Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for detecting faults in a distributed computing network system. The system hosts and executes an application with a plurality of datasets, and includes a plurality of peer computing devices and management services. A receiving peer computing device receives a message that includes a first copy of a dataset from a sending peer computing device. It is determined whether a mismatch exists among the first copy of the dataset, a second copy of the dataset stored at the receiving peer computing device, and a third copy of the dataset stored at a third peer computing device having authority over the dataset. If so, a correction to the second copy of the dataset is performed or a fault message is sent to management services indicating that a fault has been detected at the receiving peer computing device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for fault tolerant distributed computing. At least three fault tolerant messages are generated. The generating involves obtaining a first initial message identifier; mapping the initial message identifier to at least three different fault tolerant identifiers; and using the at least three different fault tolerant identifiers to identify the at least three fault tolerant messages. The at least three fault tolerant messages are then transmitted along at least one communication channel. The at least one communication channel may be a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus and the initial message identifier may be a CAN identifier.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for detecting faults in a distributed computing network system. The method includes receiving, from a management services, authority information identifying peer computing devices of a distributed computing network system. For each respective peer computing device, a first message comprising a first instance of a dataset and a second message comprising a second instance of the dataset are received. Where the first peer computing device and the second peer computing device have authority over the data set, it is determined whether the first instance of the dataset matches the second instance of the dataset. Where the first instance of the dataset does not match the second instance of the dataset, a fault message is sent to the management services indicating that a fault has been detected at the first peer computing device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for detecting faults in a distributed computing network system. The method includes receiving, from a management services, authority information identifying peer computing devices of a distributed computing network system. For each respective peer computing device, a first message comprising a first instance of a dataset and a second message comprising a second instance of the dataset are received. Where the first peer computing device and the second peer computing device have authority over the data set, it is determined whether the first instance of the dataset matches the second instance of the dataset. Where the first instance of the dataset does not match the second instance of the dataset, a fault message is sent to the management services indicating that a fault has been detected at the first peer computing device.

Abstract: An example connector system embodiment may be used to quickly align and interconnect two framing members, planar panels or other building components, e.g. during erection of prefabricated or component housing. The connector system includes a male connector and a female connector. The connectors can be attached to, or may be integrally formed with, respective building components to be interconnected. The male connector comprises a tapered protrusion having a cross-sectional extent that decreases monotonically, in at least one dimension, in the direction of protrusion, so as to impart a taper to the tapered protrusion in the at least one dimension. A corresponding female connector comprises a receptacle for receiving the tapered protrusion. The taper may facilitate centering of the male connector with respect to the female connector during mating of the connectors. Depending on the orientation of the connectors, the facilitation of centering may be enhanced by gravity.

Abstract: A network device such as a terminal set in a distributed peer-to-peer communications network receives periodic notifications from other network devices indicating which network devices are currently receiving pages. When the network device wishes to send a page to a set of target network devices, it ascertains whether the target devices are already receiving a page. If not, the network device notifies other network devices that it is claiming the target devices for its exclusive paging use. Each device receiving the notification ascertains whether it is one of the target devices, and if so, prepares to receive a page. Absent any objections, the initiating device sends the page (e.g. audio or video) to the target devices. Upon completion, the network device relinquishes its claim to the target devices. If a target network device becomes engaged in a call while receiving a page, playing of the page may be ceased.

Abstract: In call forwarding of a call there is an original calling network device, an original recipient of an incoming call, and a forwardee of the call. Systems, network devices, and methods are provided for delivering local call forwarding functionality. Each network device is capable of functioning in the capacity of any one or more of the above three roles, namely, originator, original recipient, and forwardee by providing local call forwarding functionality. In some implementations there is no central processing equipment used to provide local call forwarding functionality for forwarding calls. Furthermore, a network device may provide a call forwarding destination on behalf of another network device when the other network device cannot be reached.

Abstract: Systems and methods for announcing and locating services that are shared in a distributed manner within a peer-to-peer packet-based network are provided. One or more network devices maintain a copy of a particular service and the service is shared by any network device in the network that requires the service. Network devices maintain lists of what services are available on the network as well as where the services are located. When a particular service is desired, the network device consults the lists and is able to request acquisition of the service from any network device known to host the service, either locally or on a remote network device. Service location functionality is also capable of allocating resources and/or services in the network based on statistical information gathered and maintained regarding service use in the network.

Abstract: In a call transfer of a call there is an original calling network device, an original recipient of the call, and a transferee of the call. Systems, network devices, and methods are provided for delivering local call transfer functionality. Each network device is capable of functioning in the capacity of any one or more of the above three roles, namely, originator, original recipient, and transferee by providing local call transfer functionality. There is no requirement for central processing equipment used to provide local call transfer functionality for transferring calls.

Abstract: A network device has a voice mail module adapted to provide voice mail functionality for calls of a first type directed to the network device. The calls of the first type are originally intended for the network device. The voice mail module also provides voice mail functionality for calls of a second type directed to the network device. The calls of the second type are originally intended for one or more other network devices in respect of which the network device has been designated as a backup. In a system having such network devices, voice mail functionality may be provided locally at the network devices. The network devices may be implemented as telephones. In the event that a network device is no longer available on the network, another network device designated as a backup network device takes voice mail messages for the network device that is unavailable. This significantly improves overall system reliability and availability.

Abstract: A plurality of local networks each have one or more terminal sets and a message re-director. The message re-directors are adapted to communicate with each other across another network through edge devices. The message re-directors are also adapted to convert multicast messages received locally from the terminal sets into unicast messages for transmission across the other network. The unicast messages are received by the other message re-directors. Each one of the other message re-directors then multicasts information received as part of the multicast messages received to the terminal sets within its local network.

Abstract: In a call park and call park pickup system, a plurality of network devices have local call park functionality. For call park of a call between two network devices initiated at one of the network devices and call park pickup of the call at a third network device, the local call park functionality is used to provide messaging between the three network devices for parking and picking up the call without the need of central processing equipment for providing call park and call park pickup functionality.

Abstract: A network device has a voice mail module adapted to provide voice mail functionality for calls of a first type directed to the network device. The calls of the first type are originally intended for the network device. The voice mail module also provides voice mail functionality for calls of a second type directed to the network device. The calls of the second type are originally intended for one or more other network devices in respect of which the network device has been designated as a backup. In a system having such network devices, voice mail functionality may be provided locally at the network devices. The network devices may be implemented as telephones. In the event that a network device is no longer available on the network, another network device designated as a backup network device takes voice mail messages for the network device that is unavailable. This significantly improves overall system reliability and availability.

Abstract: Upon initial connection of a peer to a peer-to-peer network, the peer notifies other peers of its connection to the network. The peer receives existence notifications from other peers and may use them to create a list of the peers on the network, which may be sorted by the unique identifiers of each peer. A prospective network address is selected, e.g. based on the ordinal position of the peer within the sorted list. Conflict checking resolves conflicts between the prospective network address and the network address of other peers. Each peer may periodically notify the other peers of its network address, e.g. to prevent new peers from claiming the address. When a peer becomes inactive, another peer detecting this may begin periodically notifying the remaining peers that the address of the disconnected peer is already claimed. Peers may be Voice-over-IP telephone sets and network addresses may be directory numbers.

Abstract: To synchronize time between network devices equally capable of accurately maintaining an indication of current time, one of the network devices is deemed to be a reference for time and the other network devices synchronize their indications of current time to the reference. To synchronize copies of data at multiple network devices, each network device maintains a counter representative of the passage of time but not necessarily of current time. The counter at each device is periodically synchronized with the counters of other network devices. When data is changed at a network device, the value of the counter at the time of changing is stored in association with the changed data. Stored counter values are used to determine whether a local copy or a remote copy of the data is likely more recent and therefore preferable. A further test may be applied if a counter value comparison is inconclusive.

Abstract: A network device selects at least one other network device as its backup and communicates information for use by the backup network device(s) in assuming the role of the network device upon its unavailability. The network device also receives information from at least one network device that has selected it as its backup device for use in assuming the role of the selecting device(s) upon unavailability of the selecting device(s). Each network device may act as a backup for the same number of devices as it has backups. Selection of backup devices may be based on device reliability. In one embodiment, each network device has a primary and secondary backup. The primary backup assumes the role of the network device when the latter becomes unavailable, and the secondary backup assumes the role of the network device when both the network device and its primary backup are unavailable.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a Survivable Branch Office are provided by embodiments of the invention. The Survivable Branch Office includes a plurality of interconnected packet-based network devices, wherein the Branch Office is adapted to operate in a first mode during which centralized telephony call processing services are supplied to the Branch Office by a Main Office via a connection between the Branch Office and the Main Office. The Branch Office is also adapted to operate in a second mode when the connection between the Branch Office and the Main Office is interrupted. In the second mode the plurality of interconnected packet-based network devices collectively provide telephony call processing services in a distributed manner for the Branch Office.

Abstract: A Bridge Call Appearance (BCA) Group including a plurality of peer-to-peer packet-based devices and methods for operating the BCA Group are provided by embodiments of the present invention. In the BCA Group at least one peer-to-peer packet-based device is designated as a primary device and remaining peer-to-peer packet-based devices are designated as secondary devices. An example of such a system is an office environment including a boss's terminal set designated as a primary device and the boss's assistant's terminal sets designated as secondary devices. The secondary devices provide support for the primary device when the primary device is unavailable. The primary network device acts as an intermediary for protocol signaling involving a secondary network device and an other device with which the secondary network device is communicating.

Abstract: Systems and methods for announcing and locating services that are shared in a distributed manner within a peer-to-peer packet-based network are provided by embodiments of the invention. As opposed to every network device of the network requiring a copy of every desired service, one or more network devices maintain a copy of a particular service and the service is shared by any network device in the network that requires the service. Available services at a particular network device are registered with that network device and then service availability is announced to all other network devices on the network. Network devices maintain lists of what services are available on the network as well as where the services are located. When a particular service is desired, the network device consults the lists and is able to request acquisition of the service from any network device known to host the service, either locally or on a remote network device.

Abstract: A method involves, at a network device, receiving information; storing the information; and sending the information to at least one other network. The information is adapted for use by the network device and the at least one other network device in providing local facilitating related functionality. In some implementations the method is applied at each of a plurality of network devices in a system resulting in the information being distributed to the network devices. In some implementations, distribution of the information allows the network devices to provide the call facilitating functionality locally without the use of central processing equipment. In some implementations access to the information being distributed and/or other information is restricted to avoid conflicts.