Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating communication between client computers is provided. The method provides for the use of ping probing by a server to determine the types of NAT devices and/or firewalls protecting the client computers. Once these are determined, the server can predict the response to communications from the client computers and instruct the client computers to contact each other. Once a session or tunnel is established it can be maintained through the use of a flag, even if contact with the server is lost.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating communication between client computers is provided. The method provides for the use of ping probing by a server to determine the types of NAT devices and/or firewalls protecting the client computers. Once these are determined, the server can predict the response to communications from the client computers and instruct the client computers to contact each other. Once a session or tunnel is established it can be maintained through the use of a flag, even if contact with the server is lost.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating application performance are provided. According to one embodiment, one or more tests involving an application exchange are performed by one or more computer systems at a control location with an application provided by a target location not in proximity to the control location. A control-target path profile is determined by performing one or more network tests over a network path between the control location and the target location. A test-target path profile is determined by performing one or more network tests. A target profile is generated based on results of the one or more tests involving the application exchange with the application and the control-target path profile. Finally, an estimate of one or more performance metrics of an application exchange with the application between a test location and the target location is provided based on the test-target path profile and the target profile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating communication between client computers is provided. The method provides for the use of ping probing by a server to determine the types of NAT devices and/or firewalls protecting the client computers. Once these are determined, the server can predict the response to communications from the client computers and instruct the client computers to contact each other. Once a session or tunnel is established it can be maintained through the use of a flag, even if contact with the server is lost.

Abstract: A system and method to enable the secure transfer of information between nodes in a workgroup over a public network by facilitating the creation of a virtual private network (VPN). The system preferably includes at least a pair of nodes and a VPN server. The system preferably is centrally managed such that when an attribute relating to a node or server is revised, the configuration information related to that attributed is updated at each node within the VPN. The system further preferably includes a datastore linked to the server and a client application located at each node.