Abstract: A network comprises a plurality of interconnected switches that implement a topology database synchronization technique in which each switch determines whether its topology database has already been transmitted to a neighboring switch when a new link is formed to the neighboring switch. When a new electrical connection is detected, the local switch determines whether any of its other ports have already been connected to the same neighboring switch. If no other port on the local switch has been connected to the neighboring switch, the local switch transmits its topology database to the neighboring switch. If the local switch determines that it has already been connected to the neighboring switch via another one of its ports, the local switch does not yet again copy of the database to the neighboring switch. Also, link state record updates are propagated via only one inter-switch link to a neighboring switch, not all possible links.

Abstract: A network device is provided. The network device includes a controller configured to identify a head portion of a data packet received by the network device, and inhibit a transmission of the head portions of two received data packets from consecutive slots in a transmission cycle.

Abstract: A system and method scales private Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) to a large computer network, such as a very large Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), so that the VLAN designations can be re-used across the network. In the illustrative embodiment, the MAN includes different groups of Layer 2 (L2) switches that are logically organized into Islands interconnected by an interconnect fabric. Within each Island, Customer-Equipment VLAN Identifiers (CE-VLAN IDs) are mapped to MAN Provider-Equipment VLAN IDs (PE-VLAN IDs). The PE-VLAN IDs defined within the MAN support the creation of Private VLANs. Each Private VLAN includes one Primary VLAN, one Isolated VLAN and may include one or more Community VLANs. Different PE-VLAN IDs may be used as the Primary, Isolated and Community VLANs in different Islands.

Abstract: A system for analysing network traffic, particularly to detect suspect packets and identify attacks or potential attacks. Data packets which meet defined criteria are detected and their details forwarded to a database server where the details are stored so as to be accessible for use in analysis in conjunction with the details of other detected packets. Packet detection uses a tap and a packet factory which creates a packet for analysis consisting of the received packet and a unique identifier. A series of adapters are used to apply functions to different parts of the packets, to detect those meeting the criteria.

Abstract: A composite resource is established that includes a plurality of members. Each of the members is capable of providing a comparable service. A coordinator monitors a state of each member of the composite resource. A component requests the service from the coordinator. The coordinator arranges for the service to be provided to the component by a particular member of the composite resource. When the particular member ceases to be active, the service is automatically provided to the component by another member in the composite resource. A state of the composite resource is maintained independently of the state of each member in the composite resource.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communications system (1) for handling communications sessions, for example multimedia calls or voice calls. The communications system (1) comprises a local terminal (10), an external server (40), a proxy interface agent (PIA) (11) between the terminal (10) and a shared network (20). The communication means includes a NAT function (32) through which the communications session must pass. The communications session is carried over the network (20) over one or more logical channels between the terminal (10) and the external server (40), during which the first NAT function (32) applies network address mappings on the terminal's transport addresses (14). The PIA (11) acts on behalf of the terminal (10) in communications with the external server (40), and establishes a logical channel on an outbound connection to the server that serves as a control channel between the PIA (11) and the server (40).

Abstract: How to allow requests and data, which are relevant to a service using an IC (Integrated Circuit), to be exchanged among a SAM unit serving as a data-processing apparatus, a server and the integrated circuit with a high degree of efficiency in an operation to render the service. The server transmits a first command requesting an IC module (the integrated circuit cited above) of a portable communication apparatus to carry out processing to the SAM unit. The SAM unit interprets the first command and transmits a second command for operating the IC module in accordance with a result of interpretation of the first command to the IC module by way of the server. The IC module carries out the processing in accordance with the second command and transmits a first response containing a result of the processing to the SAM unit by way of the server.

Abstract: A method and system for resolving domain name system (DNS) queries in a multiprotocol communications network is disclosed. The disclosed method includes in one embodiment receiving a destination address from a DNS server utilizing a first protocol; and communicating with a network element associated with the destination address utilizing a second protocol. In another embodiment, the disclosed method includes maintaining a profile for the DNS server and selecting the DNS server from a plurality of DNS servers utilizing the profile. In yet another embodiment, the disclosed method includes requesting a first address from the DNS server, where the first address is formatted according to a primary protocol, detecting a request failure in response to the request, and requesting a second address from the DNS server, where the second address is formatted according to a secondary protocol, in response to detecting the request failure.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving an electronic information service (also called an online graphical message service) hosted by a computer system (e.g., a server) connected to a network. Remote users can write information into and read information from the information service over the network. In response to a request from a first user, the service may create a first information object that comprises a partial area of a virtual pixel area. The virtual pixel area may include information written by the remote users. Then, the service may transmit the first information object via the network to the first user. Later, the service may receive a second information object from the first user corresponding to at least part of the partial area of the virtual pixel area. The second information object may include modifications the first user made to the partial area of the virtual pixel area. The service may then update the virtual pixel area utilizing the received second information object.

Abstract: A method of communication involving processing by instruction using one or a combination of information units, when a user instructs a terminal to display contents and procedure of a communication, or to totalize the contents of the communication, or when a manager terminal instructs a field of the communication to provide a function of the communication corresponding to an object or stage of the communication. Information units forming the contents of the communication include cards, and information units forming premising information of a communication and a basis of the communication include boards. An information unit comprises a board identifier and attribute information for specifying a function of a board, such as a relationship between the board and cards. To provide a communication function corresponding to an object and stage of the communication, a template conforms to the object and stage so a manager can select and utilize the template.

Abstract: A method for providing message information to a subscriber in a wireless network includes reading a cookie from a browser, modifying the cookie with the message information, transmitting the modified cookie to the browser, and displaying data to the subscriber based on the message information contained in the cookie.

Abstract: A storage array interconnection fabric may be configured using multiple independent paths. A storage system including a plurality of communication paths is configured for connecting each node of a plurality of nodes forming an interconnection fabric. Each of the communications paths is an independent communications path. In addition, a first portion of the plurality of nodes is configured to communicate with a plurality of mass storage devices such as disk drives. A second portion of the plurality of nodes may be configured to communicate with a host.

Abstract: A handle administration system is described in which software agents receive handles to various resources that they can use to obtain the resources. The described embodiments provide multiple states that can be assumed by the handles. An unassigned state is provided in which handles are not assigned to a particular resource, nor can they be dereferenced to obtain pointers to any resources. An assigned state is provided in which handles are assigned to a particular resource and can be dereferenced to obtain a pointer to the resource. A suspended state is provided in which the handles are assigned to a particular resource but cannot be dereferenced to obtain a pointer to that resource. Advantageously, a suspended handle can be reinstated to assume the assigned state. In one embodiment, the handle system is implemented by incorporating a suitable field in a handle database that is used to indicate that a handle is suspended. In another embodiment, no additional fields are necessary.

Abstract: A method of creating a copy of a virtualized storage region in a data processing system for virtualizing the storage region. A server manages the correlation between the virtualized storage region and the physical storage region, utilizes the function of the storage unit for those physical storage regions having a function, and the function for those physical storage regions without the function, to efficiently copy the virtualized storage region.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for managing devices in a network. A command of a first type to perform device management operations with respect to at least one device in the network is received, wherein the received command is capable of being directed to at least one of a plurality of devices in the network. A determination is made from a first mapping of a network address of the device to which the received command is directed. A determination is made from a second mapping of at least one command of a second type associated with the received command of the first type, wherein the mapping indicates a mapping of at least one parameter included in the received command of the first type to at least one parameter in the associated command of the second type.

Abstract: A system and method for providing the dynamic geographic location of a computing device to location aware applications. This system and method enables the location aware applications to enhance the user experience by taking the dynamic geographic location of a user into account in its operations. Location providers associated with the computing device provide dynamic geographic data associated with the geographic location of the user. The dynamic geographic data is converted to a common format that is recognized by the location aware applications. The location aware applications incorporate the dynamic location in presenting information to the user.

Abstract: A handle administration system is described in which software agents receive handles to various resources that they can use to obtain the resources. The described embodiments provide multiple states that can be assumed by the handles. An unassigned state is provided in which handles are not assigned to a particular resource, nor can they be dereferenced to obtain pointers to any resources. An assigned state is provided in which handles are assigned to a particular resource and can be dereferenced to obtain a pointer to the resource. A suspended state is provided in which the handles are assigned to a particular resource but cannot be dereferenced to obtain a pointer to that resource. Advantageously, a suspended handle can be reinstated to assume the assigned state. In one embodiment, the handle system is implemented by incorporating a suitable field in a handle database that is used to indicate that a handle is suspended. In another embodiment, no additional fields are necessary.

Abstract: The capability to transfer files to and edit files in an integrated development environment is disclosed. The source files may be located on a remote computer system across a network, such as the Internet. The local system upon which the integrated development environment is executing and the remote system having the source files may have different operating systems, different geographical locations with different human languages, and/or different programming languages. The disclosure herein requests the source file on the remote system and then encodes the differences between the languages and/or the operating system by reading the extension of the source file. These encoded differences are translated when the remote file is opened in the local integrated development environment with an editor. The editor may be a LPEX editor if the files are members of an OS/400 operating system, or the editor may be an operating system editor for a file having the source file's extension, or a default text editor.

Abstract: To provide a collaboration system and its chat system wherein a chat can be conducted by designating clearly and simply a position of an object to be noticed in a working image. [Constitution] A plurality of terminal devices 100 and a chat server 300 supporting a chat are provided. By managing a display position, on a display screen, of a chat window for performing a chat in the terminal devices 100 and the chat server 300, display positions of chat windows are synchronized between the terminal devices 100 that conduct a chat. The chat window is displayed correspondingly to a given element displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: Enabling the user to link a selected sequence of hypertext World Wide Web (Web) documents into a string and to store the string at his receiving Web display station so that these documents will be available for his use. An implementation at a receiving display station is provided for designating a received Web document as a starter document and for selecting a subsequently received Web document as a first next document. An implementation is provided for creating a hyperlink in the starter document to the first next document, together with means for storing said starter and next documents at said receiving display station. The invention further provides for an extension of the selected documents into a string through selecting one or more subsequently received Web documents as a subsequent next document and creating a hyperlink in the first next document to the subsequent next document.