Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring a plurality of server systems. In one implementation, the method includes configuring the plurality of server systems as a first database having a group name and a group port, and configuring a subset of the plurality of server systems as a second database having a subset name and a subset port. The first database is accessible by a client application via the group name and the group port for storage of data in the first database, and the second database is accessible by a client application via the subset name and the subset group for storage of data in the second database.

Abstract: A shared memory device called the Coupling Facility (CF) is used to record the indoubt transaction entries for each member of the database cluster, avoiding the CPU cost and elapsed time impact of persisting this information to disk (either via a log write or a relational table I/O). The CF provides full read/write access and data coherency for concurrent access by all the members in the database cluster. At any given point in time, the CF will contain the full list of indoubt transactions for the entire database cluster. CF duplexing is used to guarantee the integrity of the CF structure used for the indoubt list. In the event of complete loss of both CF structures (which will not happen except in major disaster situations), data sharing group restart processing can reconstruct the CF structures from the individual member logs.

Abstract: According to the principles of the invention, there is provided a system, apparatus, and method for managing media in a multimedia conferencing system according to media roles. Each media stream may be explicitly labeled with a role that describes the function or purpose of the stream, such as “people” or “content.” The labels may be hierarchical, and may include layers for media type, additional media source description, and the like, e.g., “people/presenter” or “people/presenter/video.” A policy manager is provided for managing roles, such that the multimedia conference may be more effectively presented to participants. A token management system may also be provided so that control of the multimedia conference roles can be transferred during the conference.

Abstract: A method and system of subsetting a group of server systems configures a server system with a group name and a group port, and with at least one subset name and subset port. The server system, when activated, reads its configuration and registers with a system routing entity as being part of the group name and the group port, and as being part of the subset name and the subset port. In this manner, server systems can be targeted via its subset name and subset port, while also accessible via the common name and port for the group. If the group includes a workload balancer, the server system also registers with the workload balancer using the group name and the subset name, such that workload balancing is provided for the subset.

Abstract: A method and system for providing package resolution in a database system is disclosed. The method and system comprise providing a statement within a server which allows an application to identify a list of package collections. The method and system further includes executing the statement to obtain the appropriate package. A system and method in accordance with the present invention provides a new current package path value, which is set via a statement referred to as Set Current Package Path. The SET CURRENT PACKAGE PATH statement allows the application to supply a precedence list of qualified package collections during execution time, therefore the scheme for resolving packages can be changed at any point during execution. The SET CURRENT PACKAGE PATH statement improves application development by making the package resolution mechanism less error prone and less tedious for the application developer, while providing an optimal-performance solution in the client-server environment.

Abstract: A shared memory device called the Coupling Facility (CF) is used to record the indoubt transaction entries for each member of the database cluster, avoiding the CPU cost and elapsed time impact of persisting this information to disk (either via a log write or a relational table I/O). The CF provides full read/write access and data coherency for concurrent access by all the members in the database cluster. At any given point in time, the CF will contain the full list of indoubt transactions for the entire database cluster. CF duplexing is used to guarantee the integrity of the CF structure used for the indoubt list. In the event of complete loss of both CF structures (which will not happen except in major disaster situations), data sharing group restart processing can reconstruct the CF structures from the individual member logs.

Abstract: According to the principles of the invention, there is provided a system, apparatus, and method for managing media in a multimedia conferencing system according to media roles. Each media stream may be explicitly labeled with a role that describes the function or purpose of the stream, such as “people” or “content.” The labels may be hierarchical, and may include layers for media type, additional media source description, and the like, e.g., “people/presenter” or “people/presenter/video.” A policy manager is provided for managing roles, such that the multimedia conference may be more effectively presented to participants. A token management system may also be provided so that control of the multimedia conference roles can be transferred during the conference.

Abstract: According to the principles of the invention, there is provided a system, apparatus, and method for managing media in a multimedia conferencing system according to media roles. Each media stream may be explicitly labeled with a role that describes the function or purpose of the stream, such as “people” or “content.” The labels may be hierarchical, and may include layers for media type, additional media source description, and the like, e.g., “people/presenter” or “people/presenter/video/” A policy manager is provided for managing roles, such that the multimedia conference may be more effectively presented to participants. A token management system may also be provided so that control of the multimedia conference roles can be transferred during the conference.

Abstract: According to the principles of the invention, there is provided a system, apparatus, and method for managing media in a multimedia conferencing system according to media roles. Each media stream may be explicitly labeled with a role that describes the function or purpose of the stream, such as “people” or “content.” The labels may be hierarchical, and may include layers for media type, additional media source description, and the like, e.g., “people/presenter” or “people/presenter/video.” A policy manager is provided for managing roles, such that the multimedia conference may be more effectively presented to participants. A token management system may also be provided so that control of the multimedia conference roles can be transferred during the conference.

Abstract: A video conferencing system wherein a director controller is adapted for disposition on a lecture podium. The controller includes an interconnected control section and a video display section for controlling the distribution of generated audio and video information signals among a local and remote sites selectively in accordance with command signals fed to the controller by a podium speaker. The system is adapted to operate in one of two operating modes: a "Main-screen" mode and a "Mark-up" mode. In the "Main-screen" mode, the video display section is made up of two display areas; a "presentation" display area, and a "preview" display area. The "presentation" display area displays the video information which typically is currently being viewed by the audience/participants at the remote and local sites. The "preview" video display area is privately viewable by the podium speaker, displays video information signals from a second podium speaker selected one of the video sources.