Abstract: A request from a user of a computer device to gain access to a communication network is routed to a captive web portal running on a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server where the device has a media access control (MAC) address that is not known to the DHCP server, rather than being routed to a DNS server that provides domain name resolution or network resources. The captive web portal prompts a user of the computer device to provide authentication information. If the user is authenticated, the DHCP server provides an actual internet protocol (IP) address that uniquely identifies the computer device on a network supporting TCP/IP and provides access to network resources.

Abstract: One step of a method of detecting when a certain number of events occur within a time frame causes a database having several event records to include a first event record in response to a first event occurring. Another step of the method updates the first database record in response to each event that occurs within a first period from the first event occurring. The first period being based upon the time frame. The method also determines, based upon the several event records, that the certain number of events occurred within the time frame. An apparatus which detects when a certain number of events occur within a time frame is also disclosed.

Abstract: One step of a method of evaluating an expression includes generating a database query that is representative of the expression. Another step of the method includes processing the database query to obtain database result information from a database. The method also includes the step of resolving the expression to an expression value by analyzing the database result information. A computer readable medium that configures a processor to evaluate an expression is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of detecting a change to a collection of objects is disclosed. One step of the method includes generating a first collection value that is based upon object values associated with the objects of the collection. Another step of the method includes storing the first collection value. The method also includes the step of generating a second collection value that is based upon the object values after the storing step. Moreover, the method includes the step of determining whether the collection has changed based upon the second collection value and the stored first collection value. A computer readable medium which configures a processor to detect a change to a collection of objects is also disclosed.