Abstract: A method and system for reliable multicasting on a communication network includes sending Request-to-Send (RTS) signals from a sender node of the network to the receiver nodes, the RTS signals include a set of identifiers corresponding to the receiver nodes. The Clear-to-Send (CTS) signals and Acknowledgment (ACK) signals are sent from the receiver nodes according to an ordering function of the set of identifiers.

Abstract: A method and system for reliable multicasting on a communication network includes sending Request-to-Send (RTS) signals from a sender node of the network to the receiver nodes, the RTS signals include a set of identifiers corresponding to the receiver nodes. The Clear-to-Send (CTS) signals and Acknowledgment (ACK) signals are sent from the receiver nodes according to an ordering function of the set of identifiers.

Abstract: A method for operating a server having a maximum capacity for servicing requests comprises the following steps: receiving a plurality of requests; classifying each request according to a value; determining a priority for handling the request according to the value, such that requests with higher values are assigned higher priorities; placing each request in one of multiple queues according to its priority value; and dropping the requests with the lowest priority when the plurality of requests are received at a rate that exceeds the maximum capacity. The server operates according to a session initiation protocol. Classifying each request comprises running a classification algorithm.

Abstract: A method for routing a communication connection request includes the steps of obtaining context information from a communication connection requester in response to a communication connection request. The steps further include using the context information to determine a communication connection action, and connecting the communication connection requester based upon the connection action.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for web switching without connection termination while providing content routing functionality. Content-aware web switches terminate incoming TCP connections and inspect the HTTP header to recognize the URL (content) being requested from a web server farm. This invention maps application layer information (URLs) to MPLS labels. This allows a standard MPLS switch to provide web switching functionality without terminating TCP connections. In addition to content routing, this method is applied for client session affinity, server load balancing and service differentiation. This invention also relates to using TCP port numbers instead of MPLS labels to achieve web-switching functionality through the use of a TCP router that translates IP address and port numbers.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for web switching without connection termination while providing content routing functionality. Content-aware web switches terminate incoming TCP connections and inspect the HTTP header to recognize the URL (content) being requested from a web server farm. This invention maps application layer information (URLs) to MPLS labels. This allows a standard MPLS switch to provide web switching functionality without terminating TCP connections. In addition to content routing, this method is applied for client session affinity, server load balancing and service differentiation. This invention also relates to using TCP port numbers instead of MPLS labels to achieve web-switching functionality through the use of a TCP router that translates IP address and port numbers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for propagating contextual data in an audio communication by storing the contextual data obtained from a calling party in an extensible mark-up language formatted text document. A telephone call between a first party and a second party is converted to a session initiation protocol based voice over internet protocol communication, and the stored text document is attached to session initiation protocol messages that control the voice over internet protocol communication. The document is attached to the signaling messages by embedding the text document in a session description payload associated with the session initiation protocol message. The attached document is propagated with the audio communication, including when the signaling messages are used to transfer the audio communication from the second party to a third party or to add one or more addition parties to the audio communication.

Abstract: A method and system for reliable multicasting on a communication network includes sending Request-to-Send (RTS) signals from a sender node of the network to the receiver nodes, the RTS signals include a set of identifiers corresponding to the receiver nodes. The Clear-to-Send (CTS) signals and Acknowledgment (ACK) signals are sent from the receiver nodes according to an ordering function of the set of identifiers.

Abstract: Provides methods and apparatus for offering tiered application services for access to network services on a pay-per-use basis in public access networks. Using personal devices, the user can access different tiers of application services on demand, without the need of any preexisting association, e.g., subscription, with the service provider of the wireless access system. Such on-demand access is obtained by providing a variety of personal identifiers, such as a credit card number or frequent flier identification. Moreover, the service offering allows a user through a personal device to modify, enhance or degrade the currently established tier of application services during the lifetime of the user's association with the access network. A network-level enforcement mechanism at access points within the access network ensures user access only to application services within the application service tier that they have paid for, and deny service accesses not within that tier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a session initiation protocol (SIP) infrastructure containing various user devices and the use of this infrastructure to conduct media exchange sessions among the various user devices. Included in the user devices are wearable devices, for example pendants and wrist watches, that provide readily available and accessible devices for use in controlling the media exchange sessions. SIP permits the separation of the control aspects of a session from the actual media exchange aspects to facilitate the use of wearable devices having limited processing resources as control devices. The actual media exchange is directed to user devices suitable for sending, receiving and displaying the exchanged media.

Abstract: This invention describes methods, apparatus and systems for virtualization of iSCSI storage. Virtual storage isolates the clients from the management of physical storage resources. In this invention, each physical storage device supports multiple logical units (LUNs). Each supported LUN is associated with a separate TCP port number and iSCSI commands received on a given port implicitly refer to the associated LUN. An iSCSI host addresses each logical unit of storage (LUN) with a virtual IP address and port number. Using an address translation table, the virtualization gateway rewrites the destination IP address in the header of an incoming packet as well as the destination port number to correspond to the target physical LUN. Migration of logical units across physical storage devices is supported by changing the address translation entries at the gateway; and the gateway can be provided by a standard network router with support for address translation.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for the close coupling of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) with multiplayer network games. Game state dependent voice communications are used as another method of player interaction in the game environment. The system uses SIP enhanced game servers and conference servers with audio mixing capabilities, and the game server controls the creation, maintenance and changing of the voice conferences. Participation in a voice conference is determined by the game state features associated with each player including distance and direction to determine how the voices are mixed in a voice conference.

Abstract: A method for routing a communication connection request includes the steps of obtaining context information from a communication connection requestor in response to a communication connection request. The steps further include using the context information to determine a communication connection action, and connecting the communication connection requestor based upon the connection action.

Abstract: The use of multi-homing to multiple network providers to improve performance of network applications is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a general purpose computer performs primary route control functions, without requiring a special route control device. Route selection is made in accordance with desired metrics which may include relevant to performance, availability, or cost.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for differentiated handling of VoIP call control messages according to their importance and functionality, thus providing to VoIP infrastructures a level of robust call control similar to that in PSTN networks. The invention works by classifying SIP messages by their type or content, and by allocating a VoIP call control server's resources to them according to a policy. The scheme also provides overload protection and prioritized handling of certain kinds of requests in VoIP call control servers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, including apparatus and architecture, and method for providing scheduled and ad hoc voice over IP conference services having enhanced quality and reliability. The system uses an overlay network of geographically distributed conference servers working simultaneously and collaboratively to host a given conference session. Multiple conference servers simultaneously and collaboratively perform the necessary audio mixing. The voice routing path is established and controlled within the overlay network and supports conference services across different conference service providers.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling voice over Internet for computer applications includes registering session initiation protocol (SIP) as a system service and providing SIP service through an application programming interface (API) to permit access to service functions by individual software applications. A SIP link is provided within a software application to permit user invocation of SIP service functions. The link may be passed as a parameter to permit external access to an invoked service function.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for validating that transformations that are expected to occur in an IP network are indeed occurring as expected. Generally, these transformations establish logical communication tunnels within an IP network between the devices that perform the transformation and the devices that perform the reverse transformation. The invention is useful to validate the configuration of devices that support a variety of IP transformation methods, including IP-security protocols using the standard Encrypted Secure Payload protocol and Authenticated Header protocols as defined by the IETF. The invention is particularly useful to validate cases in which transformations occur on the full path of a packet traversing between two machines in an IP network, or when the transformations only occur on part of this path.

Abstract: Mobile terminal handoff control is provided for point to multipoint (PMP) connections in Mobile ATM networks. Special issues for the handoff control in all three types of PMP connections are taken care of, including cross over switch discovery and handoff path re-routing. A protocol for a PMP connections signaling mechanism is presented, which works with all three types of PMP connections and has a lossless control function. The PMP connection tree topology is protected.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, apparatus and systems that allow devices to enter and leave a local domain often and still allow consumers of the service provided by the device to easily detect its availability. To achieve this, an example embodiment locates a “service discovery proxy” in the local domain. On receiving a service discovery request from a remote inquirer, the proxy resolves the service request based on those services that are determined to be dynamically available in the local domain at that time. The proxy resolves the incoming service request within its local domain by using any method for local service discovery. The response to the service discovery received from the local devices is customized by the service discovery proxy, wherein the customization includes formatting, filtering, aggregating, and/or selecting particular responses. The proxy then sends the customized response back to the remote inquirer.