Abstract: This invention is an online system to forward and discuss messages of common interest among members of the system. The system is based on a central server that manages all member accounts, messages and message flow among the members. The system introduces the concept of private comments on a public message. While the message is open to all members of the system, each comment on the message is restricted to be viewed only by members to whom the comment is sent to. This allows an email like interface to forward and discuss the same message among different groups of people. The system also provides metrics related to the overall reach and popularity of the message.

Abstract: A method for providing network services includes receiving a mobile station identifier (MSID) from a mobile node at a packet data serving node. The packet data serving node is operable to communicate with the mobile node. The method includes receiving a registration request (RRQ) from the mobile node and appending the MSID to the RRQ. The method includes forwarding the RRQ to a home agent. The home agent is operable to communicate with the packet data serving node. The method also includes receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) address from the home agent. The IP address corresponds to the MSID. The MSID may be included in a normal vendor specific extension (NVSE) constructed by the packet data serving node. Appending the MSID to the RRQ may comprise appending the NVSE to the RRQ.

Abstract: A system and method enables gradual transitioning of a server, such as a filer, to a new security domain and/or IP address scheme. A single physical platform may comprise multiple logical servers, such as virtual filers (vfilers), that simultaneously participate in different security domains and IP address schemes. Each logical server is allocated its own set of storage resources, such as volumes and qtrees, and network resources, such as network addresses. Additionally, a common set of storage resources may store a data set that is accessible to logical servers that participate in the different security domains and/or IP address schemes. Therefore, the server can transition from an old security domain to a new, e.g., upgraded, security domain, by gradually phasing out file access requests sent to a logical server in the old domain and redirecting those requests to a logical server in the new security domain.

Abstract: A method for soft handoff across different networks is disclosed. A first communication link through a first network is used for communicating between a first user agent and a second user agent. The user agents negotiate to use a second communication link for the same call. The second communication link is established through a second network between the first user agent and the second user agent while maintaining the first communication link. Related data is sent through the first communication link and the second communication link such that the related data is for the same call. The first communication link is dropped and communication is continued using the second communication link.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for distributed behavior controlled execution of modeled applications. Embodiments of the invention facilitate the interoperation of a central data store along with various peer-to-peer functionalities. Thus, distributed applications can be executed in an environment that utilizes advantages of both a central data store and peer-to-peer messaging. A read-only portion of a centralized data store can be used to provide some behavior control over various processing systems during execution of a distributed software application. Thus, embodiments of the invention can be used to form a policy-driven collective of nodes forming a distributed, decentralized run-time for model-based applications. Utilizing a cooperating collective of nodes that comply with centralized polices and execute applications over a peer-to-peer fabric permits a distributed application runtime to accommodate distribution and decentralization on a large scale.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing firewalls in a communication system comprising a server farm wherein any user connected to the Internet can access customer servers, and at least two firewalls using a Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) to set up as primary interface firewall the firewall which owns the primary interface of the VRRP group of interfaces to at least one customer server. The method includes initializing, in a secondary interface firewall, a synchronization message exchange with the primary firewall after receiving a packet for a connection having a state which is incompatible with the received packet or after the standard firewall processing of a packet corresponding to a new connection, and registering in a common connection table the state of any connection if the connection is new or if the connection state has changed.

Abstract: An algorithm facilitates optimization functionality for generating optimized response information. In facilitating such optimization, non-essential elements of the response information (i.e., unneeded for system interpretation) are eliminated thereby reducing the size of the response information and generating optimized response information as well as reducing the memory footprint of cache required for storing such optimized response information. Examples of such non-essential elements of response information include, but are not limited to, indention characters, tab characters, blank space characters and the like. Such optimization functionality is tailored to optimizing the size of response information being transmitted from a server. More specifically, it provides for reduction in bandwidth occupied by outgoing response information from a transmitting a server.

Abstract: A proximity-based content control method “propagates” or positions content based upon “proximity” between various nodes on a network. The nodes between which the content is propagated include content libraries, servers, and clients. In one case, the relative proximities of two content servers to a particular client or group of clients determines which of these servers serves client requests. In another case, the method employs anticipatory loading of content from a library to a server based upon the server's proximity to a given client-base. Yet another application involves adding or removing server capacity to a network based upon proximity to clients. Another application applies proximity affects to cache release algorithms. A “content control system” calculates proximity dynamically and automatically decides whether to move content based upon the proximity calculation.

Abstract: A digital relay, for regulating the operation of a power distribution apparatus, comprising a computerized interface, which includes at least a computerized module providing HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) services.

Abstract: The invention relates to communications, particularly but not exclusively broadband communications. One facet of the present invention relates to provisioning of services in a communications network and finds particular, but not exclusive, application in a broadband network environment or other environment where services are provisioned. The provisioning of services will now be discussed in more detail.

Abstract: A video server for transmitting video across a network to a plurality of users includes a coder (112) which operates in response to call requests or instructions received across the network (102) from individual clients (104, 106). The server maintains in memory a series of user status records (116), one for each of the users. Each record includes, or refers to, a copy of a previous frame sent to the respective user. When the coder (112) receives a call request, it uses the previously-sent frame for that user to optimise coding the current frame that is to be sent, received from a frame grabber (110). The invention avoids the difficulties of video broadcasting while still requiring only a single instance of a video coder.

Abstract: A server for data streaming encodes multimedia signals at bit rates compatible with a connection of time-varying conditions and informs a client receiving a multimedia signal of changing bit rates and causes of change. The server supports several clients and includes a flow controller and at least one encoder. The flow controller derives metrics from measurements to determine a permissible transmission rate from the server to each active client. An encoder adapts individual transmission rates of signals according to respective permissible transmission rates. An overlay module, coupled to a multimedia signal source, the flow controller, and an encoder, superimposes informative insertions indicating permissible transmission rates and associated metrics on a multimedia signal to inform a client of changing transmission rates and causes of change. An informative insertion has a predefined duration and is sent either periodically or following a substantial change of network conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for communicating media over a network including encoding the media into a server database at a server, downloading from the server database to a client database generally only those portions of the media which are necessary to satisfy user requests and in response to a user request for a given item of media, determining whether the media is present in the client database, and if not, automatically downloading those portions of the media which are necessary to supply the user with the given item of media from the server database.

Abstract: An architecture, system, and method are provided for transparently mapping a network identification number of a host to an access point of an internet. The host can be moved from a first point to a second point on the internet without having to reconfigure routing tables or to update routing protocols. The network identification number of the host does not change as it is moved from the first point to the second point. Thus, the network identification number of the host does not perform routing. Instead, routing occurs by targeting the exit end module onto which the host is connected, i.e., at the second point. The exit end module thereby contains configuration registers which store mapping tables that note the new destination address of any data being sent to the new host location, and properties such as security and priority codes.

Abstract: A method for managing network access is provided that includes receiving a signal indicating a change in a network parameter, the change reflecting that an end user associated with a communication session has changed from using a first network node to a second network node. Each of the network nodes is operable to facilitate the communication session associated with the end user. The method also includes communicating with a billing system element to notify the billing system element of the change in the network parameter and receiving quota information for the end user associated with the second network node. The billing information associated with the second network node may be applied to the communication session, the billing information being based on the quota information.

Abstract: A method and system for analysing and measuring multiple sources of data over a communications network (18) so as to ascertain information or usage of one or more resources, such as resource servers (2). A data collection and processing means (20) collects and processes the data sources which are forwarded to a reporting server (34) as a combined data source made available to interested parties.

Abstract: A method and system for analysing and measuring multiple sources of data over a communications network (18) so as to ascertain information or usage of one or more resources, such as resource servers (2). A data collection and processing means (20) collects and processes the data sources which are forwarded to a reporting server (34) as a combined data source made available to interested parties.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for communicating media over a network including encoding the media into a server database at a server, downloading from the server database to a client database generally only those portions of the media which are necessary to satisfy user requests and in response to a user request for a given item of media, determining whether the media is present in the client database, and if not, automatically downloading those portions of the media which are necessary to supply the user with the given item of media from the server database.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distributed system control method information processing apparatus that enables a user to ascertain easily and in real time the environment around such user, that is, the status of other users and of peripheral devices, during use of the distributed system, in particular enabling the user to obtain easily information on peripheral devices the user is permitted to use. In a distributed system in which a plurality of user terminals and peripheral devices are dispersed, information indicating the current status of the users of the user terminals and information indicating the current status of the peripheral devices is stored, updated according to changes in status, and the current status of users of other user terminals and the current status of the peripheral devices selectively displayed on the same display screen at each of the plurality of user terminals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for receiving and storing a message addressed to an intended recipient and for delivering the message to a client computer that has a graphical user interface. The received message is stored in a restricted-access message storage area associated with the intended recipient. A hyper-text transfer protocol daemon receives requests to access the storage area and the message, and transmits at least part of the message to the client computer.