Abstract: Communication systems and methods transfer information between a client device and a vendor device through a firewall between the client device and the vendor device by using a communications protocol that will normally allows pass through the firewall and/or by e embedding the information in a file format that will normally pass through the firewall. The information can be transmitted using the hypertext transfer protocol, and/or is embedded in an HTTP document or in an e-mail message. If the client device is on a secure side of the firewall and the vendor device needs to initiate communication with the client device, the vendor device can send an e-mail message to the client device asking the client device to initiate the communication session. Because the client device has initiated the communication, the firewall should allow the response to the client device's request to pass through from the vendor device to the client device.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods transfer information between a client device and a vendor device through a firewall between the client device and the vendor device by using a communications protocol that will normally allows pass through the firewall and/or by e embedding the information in a file format that will normally pass through the firewall. The information can be transmitted using the hypertext transfer protocol, and/or is embedded in an HTTP document or in an e-mail message. If the client device is on a secure side of the firewall and the vendor device needs to initiate communication with the client device, the vendor device can send an e-mail message to the client device asking the client device to initiate the communication session. Because the client device has initiated the communication, the firewall should allow the response to the client device's request to pass through from the vendor device to the client device.

Abstract: A scheme allowing communication between a network device on a protected network and an external network device outside the protected network using “reverse proxying.” A proxy server receives incoming data on behalf of the protected network device, which data is retrieved by a proxy agent that periodically polls the proxy server to see if any data awaits retrieval.

Abstract: A genetic algorithm-based system for selecting a solution. Means are provided for evaluating solutions according to a preselected evaluation function. A first computer generates a first population of solutions, the first population of solutions being of a first representation scheme. A second computer generates a second population of solutions, the second population of solutions being of a second representation scheme. A translator translates solutions of the second representation scheme into equivalent solutions of the first representation scheme. Means are provided for introducing solutions from the second population into the first population of solutions.