Abstract: A method for configuration of a program with a plurality of configuration variables to operate on a computer system that includes obtaining a plurality of priority semantics for the plurality of configuration variables, wherein the plurality of priority semantics are heterogeneous, assigning a value for each of the plurality of configuration variables based on the plurality of priority semantics, and configuring the program using the value to operate on the computer system.

Abstract: A method for providing strong security in an insecure network, involving creating a payload associated with a data packet for transmission by a sending node, determining whether the payload is associated with a unicast data packet, if the payload is associated with the unicast data packet encrypting the payload using a private key associated with the sending node to obtain a unicast encrypted payload, encrypting the unicast encrypted payload using a public key associated with a receiving node to obtain a double-encrypted payload, and transmitting the data packet including the double-encrypted payload to the receiving node over the insecure network.

Abstract: A method for configuring a switch with a switch controller that includes obtaining a switch program, wherein the switch program comprises a plurality of instructions written using a switch control language, and executing the switch program on the switch controller, wherein executing the switch program includes for each instruction in the plurality of instructions determining a switch specified by the instruction, sending the instruction to the switch, and configuring the switch based on the instruction.