Abstract: The present invention uses biometrics for the quantitative determination of software ease of use by collecting biometric data from a software user, identifying changes in the biometric data as the user uses the software, determining if the changes are indicative of software ease of use issues, and generating a signal as output if the changes are determined to be indicative of software ease of use issues. The sensors may be integrated into a computer mouse or other peripheral device with which the user comes in regular contact during use.

Abstract: An adaptive data replication and caching system configured to enforce service terms at the network edge. Service terms can include, but are not limited to established quality of service (QoS) terms, as well as the terms of a service level agreement (SLA). This system can include a data caching system configured to cache application data in a data store and to satisfy queries for application data from the cache. The system also can include a data replication system configured to replicate application data in the data store and to satisfy queries for application data against the replicated application data. Finally, the adaptive data replication and caching system can include a configurator for configuring portions of the data store for exclusive use by the data caching system and the data replication system based upon the service terms.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring client access to a network includes at a first port, accessing a first server on a first local area network associated with the first port. An authorized local area network other than the first local area network is determined to which an authorized connection can be properly made based on information in a client request. The first port is assigned to the authorized local area network. Communications are handled with a new client configuration in the authorized local area network.

Abstract: An adaptive data replication and caching system configured for deployment at the network edge. This system can include a data caching system configured to cache application data in a data store and to satisfy queries for application data from the cache. The system also can include a data replication system configured to replicate application data in the data store and to satisfy queries for application data against the replicated application data. Finally, the adaptive data replication and caching system can include a configurator for configuring portions of the data store for exclusive use by the data caching system and the data replication system.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of virtual machine migration with filtered network connectivity includes enforcing network security and routing at a hypervisor layer which is independent of guest operating systems via dynamic updating of routing controls initiated by a migration of said virtual machine from a first device to a second device.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring liveliness includes a management device which has an application layer where applications are executed. A connection monitor is located other than on the application layer, and the connection monitor is configured to receive requests from clients and deliver the requests to components on the application layer. The components include a generic application monitor which responds to liveliness monitor requests from the clients for all applications monitored, and one or more applications which response to requests to that application.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of virtual machine migration with filtered network connectivity includes enforcing network security and routing at a hypervisor layer which is independent of guest operating systems via dynamic updating of routing controls initiated by a migration of said virtual machine from a first device to a second device.

Abstract: A method (and system) which provides virtual machine migration with filtered network connectivity and control of network security of a virtual machine by enforcing network security and routing at a hypervisor layer at which the virtual machine partition is executed, and which is independent of guest operating systems.

Abstract: A system and method to self-configure a distributed system includes obtaining a description of a distributed system which has a plurality of computing nodes, each node being capable of performing any of a plurality of tasks in the description. At each node, a persona of that node is determined in accordance with the description such that the nodes are assigned tasks in the distributed system. Each node is reconfigured in accordance with the persona such that the nodes are linked in the distributed system to provide a self-configured distributed system for performing at least one application.

Abstract: A system and method for customizing a device includes identifying a user of a device and determining a profile for the user of the device from a network. The profile includes a record of at least one user preference for a type of the device. The profile is translated to a configuration of the device. The device is modified according to the configuration to permit use of the device with the at least one user preference.

Abstract: A method (and system) for managing and controlling allocation and de-allocation of resources based on a guaranteed amount of resource and additional resources based on a best effort for a plurality of customers, includes dynamically allocating server resources for a plurality of customers, such that the resources received by a customer are dynamically controlled and the customer receives a guaranteed minimum amount of resources as specified under a service level agreement (SLA). The best effort is defined in the SLA as a range of service to be provided to the customer if server resources are currently available.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for automatically testing for incorrect or incomplete implementation of documented behavior of a device. By way of example, an automated method for checking that one or more devices comply with one or more documented behaviors comprises a computer system performing the following steps. A set of compliance rules is defined for a behavior of at least one of the one or more devices. A set of monitored data is retrieved from the at least one device. The set of monitored data is compared with the set of compliance rules. A result of the comparison is reported.

Abstract: A system and method to self-configure a distributed system includes obtaining a description of a distributed system which has a plurality of computing nodes, each node being capable of performing any of a plurality of tasks in the description. At each node, a persona of that node is determined in accordance with the description such that the nodes are assigned tasks in the distributed system. Each node is reconfigured in accordance with the persona such that the nodes are linked in the distributed system to provide a self-configured distributed system for performing at least one application.

Abstract: A system and method for customizing a device includes identifying a user of a device and determining a profile for the user of the device from a network. The profile includes a record of at least one user preference for a type of the device. The profile is translated to a configuration of the device. The device is modified according to the configuration to permit use of the device with the at least one user preference.

Abstract: There are provided a hardware accelerator and method for providing hardware acceleration for an application server and/or a layer 7 switch. The hardware accelerator includes a content access memory (CAM) configured to accelerate string comparison operations in the application server and/or layer 7 switch. The string comparison operations involve strings having varying key string positions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for disseminating urgent public announcements over an IP-based network. One or a plurality of Internet- or Intranet-connected servers receive and store data identifying particular geographic locations to current announcements. The servers identify IP addresses of users making URL requests or requests for target applications (an access point by which a network-connectable mobile device is connected to an Internet- or Intranet-connected server), determine a location for each user from the user's IP address (or access point), and determine whether an IP address (or access point) of a user corresponds to a location for which an announcement has been posted. If the user is identified to a location for which a current announcement is available, the announcement is displayed to the user. The announcement may be displayed by redirecting the user to a web page containing the announcement.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for processing messages in a messaging system, particularly during an overload condition. For example, a method of processing messages of an instant messaging system includes the following steps. A message from a first instant messaging user is received during an overload condition. A message type associated with the received message is determined. The method then decides whether to send the message to a second instant messaging user based on the determined message type of the received message. In another method, processing messages in an instant messaging system includes the following steps. Presence information associated with a first instant messaging system user is received. The presence information is sent to a second instant messaging system user when the second messaging system user requests the presence information associated with the first instant messaging system user.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring liveliness includes a management device which has an application layer where applications are executed. A connection monitor is located other than on the application layer, and the connection monitor is configured to receive requests from clients and deliver the requests to components on the application layer. The components include a generic application monitor which responds to liveliness monitor requests from the clients for all applications monitored, and one or more applications which response to requests to that application.

Abstract: The present invention provides round-the-clock, in-home emergency notification service by employing wide-area wireless broadband servers to send alerts on an as-needed basis to notification terminals comprised of no-frills, battery-operated, in-home units which may be manufactured and packaged in a manner similar to smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Abstract: A method (and system) for managing and controlling allocation and de-allocation of resources based on a guaranteed amount of resource and additional resources based on a best effort for a plurality of customers, includes dynamically allocating server resources for a plurality of customers, such that the resources received by a customer are dynamically controlled and the customer receives a guaranteed minimum amount of resources as specified under a service level agreement (SLA). The best effort is defined in the SLA as a range of service to be provided to the customer if server resources are currently available.