Abstract: Lookup requests received by a domain name service (DNS) are processed based on the actual location of data associated with a requested content page rather than a domain mapping of IP addresses. A DNS server which receives a request initiates a query for the location of user data associated with the request based on an object handle contained in a domain name of the request. The location data is used to construct an IP address which is provided in response to the IP lookup request received by the DNS server. The DNS system may be used to provide IP addresses for a scaled web-based networking service, alternate versions of a service and a service implementing rolling upgrades.

Abstract: Techniques exist for imaging clients over a network, such as the preboot execution environment (PXE) protocol. However, such techniques may not scale well (e.g., using broadcast messages and having few facilities for distributing the imaging service over several servers) and limited capacity to choose a particular image for a particular client. Instead, a set of servers may be configured such that each server is assigned a set of clients, and when a client sends an imaging query, only the server to which the client is assigned sends a reply. For example, a PXE server also comprising a DHCP server may reply to queries only for clients having a DHCP reservation on the server. The servers may also be configured to refer to a network map (e.g., a manageability data store) in order to identify the role of the client and the appropriate image to direct the client to apply.

Abstract: Techniques exist for imaging clients over a network, such as the preboot execution environment (PXE) protocol. However, such techniques may not scale well (e.g., using broadcast messages and having few facilities for distributing the imaging service over several servers) and limited capacity to choose a particular image for a particular client. Instead, a set of servers may be configured such that each server is assigned a set of clients, and when a client sends an imaging query, only the server to which the client is assigned sends a reply. For example, a PXE server also comprising a DHCP server may reply to queries only for clients having a DHCP reservation on the server. The servers may also be configured to refer to a network map (e.g., a manageability data store) in order to identify the role of the client and the appropriate image to direct the client to apply.

Abstract: Method and systems for generating notifications in a notifications system. A parameter-driven template received from a content provider contains one or more parameters related to a subscription for notifications. The notifications system enables an application based on the received template and executes it to map a recurring event to one or more subscribers as a function of the parameters specified by the content provider. In response to the recurring event, the notification system generates a notification. Other aspects of the invention relate to a computer-readable medium that defines the application for use in a notifications system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing notifications. A web service embodying aspects of the invention is responsive to requests structured according to an extensible messaging framework and extracts request information, including at least a content provider identifier and a topic identifier, from the request to execute a selected notification management function.

Abstract: Lookup requests received by a domain name service (DNS) are processed based on the actual location of data associated with a requested content page rather than a domain mapping of IP addresses. A DNS server which receives a request initiates a query for the location of user data associated with the request based on an object handle contained in a domain name of the request. The location data is used to construct an IP address which is provided in response to the IP lookup request received by the DNS server. The DNS system may be used to provide IP addresses for a scaled web-based networking service, alternate versions of a service and a service implementing rolling upgrades.

Abstract: Method and systems for generating notifications in a notifications system. A parameter-driven template received from a content provider contains one or more parameters related to a subscription for notifications. The notifications system enables an application based on the received template and executes it to map a recurring event to one or more subscribers as a function of the parameters specified by the content provider. In response to the recurring event, the notification system generates a notification. Other aspects of the invention relate to a computer-readable medium that defines the application for use in a notifications system.