Abstract: A system and method for secure and verified sharing of resources in a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate efficient use of bandwidth are disclosed. The method for securely sharing resources over a peer-to-peer network generally comprises broadcasting a request by a requesting peer for a resource over the peer-to-peer network where the resource is identified with a resource version identifier, receiving a response from a responding peer on the peer-to-peer network indicating that the responding peer has the requested resource, retrieving the requested resource from the responding peer, and verifying the retrieved resource by ensuring the retrieved resource contains the version identifier embedded therein. Preferably, the verifying also includes verifying a digital signature, such as a 1024-bit VeriSign digital certificate, of the retrieved resource to ensure integrity of the retrieved resource.

Abstract: A system and method for distributed function discovery with third party responses in a peer-to-peer network to facilitate efficient use of bandwidth and resources are disclosed. The method for secure automatic selection of a designated service provider in a peer-to-peer network generally comprises broadcasting a digitally signed election initiating packet containing a value for at least one criteria by a sending node, awaiting response time-out period expiry or receipt of a response election packet, broadcasting a digitally signed election result packet indicating the sending node is the designated service provider if response time-out period expiry occurs prior to receipt of a response election packet, and awaiting for, verifying, and storing election result in an election result broadcast if receipt of a response election packet occurs prior to expiry of response time-out period.

Abstract: Software can be automatically distributed in stages. An administrator can specify a stage indicating software to be distributed to nodes in a network. The nodes can be organized into groups. Administration functions can be performed via an application service provider scenario. For example, a browser-based user interface can be used to configure nodes and indicate an appropriate software stage for the nodes. Agent software at a node can query a data center to discover what software is appropriate. Software of the proper stage can be provided and installed. The software can be provided via an application service provider scenario, and automatic installation can be achieved even if the nodes are behind a firewall. A versionless arrangement can be implemented.

Abstract: A system and method for securely confirming performance of a task by a peer in a peer-to-peer network environment using signed receipts are disclosed. The method generally comprises broadcasting a request over the network by a requesting peer for a task with respect to a remote non-local backend server, receiving a response containing a local alias URL pointing to a destination on a responding server node, forwarding the task to the local alias URL for performance by the responding server node, and verifying a digital signature of any receipt packet received from the responding server node to ensure that the receipt packet is from the remote non-local backend server. The method may also include placing the server node in a black list of the requesting peer if the verifying is unsuccessful.

Abstract: A system and method for distributed function discovery with third party responses in a peer-to-peer network to facilitate efficient use of bandwidth and resources are disclosed. The method for secure automatic selection of a designated service provider in a peer-to-peer network generally comprises broadcasting a digitally signed election initiating packet containing a value for at least one criteria by a sending node, awaiting response time-out period expiry or receipt of a response election packet, broadcasting a digitally signed election result packet indicating the sending node is the designated service provider if response time-out period expiry occurs prior to receipt of a response election packet, and awaiting for, verifying, and storing election result in an election result broadcast if receipt of a response election packet occurs prior to expiry of response time-out period.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying that a peer is a trusted peer using signed receipts in a peer-to-peer network environment are disclosed. The method generally comprises broadcasting a request over the network by a requesting peer for a task with respect to a remote non-local backend server, receiving a response to the request from the service-providing server, verifying a digital certificate of the response issued by the remote non-local backend server indicating that the responding service-providing server is trusted for the requested task, and forwarding the task to a local alias URL of the responding peer for performance of the task by the responding server if the verifying is successful. The digital certificate may be a 1024-bit VeriSign digital certificate. The verifying ensures that the local alias URL is approved by the non-local backend server for the requested task.

Abstract: A system and method for distributed function discovery with third party responses in a peer-to-peer network to facilitate efficient use of bandwidth and resources are disclosed. The method for facilitating distributed function discovery in a peer-to-peer network generally comprises receiving a broadcast request for a service function from a peer client at a peer server, locating information regarding a location remote to the peer server having the requested service function using a stored list of service functions locally stored at the peer server, and responding to the peer client with a response containing the location remote to the peer server if information on the requested service function is located.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying that a peer is a trusted peer using signed receipts in a peer-to-peer network environment are disclosed. The method generally comprises broadcasting a request over the network by a requesting peer for a task with respect to a remote non-local backend server, receiving a response to the request from the service-providing server, verifying a digital certificate of the response issued by the remote non-local backend server indicating that the responding service-providing server is trusted for the requested task, and forwarding the task to a local alias URL of the responding peer for performance of the task by the responding server if the verifying is successful. The digital certificate may be a 1024-bit VeriSign digital certificate. The verifying ensures that the local alias URL is approved by the non-local backend server for the requested task.

Abstract: A system and method for secure and verified sharing of resources in a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate efficient use of bandwidth are disclosed. The method for securely sharing resources over a peer-to-peer network generally comprises broadcasting a request by a requesting peer for a resource over the peer-to-peer network where the resource is identified with a resource version identifier, receiving a response from a responding peer on the peer-to-peer network indicating that the responding peer has the requested resource, retrieving the requested resource from the responding peer, and verifying the retrieved resource by ensuring the retrieved resource contains the version identifier embedded therein. Preferably, the verifying also includes verifying a digital signature, such as a 1024-bit VeriSign digital certificate, of the retrieved resource to ensure integrity of the retrieved resource.

Abstract: A system and method using inheritance for the configuration, management, and/or monitoring of computer applications and devices via a computer network are disclosed. The method generally comprises determining a hierarchical tree structure based upon locations of devices in a network topology, each device being a node in the hierarchical tree structure, determining policies for each node in the hierarchical tree structure to be enforced by an agent corresponding to each node, the agent being in communication with the device and the resources corresponding to the device, and communicating the policy to the corresponding agent, wherein the policies corresponding to the resources of each device are selectively inherited along the hierarchical tree structure of the network directory.