Abstract: In a computer system having a memory, a processor, and a network interface, a method for listening on multiple conferencing interfaces having the steps of loading a set of transport components into the memory; initializing each transport components of the set of transport components to listen on a particular conferencing interface using the network interface, each transport component of the set of transport components listening to a different conferencing interface; receiving an incoming call signal on the network interface having an incoming conferencing interface; processing the incoming call signal to detect the incoming conferencing interface; and launching an application based on the incoming conferencing interface.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to efficient compression processing in system architectures including a control plane and a data plane. Particular implementations feature integration of compression operations and mode selection with a beltway mechanism that takes advantage of atomic locking mechanisms supported by certain classes of hardware processors to handle the tasks that require atomic access to data structures while also reducing the overhead associated with these atomic locking mechanisms.

Abstract: A data and control plane architecture for network devices. An example system architecture includes a network processing unit implementing one or more data plane operations, and a network device operably coupled to the network processing unit that implements a control plane. In a particular implementation, the network processing unit is configured to process network traffic according to a data plane configuration, and sample selected packets to the network device. The network device processes the sampled packets and adjusts the data plane configuration responsive to the sampled packets. In particular implementations, the control plane and data plane implement a server-side triggered policy caching mechanism that allows for previous classification policy decisions made for previous data flows to be applied to subsequent new flows.

Abstract: Partition configuration and creation mechanisms for network traffic management devices. In some implementations, the present invention enhances the predictability of partition hierarchies that use weighting values and fixed rate guarantees. In some implementations, the present invention includes a configuration interface that constrains the manner in which partitions can be configured to achieve predictable and efficient results. In some implementations, the present invention includes a partition creation and deletion layer that operates to dynamically create partitions based on one or more partition patterns.

Abstract: Storage space on one or more hard disks of a network caching appliance is divided into a plurality S of stripes. Each stripe is a physically contiguous section of the disk(s), and is made up of a plurality of sectors. Content, whether in the form of objects or otherwise (e.g., byte-cache stream information), is written to the stripes one at a time, and when the entire storage space has been written the stripes are recycled as a whole, one at a time. In the event of a cache hit, if the subject content is stored on an oldest D ones of the stripes, the subject content is rewritten to a currently written stripe, where 1?D?(S?1).

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to a network traffic synchronization mechanism facilitating the deployment of network devices in redundant network topologies. In certain embodiments, when a first network device directly receives network traffic, it copies the network traffic and transmits it to at least one partner network device. The partner network device processes the copied network traffic, just as if it had received it directly, but, in one embodiment, discards the traffic before forwarding it on to its destination. In one embodiment, the partner network devices are operative to exchange directly received network traffic. As a result, the present invention provides enhanced reliability and seamless failover. Each unit, for example, is ready at any time to take over for the other unit should a failure occur.

Abstract: Partition configuration and creation mechanisms for network traffic management devices. In some implementations, the present invention enhances the predictability of partition hierarchies that use weighting values and fixed rate guarantees. In some implementations, the present invention includes a configuration interface that constrains the manner in which partitions can be configured to achieve predictable and efficient results. In some implementations, the present invention includes a partition creation and deletion layer that operates to dynamically create partitions based on one or more partition patterns.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses allowing for dynamic partitioning of a network resource among a plurality of users. In one embodiment, the invention involves recognizing new users of a network resource; creating user partitions on demand for new users, wherein the user partition is operable to allocate a portion of a network resource; and, reclaiming inactive user partitions for subsequent new users.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems that dynamically adjust the selection of differentiated network services for selected classes of traffic or network applications in response to changing network conditions or application performance levels.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to enhanced packet load shedding mechanisms implemented in various network devices. In one implementation, the present invention enables a selective load shedding mechanism that intelligently discards packets to allow or facilitate management access during DoS attacks or other high traffic events. In one implementation, the present invention is directed to a selective load shedding mechanism that, while shedding load necessary to allow a network device to operate appropriately, does not attempt to control traffic flows, which allows for other processes to process, classify, diagnose and/or monitor network traffic during high traffic volume periods. In another implementation, the present invention provides a packet load shedding mechanism that reduces the consumption of system resources during periods of high network traffic volume.

Abstract: An example embodiment of the invention provides a process for lockless processing of hierarchical bandwidth partitions configurations in multiple processor architectures. In one embodiment, the process runs in an NPU's data plane and receives a packet for a partition from a child partition through a work queue. The process determines a suggested target bandwidth rate for the receiving partition's child partitions, based in part on a count of active child partitions, if a predefined time interval has passed. The process adopts a target bandwidth rate for the receiving partition suggested by the receiving partition's parent partition, if the receiving partition is not a root partition and the predefined time interval has passed. The process then transmits the packet to the receiving partition's parent partition through the work queue, if the receiving partition is not a root partition. Otherwise, the process transmits the packet to a port.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to a network traffic synchronization mechanism facilitating the deployment of network devices in redundant network topologies. In certain embodiments, when a first network device directly receives network traffic, it copies the network traffic and transmits it to at least one partner network device. The partner network device processes the copied network traffic, just as if it had received it directly, but, in one embodiment, discards the traffic before forwarding it on to its destination. In one embodiment, the partner network devices are operative to exchange directly received network traffic. As a result, the present invention provides enhanced reliability and seamless failover. Each unit, for example, is ready at any time to take over for the other unit should a failure occur.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems facilitating remote deployment of network devices. Implementations of the present invention enable deployment workflows that reduce the costs associated with installing and configuring network devices on computer networks. Other implementations of the present invention enable an automated, remote deployment and configuration system for network devices.

Abstract: Synchronization of network traffic compression mechanisms deployed in redundant network topologies. In one implementation, the present invention features the synchronization of compression statistics on redundant network devices to facilitate failover and load sharing operations in the management of data flows traversing computer network environments. In one implementation, compression meta data is appended to synchronization packets and transmitted to one or more partner or redundant network devices. The receiving network devices use the compression meta data to synchronize one or more data flow control processes or data structures. Implementations of the present invention also feature process flows that increase the efficiency of synchronizing compression related operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using an application layer demarcation point are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises monitoring end-to-end performance of a network application at an application demarcation point in a network, and mediating between provider infrastructure and customer infrastructure based on results of monitoring.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically identifying internal hosts in a heterogeneous computing environment with multiple subnetworks is disclosed. A plurality of packets are analyzed. Each such packet includes a source address of an originating host and a destination address of a receiving host. An unknown originating host located at the source address of an outbound packet is classified as an inside host with high confidence. An unknown receiving host located at the destination address of an inbound packet is classified as an inside host. The unknown receiving host is reclassified as an inside host with high confidence upon receiving a further outbound packet having a source address corresponding to the address of the unknown receiving host.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to efficient compression processing in system architectures including a control plane and a data plane. Particular implementations feature integration of compression operations and mode selection with a beltway mechanism that takes advantage of atomic locking mechanisms supported by certain classes of hardware processors to handle the tasks that require atomic access to data structures while also reducing the overhead associated with these atomic locking mechanisms.

Abstract: Classification of network traffic based on conditions orthogonal to explicit attributes of packets in network traffic. In one implementation, classification of network traffic based on the behavior of one or more nodes associated with the network traffic. In one implementation, a mechanism is provided that allows for the creation of matching rule predicates that match to certain node behaviors of interest and cause the application of appropriate policies to the network traffic. In one implementation, the node behavior matching functionality can be combined to seamlessly operate in connection with other Layer 7 traffic classification mechanisms that operate on explicitly-presented attributes of the packets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using an application layer demarcation point are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises monitoring end-to-end performance of a network application at an application demarcation point in a network, and mediating between provider infrastructure and customer infrastructure based on results of monitoring.

Abstract: A system and method for providing file sharing using an instant messaging application are described herein. In one embodiment, a communication channel is established via an instant messaging application between a local device and a remote device over a network. In a file sharing window on the local device a representation of a file stored in the remote device is displayed. The file sharing window is associated with the instant messaging application and the file sharing window enables the local device to access the file stored in the remote device via the communication channel of the instant messaging application.

Abstract: As many as three of the four heads spaced at 90.degree. intervals around the periphery of a head wheel may be in contact with the magnetic tape of a video recorder and reproducer at the same time. Oblique tracks are recorded on the tape record video date in blocks corresponding to sectors, each composed of the same numbers of lines, each track beginning with a video sector and ending with another video sector with small audio blocks inbetween. Four different sector designations succeed each other in turn. The video data of each block is preceded by an identification signal of which the two most significant bits designate the sector. The sector designations are separated from the outputs of each of the magnetic heads and control a PROM, the output of which controls a crosspoint switch to direct data blocks in accordance with the sector identification to four memories and the audio blocks to an audio memory.