Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for device switch error injection, includes: an operating system kernel including a device driver and a device switch error driver. The device switch error driver intercepts a system call to the device driver to simulate a system call error. In another embodiment of the invention, a method for device switch error injection includes: receiving a system call from an application; and intercepting, by a device switch error driver, the system call to simulate a system call error.

Abstract: The present invention relates to IL-2 mutants with increased affinity for the IL-2 alpha-receptor subunit (IL-2R?). The invention thus includes IL-2 mutants with improved biological potency. The invention also includes methods for directed evolution of IL-2? using yeast surface display to generate mutants with increased affinity for IL-2R?.

Abstract: Network topology information is determined in a network-based communication system by generating communications between, for example, selected pairs of endpoint devices each associated with a network. A given one of the communications is sent from a first one of the endpoint devices to a second one of the endpoint devices and returned from the second endpoint device to the first endpoint device. Information contained in the communication as received at the first endpoint device from the second endpoint device is processed to determine network topology information characterizing at least a portion of the network.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improved monitoring and analysis of VoIP communications, multimedia communications or other types of network traffic in a network-based communication system. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, endpoint devices of the network-based communication system are configurable so as to collectively implement a distributed monitoring and analysis system which does not require a centralized testing server or other centralized controller. Distributed test units associated with the endpoint devices may be utilized in implementing the distributed monitoring and analysis system, and are preferably configured to support a web-based user interface providing access to measurement data. The endpoint devices may be advantageously organized into a hierarchy comprising a plurality of zones, with each of the endpoint devices belonging to at least one zone.