Abstract: In a system where a plurality of mobile terminals shares a data of the server, upon issuing an update request data of server from the mobile terminals, without depending on the stability of the communication method used by the mobile terminals, a fair data updating becomes possible which only relies on an issuing order of the update request. In the present system, the clock module is provided to all the mobile terminals and the server having a synchronized time. The mobile terminal adds the update request issuing time obtained from the timing module to the update request data upon issuing the update request data, and the update request data is repeatedly sent until the server receives it. During the repeated transmission, an issuing time attached to the update request is identical to the original issuing time, and the server processes the data update request received within the update request reception period in an order of the issuing time.

Abstract: A communication apparatus contains a first table having entries each storing a data-link-layer path to a second communication apparatus, and a second table storing a pointer to the entry of the first table, storing the data-link-layer path to the second communication apparatus, corresponding to a network-layer address of one of the at least one other communication apparatus. In addition, a process for determining layer-2 reachability between first and second communication apparatuses, identifies first and second layer-2-connected communication networks to which first and second interfaces of first and second routers are connected, where, on a layer-3 communication path between the first and second communication apparatuses, the first router is located nearest the first communication apparatus and the second router is located nearest the second communication apparatus. When first and second layer-2-connected communication networks are identical, the layer-2 reachability is determined.

Abstract: An intelligent management module application programming interface that facilitates use of network management software in multiple operating environments is provided. The intelligent API provides an interface that facilitates development of cross-platform software to support managed devices on a network. The intelligent API permits such software to work in a variety of operating environments with minimal code per device. The interface additionally provides features which minimize the development effort needed before a new device is supported by the management module. Features include a mechanism for engaging an SNMP session in all operating environments supported by the network management software. Additionally, a mechanism for easily adding buttons, with behavior dependent on the particular operating environment, to a user interface, as well as providing a help button for all environments, is provided.

Abstract: A method for enabling users to exchange group electronic mail by establishing individual profiles and criteria, for determining personalized subsets within a group. Users establish subscriptions to an electronic mailing list by specifying user profile data and acceptance criteria data to screen other users. When a user subscribes, a web server establishes and stores an individualized recipient list including each matching subscriber and their degree of one-way or mutual match with the user. When the user then sends a message to the mailing list, an email server retrieves 100% her matches and then optionally filters her recipient list down to a message distribution list using each recipient's message criteria. The message is then distributed to matching users. Additionally, email archives and information contributions from users are stored in a database. A web server creates an individualized set of web pages for a user from the database, containing contributions only from users in his recipient list.

Abstract: A remote data acquisition and transmission system and method are disclosed. A plurality of application controllers are interfaced with remote equipment from which operation data is acquired by the application controllers. The application controllers communicate with an application host via a local area network, and the application host can communicate with a network operations center using a wide area network interface. In one embodiment, each application controller interfaces with remote equipment that comprises a vending machine.

Abstract: A system has a number of managing systems managing a number of managed systems including a number of managed objects of one or more different types representing resources. The managed objects are arranged in a management information tree structure. Type data on managed objects is stored and algorithms are used to provide information on mapping between managed objects and resources and/or information about sub-trees of the naming tree.

Abstract: A server processing method for use in a client/server computing system which carries out transactions, includes steps of: receiving a command from a client process to signify the beginning of a transaction; determining whether a local transaction creator exists; and forwarding on the command to another server if a local transaction creator does not exist and for locally creating transaction state data if a local transaction creator does exist.

Abstract: A communication system for improving communication over a data network between an application and remote systems where each of the remote systems is configured to communicate using at least one of multiple transport layer communication protocols. The communication system accepts a request from the application to communicate with one of the remote systems, selects a transport layer communication protocols for communicating with the requested remote system, and communicates using the selected transport protocol with the requested system. In addition, the system may select one of multiple network layer communication protocols to communicate with the requested remote system. The application may be configured to communicate using a first of the transport protocols and request to communicate with a remote system using that first protocol, while the selected protocol may be another protocol.

Abstract: Subnet directed broadcasts for initial program load of network stations are not gated by clients on a slower subnet and changes in the source IP address to accommodate multiple IOPs and load balancing are permitted. A subnet broadcast server transfers a datagram including the load program together with a subnet broadcast identifier and source port identifier to client network stations on a subnet basis. Routers at subnets not matching the subnet broadcast identifier unicast the datagram to a next gateway; and routers at broadcast identifier matching subnets data link layer broadcast unicasted datagrams from intervening subnets to all neighbors on the matching subnet while disregarding forwarding this data link layer broadcast to any adjoining subnets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus transfer digital images on a network. A signature list is first examined wherein the signature list includes a unique signature for each of the digital images requested for transfer. The signature list is used to determine whether each of the digital images is present or missing. For each of the digital images that is determined missing, the digital image is then received. Updated information is also received pertaining to the each of the digital images that is determined present. Data integrity is checked to ensure that the each of the digital images was successfully transferred. Finally, the steps of receiving the digital images and checking data integrity are repeated for the each of the digital images that was unsuccessfully transferred.