Abstract: A method and arrangement is disclosed for extending a resource search across a gateway node connecting a peer-to-peer network with a subarea network. An interface node is divided into a first section associated with the peer network and a second section associated with the subarea network. In response to a resource search request arriving at one of the sections from the network with which the section is associated, a directory of resources known by the respective section is first searched. If the resource is not found in the directory of the section, the search request is translated into a format compatible with the other network, and the translated search request is transmitted to the other section of the interface node. If the resource is not found among the resources known to the interface node, the resources known by the end nodes served by the interface node in the peer network are next searched.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in a known LOCATE process used to locate resources in a computer network. The known LOCATE process always requires that information about a target resource be verified by forwarding a LOCATE request to the node owning the target resource. The present invention improves upon this process by use of selective verification. If predetermined conditions are met, a node in the network may reply to a received LOCATE request by using information about the target resource found in its cache directory. The LOCATE request need not be propagated to the node owning the target resource except for predetermined types of sessions or where past attempts to use selective verification have not been successful.

Abstract: A method for establishing and maintaining virtual chains in a distributed computer network during session initiation. In transmitting a session initiation request from an originating network node to a destination network node, a locate chain is established along the path taken with control block resources dedicated to the chain at each intermediate node. By sending a reply with the discard indicator set, the resources at the intermediate nodes become immediately available and only the network node servers maintain knowledge of the pending session initiation and the route selected.