Abstract: A network communications protocol to allow endpoints in a computer network to communicate their respective requirements for access to a network resource to each other, and to communicate a policy for access to the network resource by the endpoints. The network protocol may also allow negotiation of access to the network resource for the respective endpoint in accordance with the policy and the requirements information communicated by other endpoints. The network resource may be access to a WAN connection or an Internet connection, or may be a device such as a network printer or network attached storage.

Abstract: A method of contactlessly machining a workpiece (16) is disclosed. A tool (2) is advanced in a direction towards the face of the workpiece (20), thereby removing material from the face of the workpiece (20) by a change of state of the material induced by its proximity to the tool (2). Also disclosed are number of tools which allow rapid simultaneous machining of a plurality of bladed disks.

Abstract: A network communications protocol to allow and points In a computer to communicate their respective requirements for access to a network resource to each other, and to communicate a policy for access to the network resource by said endpoints, and to allow negotiation of access to the network resource for the respective endpoint in accordance with the policy and the requirements information communicated by other endpoints. The network resource may be access to a WAN connection or an Internet connection, or may be a device such as a network printer or network attached storage.

Abstract: A method for shaping packet switched data traffic between a terminal device of a type including an operating system adapted to execute a plurality of applications and a network resource. The method includes selecting of an allocation policy to allocate access to the network resource between one or more primary applications and other applications and selecting characteristics associated with a primary application. The method examines interactions between one or more applications and the operating system to identify which of a plurality of applications is the primary application and classifies data packets according to their association with the primary application. A step of allocating access to the network resource in accordance with the policy is included.