Patents by Inventor Azer Bestavros

Azer Bestavros has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9495542
    Abstract: A method for software inspection analyzes a body of computer code to assess whether the body of computer code contains malware. Various embodiments extract the executable elements of the body of computer code and modify those elements using rules defining the format of instructions for the programming language in which the computer code was written, and using rules defined from the security specification of that programming language, to produce a model of the body of computer code. The method then analyzes the model using a model checking system, which determines whether any of the language rules have been violated, in which case the method flags the computer code as potentially including malware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Mark C. Reynolds, Azer Bestavros, Assaf J. Kfoury
  • Publication number: 20140245440
    Abstract: A method for software inspection analyzes a body of computer code to assess whether the body of computer code contains malware. Various embodiments extract the executable elements of the body of computer code and modify those elements using rules defining the format of instructions for the programming language in which the computer code was written, and using rules defined from the security specification of that programming language, to produce a model of the body of computer code. The method then analyzes the model using a model checking system, which determines whether any of the language rules have been violated, in which case the method flags the computer code as potentially including malware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Trustees of Boston Univeristy
    Inventors: Mark C. Reynolds, Azer Bestavros, Assaf J. Kfoury
  • Patent number: 7747741
    Abstract: A method for distributing information to a plurality of servers is described. The information is transmitted from a control manager server to a first group leader server. The first group leader server transmits the information to a second group leader server. The second group leader server requests instructions from the control manager server. The second group leader server then transmits, in response to the instructions, the information to a further group leader server. The first group leader server transmits the information to back end servers belonging to a group of the first group leader server. The second group leader server transmits the information to back end servers belonging to a group of the second group leader server. The further group leader server transmits the information to back end servers belonging to a group of the further group leader server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Net App, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay R. Basani, Krishna Mangipudi, Lynne M. Murach, Leroy R. Karge, Vitaly S. Revsin, Azer Bestavros, Mark E. Crovella, Domenic J. LaRosa
  • Patent number: 7451221
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for control and distribution of data files in large-scale distributed networks. Members of a group of servers in a multicast network elect a group leader whenever a new group leader is required, as detected by absence of a periodic message published by the leader. Election is carried out by a system of voting by each candidate whereby each candidate has a priority calculated from its configuration, and the server with the highest priority is configured to claim the leadership faster than the other candidates. As part of the claim, each candidate multicasts its priority. Each candidate that receives a multicast claim for leadership from another candidate compares its own priority against the claimant and only votes for itself if its own priority is higher. After a preconfigured period of hearing no other claimants with higher priority, the candidate with the highest priority becomes the new leader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Network Appliance, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay R. Basani, Krishna Mangipudi, Lynne M. Murach, Leroy R. Karge, Vitaly S. Revsin, Azer Bestavros, Mark E. Crovella, Domenic J. LaRosa
  • Publication number: 20080177861
    Abstract: A method for distributing information to a plurality of servers is described. The information is transmitted from a control manager server to a first group leader server. The first group leader server transmits the information to a second group leader server. The second group leader server requests instructions from the control manager server. The second group leader server then transmits, in response to the instructions, the information to a further group leader server. The first group leader server transmits the information to back end servers belonging to a group of the first group leader server. The second group leader server transmits the information to back end servers belonging to a group of the second group leader server. The further group leader server transmits the information to back end servers belonging to a group of the further group leader server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Vijay R. Basani, Krishna Mangipudi, Lynne M. Murach, Leroy R. Karge, Vitaly S. Revsin, Azer Bestavros, Mark E. Crovella, Domenic J. LaRosa
  • Patent number: 7346682
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and apparatus for efficient and reliable, control and distribution of data files or portions of files, applications, or other data objects in large-scale distributed networks. A unique content-management front-end provides efficient controls for triggering distribution of digitized data content to selected groups of a large number of remote computer servers. Network distribution messages are dispatched according to a sorted list of servers, based on factors such as nearness, server processor speed, reliability, and CPU Usage. For large numbers of servers, a store-and-forward approach becomes much more efficient. A first selected server receives the message from a content control manager (CCM). The first server requests instructions for the next server listed on an ordered list in the CCM and forwards a copy of that message to the next identified server. Each server reports its completion and requests further instructions from the CCM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Network Appliance, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay R. Basani, Krishna Mangipudi, Lynne M. Murach, Leroy R. Karge, Vitaly S. Revsin, Azer Bestavros, Mark E. Crovella, Domenic J. LaRosa
  • Patent number: 6993587
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and apparatus for efficient and reliable, control and distribution of data files in large-scale distributed networks. The members of a group of servers in a multicast network elect a group leader whenever a new group leader is required, as when the prior group leader become unavailable, as detected by absence of a periodic heartbeat message published by the leader. The election is carried out by a system of voting by each candidate whereby each candidate has a priority calculated from its configuration, and the server with the highest priority is configured to claim the leadership faster than the other candidates. As part of the claim, each candidate multicasts its priority. Each candidate that receives a multicast claim for leadership from another candidate compares its own priority against the claimant and only votes for itself if its own priority is higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Network Appliance Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay R. Basani, Krishna Mangipudi, Lynne M. Murach, Leroy R. Karge, Vitaly S. Revsin, Azer Bestavros, Mark E. Crovella, Domenic J. LaRosa
  • Publication number: 20050259689
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing enhanced utilization of an existing network of paths between nodes allocated to customer traffic where the paths also carry cross traffic. The system monitors the quality of the network bandwidth utilized by customer data flows over a set of managed paths in a time interval and allocates network resources to customers as a function of measured bandwidth and a desired target thereof by acquiring additional paths or abandoning existing paths. A scheduling function controls the use of the set of managed paths to more nearly achieve the desired quality of network bandwidth delivered to customer traffic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Azer Bestavros, Abraham Matta
  • Publication number: 20050198359
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for control and distribution of data files in large-scale distributed networks. Members of a group of servers in a multicast network elect a group leader whenever a new group leader is required, as detected by absence of a periodic message published by the leader. Election is carried out by a system of voting by each candidate whereby each candidate has a priority calculated from its configuration, and the server with the highest priority is configured to claim the leadership faster than the other candidates. As part of the claim, each candidate multicasts its priority. Each candidate that receives a multicast claim for leadership from another candidate compares its own priority against the claimant and only votes for itself if its own priority is higher. After a preconfigured period of hearing no other claimants with higher priority, the candidate with the highest priority becomes the new leader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Vijay Basani, Krishna Mangipudi, Lynne Murach, Leroy Karge, Vitaly Revsin, Azer Bestavros, Mark Crovella, Domenic LaRosa
  • Publication number: 20040215709
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and apparatus for efficient and reliable, control and distribution of data files or portions of files, applications, or other data objects in large-scale distributed networks. A unique content-management front-end provides efficient controls for triggering distribution of digitized data content to selected groups of a large number of remote computer servers. Network distribution messages are dispatched according to a sorted list of servers, based on factors such as nearness, server processor speed, reliability, and CPU Usage. For large numbers of servers, a store-and-forward approach becomes much more efficient. A first selected server receives the message from a content control manager (CCM). The first server requests instructions for the next server listed on an ordered list in the CCM and forwards a copy of that message to the next identified server. Each server reports its completion and requests further instructions from the CCM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Vijay R. Basani, Krishna Mangipudi, Lynne M. Murach, Leroy R. Karge, Vitaly S. Revsin, Azer Bestavros, Mark E. Crovella, Domenic J. LaRosa
  • Patent number: 6748447
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and apparatus for efficient and reliable, control and distribution of data files or portions of files, applications, or other data objects in large-scale distributed networks. A unique content-management front-end provides efficient controls for triggering distribution of digitized data content to selected groups of a large number of remote computer servers. Network distribution messages are dispatched according to a sorted list of servers, based on factors such as nearness, server processor speed, reliability, and CPU Usage. For large numbers of servers, a store-and-forward approach becomes much more efficient. A first selected server receives the message from a content control manager (CCM). The first server requests instructions for the next server listed on an ordered list in the CCM and forwards a copy of that message to the next identified server. Each server reports its completion and requests further instructions from the CCM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Network Appliance, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay R. Basani, Krishna Mangiapudi, Lynne M. Murach, Leroy R. Karge, Vitaly S. Revsin, Azer Bestavros, Mark E. Crovella, Domenic J. LaRosa
  • Patent number: 6718361
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and apparatus for efficient and reliable, control and distribution of data files or portions of files, applications, or other data objects in large-scale distributed networks. A unique content-management front-end provides efficient controls for triggering distribution of digitized data content to selected groups of a large number of remote computer servers. Transport-layer protocols interact with distribution controllers to automatically determine an optimized tree-like distribution sequence to group leaders selected by network devices at each remote site. Reliable store-and-forward transfer to clusters is accomplished using a unicast protocol in the ordered tree sequence. Once command messages and content arrive at all participating group leaders, local hybrid multicast protocols efficiently and reliably distribute them to the back-end nodes for interpretation and execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Network Appliance Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay R. Basani, Krishna Mangiapudi, Lynne M. Murach, Leroy R. Karge, Vitaly S. Revsin, Azer Bestavros, Mark E. Crovella, Domenic J. LaRosa
  • Patent number: 6370584
    Abstract: In a computer network with a plurality of client computers and a group of host computers, each host computer in the group is capable of both servicing requests from the client computers and rerouting requests to other host computers in the group. Distribution of servicing and routing functions in accordance with predetermined criteria promotes fault tolerance, transparency and load sharing within the group. The predetermined criteria can be either stateless or utilize states. In the case of an Internet Web server, distribution of Layer 4 routing obviates the need for a connection router to achieve load balancing. Distribution of Layer 3 routing reduces reliance on routing devices in general.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Azer Bestavros, Mark E. Crovella