adapter exchanges data with a host through programmed I/O (PIO) and FIFO buffers. The receive PIO employs a DMA ring buffer backup so incoming packets can be copied directly into host memory when the PIO FIFO buffer is full. The adapter may be programmed to generate early receive interrupts when only a portion of a packet has been received from the network, so as to decrease latency. The adapter may also be programmed to generate a second early interrupt so that the copying of a large packet to the host may overlap reception of the packet end. The adapter to begin packet transmission before the packet is completely transferred from the host to the adapter, which further reduces latency.

Abstract: A method is provided that allows a networked computer to generate a routable response to a status query without invoking its communication protocol stack. The computer is provided with a network controller that includes query detection and data routing modules. A message received by the network controller is scanned for a recognition code that identifies the message as a status query. A status query message includes a prototype response that includes the IP data necessary to respond to the query. When a message is identified as a status query, the data routing module extracts network routing data and the prototype response from the message and generates a routable response packet from the extracted information. Status data may be added to the routable response packet by the data routing module.

Abstract: A computerized switching system for coupling a workstation to a remotely located computer. A signal conditioning unit receives keyboard and mouse signals generated by a workstation and generates a data packet which is transmitted to a central crosspoint switch. The packet is routed through a crosspoint switch to another signal conditioning unit located at a remotely located computer. The second signal conditioning unit applies the keyboard and mouse commands to the keyboard and mouse connectors of the computer as if the keyboard and mouse were directly coupled to the remote computer. Video signals produced by the remote computer are transmitted through the crosspoint switch to the workstation. Horizontal and vertical sync signals are encoded on to the video signals to reduce the number of cables that extend between the workstation and the remote computer.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing the delivery of unwanted electronic mail messages to a destination client. An original electronic mail message is first received from a source client at a destination server. Next, a reply electronic mail message is sent from the destination server to the source client requesting the source client to complete a registration process to register the source client's electronic mail address with the destination server. The original electronic mail message is only sent from the destination server to the destination client when the source client properly registers the source client's electronic mail address.

Abstract: The present invention is a network architecture or framework that supports hosting and content distribution on a truly global scale. The inventive framework allows a Content Provider to replicate and serve its most popular content at an unlimited number of points throughout the world. The inventive framework comprises a set of servers operating in a distributed manner. The actual content to be served is preferably supported on a set of hosting servers (sometimes referred to as ghost servers). This content comprises HTML page objects that, conventionally, are served from a Content Provider site. In accordance with the invention, however, a base HTML document portion of a Web page is served from the Content Provider's site while one or more embedded objects for the page are served from the hosting servers, preferably, those hosting servers near the client machine. By serving the base HTML document from the Content Provider's site, the Content Provider maintains control over the content.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and a program storage device embodying software for measuring of the response time of an application (including distributed applications in a client/server or Internet environment) as perceived by an end-user. One aspect deals with the measurement of components of the response time and relating those components to user response time. In addition, the components of one transaction can be matched (or correlated) to each other even though they are measured on different systems. The generation of events and transactions can be controlled, allowing their creation to occur as close to their point of origin as practical. Both aggregate and detail reporting facilities provide overall performance and availability information as well as exceptions and/or detail transactions including the decomposition of overall availability and performance metrics into smaller measurements representing the contribution made by select transaction components.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for predicting physical properties of complex materials are provided. The physical properties are predicted from the electronic structure of the material. The electronic structure is determined using an iterative, computer-based technique. The iterative technique has been found to have a rate of convergence at least an order of magnitude faster than prior techniques for determining electronic structures. Among other applications, the invention is used to prepare materials having selected physical properties under selected conditions.

Abstract: The route calculated by the routing portion of a connection-oriented protocol between source and destination nodes is further optimized after it is initially calculated. A node X that is part of the calculated route receives or generates a connection setup request which contains the calculated route. In response to the setup request, node X examines the nodes in the calculated route to determine if node X knows of a direct link between itself and another node Y in the calculated route that is not adjacent to node X. If such a direct link is known by node X to node Y, then node X replaces that portion of the calculated route from node X to node Y with the known direct link in the connection setup request, and then forwards the connection setup request to the next node in the present calculated route, where the optimization algorithm may be performed again.

Abstract: A system with a network interconnecting a server and a plurality of user stations. A system administrator models users of the system, or user groups, terminals and terminal groups as a hierarchy and sets desktop and user application preferences for each group and for the individual users separately. For a selected group context, say the group of all users of the system, or some subgroup under the group that represents all users, a default set of preferences are determined for a selected user application. The default set is then modified according to preferences that are specifically set forth in the selected group. These preferences may then again modified by a set of preferences that belong specifically to the user.

Abstract: A data processing method for a data processing system having: a server comprising an application program constructed from a plurality of objects, an execution environment constructed from a plurality of objects for specifying operations of the application program and an application program interface for specifying an interface between the application program and the execution environment; and a client for being downloaded with the application program from the server, the data processing method comprising the steps of:having the server execute a check whether or not the client has the execution environment for the application environment to be downloaded when the application program is to be downloaded to the client; andhaving the server download the application program to the client in accordance with the results of the check.

Abstract: A method and system for moving a subtree of objects from a source location to a destination location. The method includes receiving an input identifying a subtree at a source location. The subtree includes a parent object and exists in a hierarchical tree of objects. The directory includes object containment rules which prohibit certain parent/child relationships among the objects. An input signal identifying a destination location in a destination tree is received. A destination location includes a destination object to which the subtree will be subordinate. The parent object of the subtree is modified to an object type sufficient to comply with object containment rules, and the subtree is moved from the source location to the destination location. The present invention can handle both intra-tree and inter-tree moves of subtrees.

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.

Abstract: An message handling system for handling the delivery of critical and time critical messages for a near-real-time or real-time simulation environment. A message delivery type (38) accompanies each message (34) to designate whether the message (34) is delivery critical (46) or time critical (42). A message receiver (50) receives the message (34). A message delivery selector (58) selects a protocol based on the message delivery type (38) as determined by a message type determinator (54). The selected protocol conforms to a message format which has a common header and a message component. The message (34) is then sent to the intended recipient computer via the selected protocol.

Abstract: A method of communicating messages across a network is provided. A router receives an RSVP (Resource Reservation Protocol) PATH message from a sending host that is directed to a receiving host. Upon identifying the protocol of the incoming PATH message as RSVP, the router accesses a proxy look-up table to identify a proxy host acting on behalf of the receiving host. The router then adds a proxy header to the PATH message and redirects the PATH message to the proxy host by sending the message to a predetermined port. The proxy host receives the PATH message and, in response, sends a resource reservation request (RESV) message onto the network with a proxy header and directed to the predetermined port. The router receives the RESV message, strips off the proxy header, and forwards the RESV message to the sending host as if the message had originated from the receiving host. A proxy host can also send PATH messages on behalf of the sending host.

Abstract: Pre-formatted MAC Control PAUSE frames are generated by a MAC device rather than by a switch. These may be automatically generated and transmitted upon the occurrence of a full or near full condition in the input buffer of the MAC device. The MAC device, upon receipt of a MAC Control PAUSE frame, allows a packet in the process of being transmitted to complete transmission prior to implementing the PAUSE. The MAC device is capable of generating MAC Control frames having any desired opcode. The parameter field associated with the MAC Control frame opcode is programmable. The destination address of the MAC Control frame is programmable. Automatic x-on/x-off is implemented. Flags may be set to enable/disable the IEEE 802.3x pause function in the MAC device and to override basic IEEE 802.3x operation in various ways.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for providing information in the form of an insertion to a user during delays in retrieving program material with an interactive system. This may include making a determination of whether the delay is going to be sufficiently long to provide the user with an insertion. In addition, the insertion may be customized to either the user or to the program material requested, or to both the user and the requested program material. The insertion may include control logic that provides the user with control over the insertion and/or the interactive system.

Abstract: A data management system and a method for managing copies of a shared data file maintained on a plurality of computer systems that are connectable via a mobile communications network. The method comprises: for each copy of the shared data file, maintaining a record of modifications made to that copy; retrieving, via connection to the mobile communications network, the records maintained for other copies of the shared data file; merging the retrieved records to generate a sequence of modification; applying predefined rules to the sequence of modifications to resolve conflicts within the sequence of modifications; and modifying the copies of the shared file based on the conflict-resolved sequence of modifications. The solution is not restricted to a particular set of applications. It improves efficiency since it retains communication autonomy from the applications. Applications need not be modified to make use of the facilities provided.