Abstract: A method is provided, comprising actively testing the access control policy of a software target using a probing logic. The method further comprises determining whether an intrusion in the software target has occurred based on monitored side effects. According to the method, the probing logic is to execute at least one operation that is forbidden by the access control policy. The probing logic is further to create at least one predetermined observable side effect based on the successful execution of the operation.

Abstract: A virtual network has network interfaces coupled by tunnels (100) through a forwarding network (40), each interface having a forwarding address in an address space of the forwarding network, each network interface having a reconfigurable address mapper (320) for determining a forwarding address for a packet, and encapsulating the packet with its forwarding address so that the forwarding network can forward the data packet transparent to its destination address. The network interface automatically configures the address mapper by sending a discovery request for a given virtual network address over the forwarding network, to prompt a response with an indication of the corresponding forwarding address, and to use the indication in such a response to configure the address mapper. This can ease the administrative burden of setting up and maintaining the address mapper and to ease network reconfiguration according to demand or faults for example.

Abstract: A virtual network has virtual machines on physical devices connected to network interfaces each coupled by tunnels (100) through a forwarding network (40), each interface having a forwarding address in an address space of the forwarding network, each network interface having a reconfigurable address mapper (320) for determining a forwarding address for a packet, and encapsulating the packet with its forwarding address so that the forwarding network can deliver the data packet to the remote physical device having that forwarding address. Such encapsulation enables virtual machines on different physical devices to communicate transparently to the underlying forwarding network. Virtual networks can be created to suit their applications yet use or share existing forwarding networks, while protecting the forwarding network from interference by the virtual machines, and maintaining isolation between virtual machines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for tracking the state of a software component in use on a computing platform. Upon a change of a first type in the software component (such as a change to an integrity-critical part of the component), an appropriate integrity metric of the software component is reliably measured and recorded in cumulative combination with any previous integrity metric values recorded for changes of the first type to the software component. Upon a change of a second type in the software component (such as a change to a non integrity-critical part of the component), an appropriate integrity metric of the software component is reliably measured and recorded as a replacement for any previous integrity metric value recorded for changes of the second type to the software component. The two resultant values provide an indication of the integrity state of the software component.

Abstract: A data center can share processing resources using virtual networks. A virtual machine manager (10) hosts one or more virtual machines (11, 411), the virtual machines forming part of a segmented virtual network (34). Outgoing messages from the virtual machines have an intermediate destination address of an intermediate node in a local segment of the segmented virtual network, and the virtual machine manager has a router (18) for determining a new intermediate destination address outside the local segment, for routing the given outgoing message. By having the router as part of the virtual machine manager rather than having only a switch in the virtual machine manager, the need for virtual machines for implementing gateways is avoided. This can reduce the number of “hops” for the message between virtual entities hosted, and thus improve performance. This can help a service provider to share physical processing resources of a data center between different clients having their own virtual networks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for tracking the state of a software component in use on a computing platform. Upon a change of a first type in the software component (such as a change to an integrity-critical part of the component), an appropriate integrity metric of the software component is reliably measured and recorded in cumulative combination with any previous integrity metric values recorded for changes of the first type to the software component. Upon a change of a second type in the software component (such as a change to a non integrity-critical part of the component), an appropriate integrity metric of the software component is reliably measured and recorded as a replacement for any previous integrity metric value recorded for changes of the second type to the software component. The two resultant values provide an indication of the integrity state of the software component.

Abstract: A virtual network has network interfaces coupled by tunnels (100) through a forwarding network (40), each interface having a forwarding address in an address space of the forwarding network, each network interface having a reconfigurable address mapper (320) for determining a forwarding address for a packet, and encapsulating the packet with its forwarding address so that the forwarding network can forward the data packet transparent to its destination address. The network interface automatically configures the address mapper by sending a discovery request for a given virtual network address over the forwarding network, to prompt a response with an indication of the corresponding forwarding address, and to use the indication in such a response to configure the address mapper. This can ease the administrative burden of setting up and maintaining the address mapper and to ease network reconfiguration according to demand or faults for example.

Abstract: A lifting sling for use with an invalid hoist, includes a flexible body support, and suspension elements for suspending the sling from an invalid hoist. The flexible body support has at least one inflatable chamber, for cushioning at least a part of an invalid when supported by the body support.