Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium being operable to associate each of a plurality of tenants with a respective virtual portal and individually meter virtual portal usage at each respective virtual portal. Additionally, the computer executable code is operable to determine a fee amount for the each of the plurality of tenants based on the individually metered virtual portal usage.

Abstract: A method for communication includes receiving a request from a first party, submitted via a first communication service provider to a telephony application, to place a call using the application to a second party. Responsive to a characteristic of the call placed by the first party, a second communication service provider is selected to carry the call between the application and the second party. The second party is then connected via the second communication service provider to communicate with the first party using the application.

Abstract: A system and method of propagating subscriber and offer identities in URL patterns for multi-tenant systems are provided. The method in one aspect comprises intercepting a request for accessing a web service, the request being in a virtual URI format that includes at least a service access point, subscriber identity and offer identity. The method may further include resolving the virtual URI to determine customer identity, offer identity and destination information, invoking a web service defined in the destination information and returning results of the invoking step. A system, in one aspect, may comprise a router operable to receive a virtual URI, and a route rules database operable to store rules associated with resolving the virtual URI, the router further operable to invoke a service associated with a service access point specified in the virtual URI and return results of the invocation to a requestor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for load-balancing a data network, which is configured with a plurality of servers for servicing client requests asynchronously, and with a network dispatcher for assigning each new request to a selected server. The servers generate metrics indicative of their currently assigned workloads. The network dispatcher receives the metrics, and allocates requests according to weighted server probabilities reflecting the servers' capabilities and the metrics. Connections with the client are thereupon terminated, and reinstated after service of the request. The servers may be weighted in accordance with their respective capabilities, and the metrics adjusted by the weights.

Abstract: A voice processing system includes a real-time voice server, which is arranged to process real-time voice processing tasks for clients of the system. A gateway processor is arranged to accept from a client a request to perform an off-line voice processing task, to convert the off-line voice processing task into an equivalent real-time voice processing task, to invoke the voice server to process the equivalent real-time voice processing task, and to output a result of the equivalent real-time voice processing task.

Abstract: An inexpensive storage system is disclosed along with methods of managing such a system. In one preferred embodiment, the system includes a high performance high reliability storage medium configured for initial storage of data, a low performance high reliability storage medium configured for backup of data initially stored on the high performance high reliability storage medium, and a high performance low reliability storage medium, configured to receive data transferred from the high performance high reliability storage medium, after the data has been backed up on the low performance high reliability storage medium. This significantly reduces the cost of the system without substantially comprising performance. Reliability is likewise maintained owing to the high reliability backup.

Abstract: An inexpensive storage system is disclosed along with methods of managing such a system. In one preferred embodiment, the system includes a high performance high reliability storage medium configured for initial storage of data, a low performance high reliability storage medium configured for backup of data initially stored on the high performance high reliability storage medium, and a high performance low reliability storage medium, configured to receive data transferred from the high performance high reliability storage medium, after the data has been backed up on the low performance high reliability storage medium. This significantly reduces the cost of the system without substantially comprising performance. Reliability is likewise maintained owing to the high reliability backup.

Abstract: A method for communication includes receiving a request from a first party, submitted via a first communication service provider to a telephony application, to place a call using the application to a second party. Responsive to a characteristic of the call placed by the first party, a second communication service provider is selected to carry the call between the application and the second party. The second party is then connected via the second communication service provider to communicate with the first party using the application.