Abstract: A system manages communications between a provider and a requestor in a distributed network. A requestor is implemented on a computing device and provides a stay online binding. The stay online binding identifies a binding that is desired by the requestor. A provider is implemented on a computing device and provides a binding. The provider receives the stay online binding from the requestor and continues providing the binding because the provider became aware of the stay online binding.

Abstract: A plurality of non-multicast nodes that do not process multicast messages register with a selective multicast proxy. In response to receiving a request for a service from a requestor via multicast, the selective multicast proxy identifies among the plurality of non-multicast nodes one or more providers of the requested service. The selective multicast proxy sends the request to the one or more providers without sending the request to other non-multicast nodes on the computer network. The selective multicast proxy, the requestor of the service, the provider(s) of the service, and the non-multicast nodes may all be located within the same local area network.

Abstract: A computing device configured to implement a method for binding negotiation is disclosed. The computing device includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. A first binding has a first binding ID. Instructions are stored in the memory to implement a method for binding negotiation. The first binding is advertised on a network. A second provider is discovered to also provide the first binding with a second binding ID on the network. The computing device then determines whether it is to provide the first binding by evaluating a collision function (F). Based on the result of the collision function, either the addition of the first binding with the second binding ID is halted, or the first binding with the first binding ID is canceled.

Abstract: An authentication program on a network authenticator establishes a secure communication channel with an embedded device. The authentication program receives security credentials from an embedded device. The authentication program receives from the embedded device via the secure communication channel either a secret for the embedded device or a request to generate the secret for the embedded device. The authentication program registers the secret for the embedded device.

Abstract: A system for managing communications with a provider is disclosed. A provider includes a provider binding. A requestor requests a requested binding. An intervening access node is in electronic communication with the provider and the requestor. The intervening access node includes program instructions stored in memory and implementing a method for managing communications with a provider. The provider binding is received from the provider. The provider binding is stored. A request signal sent from the requestor specifies the requested binding. It is determined whether the requested binding is provided by the provider. The request signal is sent to the provider only if it is determined that the requested binding is provided by the provider.

Abstract: A publisher node in a network determines how many subscriber nodes in the network have subscribed to receive notification messages about data that is maintained by the publisher node. The publisher node also determines how many available connections the publisher node is configured to support. If the number of available connections exceeds the number of subscribers, the publisher node sends the notification messages to the subscriber nodes via a connection-based protocol. If the number of subscriber nodes exceeds the number of available connections, the publisher node sends the notification messages to the subscriber nodes via multicast. If the publisher node sends the notification messages to the subscriber nodes via multicast, the publisher node may receive one or more connection requests from subscribers that may be depending on reliably receiving the notification messages from the publisher.

Abstract: A system manages communications between a provider and a requestor in a distributed network. A requestor is implemented on a computing device and provides a stay online binding. The stay online binding identifies a binding that is desired by the requestor. A provider is implemented on a computing device and provides a binding. The provider receives the stay online binding from the requestor and continues providing the binding because the provider became aware of the stay online binding.

Abstract: A system manages communications between a provider and a requestor in a distributed network. A requester is implemented on a computing device and provides a stay online binding. The stay online binding identifies a binding that is desired by the requester. A provider is implemented on a computing device and provides a binding. The provider receives the stay online binding from the requestor and continues providing the binding because the provider became aware of the stay online binding.

Abstract: An embedded program on an embedded device determines whether a security key has been assigned to the embedded device. If the security key has not been assigned, the embedded program uses a random number that is provided by a manufacturer of the embedded device and that is stored in memory of the embedded device to obtain the security key for the embedded device. The security key is stored in the memory of the embedded device. The security key is used to establish secure connections with other devices.

Abstract: A trust manager receives client account information from a client, determines whether the client account information is valid, and determines whether the client is authorized to access one or more embedded devices that are in electronic communication with a security broker. The trust manager also receives security broker account information from the security broker, determines whether the security broker account information is valid, and determines whether the security broker is authorized to provide access to the embedded device(s). If the client account information from the client is valid and the client is authorized to access the embedded device(s), and if the security broker account information from the security broker is valid and the security broker is authorized to provide access to the embedded device(s), the trust manager establishes a secure trusted connection between the client and the security broker.

Abstract: A multicast repeater is located on a host computer system on a network. One or more other multicast repeaters on other networks are discovered. These other multicast repeaters are located on networks that are separated from the network comprising the host by at least one networking device that is not configured to route UDP multicast addressing. Each time that a UDP multicast request packet is received via multicast, the multicast repeater determines whether the multicast repeater has previously forwarded the UDP multicast request packet. If the multicast repeater has previously forwarded the UDP multicast request packet, it ignores the UDP multicast request packet. However, if the multicast repeater has not previously forwarded the UDP multicast request packet, the multicast repeater sends the UDP multicast request packet via TCP/IP to the one or more other multicast repeaters that have been discovered.

Abstract: A system for optimizing network bandwidth based on subscription rates from a plurality of requestors is disclosed as including a provider that provides provider data. The system also includes a first requestor that has requested the provider data at a first subscription rate and a second requestor that has requested the provider data at a second subscription rate. The second subscription rate is higher than the first subscription rate. The system further includes a plurality of intervening access nodes. Each intervening access node includes request information specifying any provider data being sent through the intervening access node and a corresponding subscription rate. The plurality of intervening access nodes are configured to decrease the rate to an adjacent node when a requestor decreases a requestor subscription rate such that all the rates along a common transmit path from the provider to an end requestor are optimized to maximize available bandwidth.

Abstract: A requester multicasts a service command. When a service receives the service command, it performs the operation that is specified by the service command, which may generate response data. The service may then send, and the requestor may receive, a response message via unicast. The response message may include the response data. The response message may also include discovery information about the service, which is information that facilitates discovery of the service by the requestor. The requestor processes the response data and the discovery information. If further interaction with the service is desired, the requester may use the discovery information to establish a connection with the service.

Abstract: A system manages communications between a provider and a requestor in a distributed network. A requester is implemented on a computing device and provides a stay online binding. The stay online binding identifies a binding that is desired by the requester. A provider is implemented on a computing device and provides a binding. The provider receives the stay online binding from the requestor and continues providing the binding because the provider became aware of the stay online binding.

Abstract: A requester multicasts a service command. When a service receives the service command, it performs the operation that is specified by the service command, which may generate response data. The service may then send, and the requestor may receive, a response message via unicast. The response message may include the response data. The response message may also include discovery information about the service, which is information that facilitates discovery of the service by the requestor. The requestor processes the response data and the discovery information. If further interaction with the service is desired, the requester may use the discovery information to establish a connection with the service.

Abstract: A trust manager receives client account information from a client, determines whether the client account information is valid, and determines whether the client is authorized to access one or more embedded devices that are in electronic communication with a security broker. The trust manager also receives security broker account information from the security broker, determines whether the security broker account information is valid, and determines whether the security broker is authorized to provide access to the embedded device(s). If the client account information from the client is valid and the client is authorized to access the embedded device(s), and if the security broker account information from the security broker is valid and the security broker is authorized to provide access to the embedded device(s), the trust manager establishes a secure trusted connection between the client and the security broker.

Abstract: Improved electrical outlets and plugs that allow local power enabling and disabling are disclosed. One embodiment of an electrical outlet device includes a power socket capable of receiving a plug and a switch that is in electrical communication with a power supply wire. When the switch is in a first position, no power is available at the power socket. When the switch is in a second position, power is available at the power socket. The electrical outlet device also includes a sensor that is capable of detecting a signal from the plug. The plug includes a signal producing element. The sensor is in electrical communication with the switch such that when the sensor detects the signal from the plug, the sensor causes the switch to be in the second position thereby providing power at the power socket.

Abstract: A multicast repeater is located on a host computer system on a network. One or more other multicast repeaters on other networks are discovered. These other multicast repeaters are located on networks that are separated from the network comprising the host by at least one networking device that is not configured to route UDP multicast addressing. Each time that a UDP multicast request packet is received via multicast, the multicast repeater determines whether the multicast repeater has previously forwarded the UDP multicast request packet. If the multicast repeater has previously forwarded the UDP multicast request packet, it ignores the UDP multicast request packet. However, if the multicast repeater has not previously forwarded the UDP multicast request packet, the multicast repeater sends the UDP multicast request packet via TCP/IP to the one or more other multicast repeaters that have been discovered.

Abstract: A publisher node in a network determines how many subscriber nodes in the network have subscribed to receive notification messages about data that is maintained by the publisher node. The publisher node also determines how many available connections the publisher node is configured to support. If the number of available connections exceeds the number of subscribers, the publisher node sends the notification messages to the subscriber nodes via a connection-based protocol. If the number of subscriber nodes exceeds the number of available connections, the publisher node sends the notification messages to the subscriber nodes via multicast. If the publisher node sends the notification messages to the subscriber nodes via multicast, the publisher node may receive one or more connection requests from subscribers that may be depending on reliably receiving the notification messages from the publisher.

Abstract: A plurality of non-multicast nodes that do not process multicast messages register with a selective multicast proxy. In response to receiving a request for a service from a requestor via multicast, the selective multicast proxy identifies among the plurality of non-multicast nodes one or more providers of the requested service. The selective multicast proxy sends the request to the one or more providers without sending the request to other non-multicast nodes on the computer network. The selective multicast proxy, the requestor of the service, the provider(s) of the service, and the non-multicast nodes may all be located within the same local area network.