Abstract: A computing system hosts a plurality of websites, a plurality of external data sources, and a search service. External resources in each of the external data sources are partitioned among a plurality of external partitions. The search service automatically generates an index comprising index entries. The index entries are partitioned among a plurality of index partitions, each associated with one or more of the websites. For each given index partition, the index entries in the given index partition map terms to resources in the given set of resources that contain the terms. The given set of resources includes web pages in a given set of websites associated with the given index partition and external resources in external partitions used by the given set of websites. The search service uses the index entries in given index partition to identify resources in the given set of resources containing query terms.

Abstract: A training set for a post-filter classifier is created from the output of a face detector. The face detector can be a Viola Jones face detector. Face detectors produce false positives and true positives. The regions in the training set are labeled so that false positives are labeled negative and true positives are labeled positive. The labeled training set is used to train a post-filter classifier. The post-filter classifier can be an SVM (Support Vector Machine). The trained face detection classifier is placed at the end of a face detection pipeline comprising a face detector, one or more feature extractors and the trained post-filter classifier. The post-filter reduces the number of false positives in the face detector output while keeping the number of true positives almost unchanged using features different from the Haar features used by the face detector.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided to automatically managing system downtime in a computer network. In one embodiment, an event is created in an application server to schedule a system downtime period for a web server. When the scheduled downtime occurs, the web server is automatically removed from the network and a downtime notification message is automatically communicated indicating that the web server is offline. In another embodiment, events may be created to schedule downtime for web-based applications, including websites. Prior to the scheduled downtime, requests to a web-based application may be automatically stopped and redirected to a specified location. In another embodiment, the operation of web servers is automatically monitored to detect the presence of a fault condition and, if a fault condition is present, then a determination may be made that the affected web servers are down and requests to the down web servers are automatically redirected to an alternate server.

Abstract: A machine manager controls the deployment and management of machines (physical and virtual) for an online service. Multi-tier server groups are arranged in farms that each may include different configurations. For example, their may be content farms, federated services farms and SQL farms that are arranged to perform operations for the online service. When the multiple farms are upgraded, new farms are deployed and the associated content databases from the old farms are moved to the newly deployed farms. During the upgrade of the farms, requests may continue to be processed by the farms. The farms may be automatically load balanced during an upgrade. As content becomes available on the new farm, requests for the content may be automatically redirected to the new farm.

Abstract: A cloud manager assists in deploying and managing networks for an online service. The cloud manager system receives requests to perform operations relating to configuring, updating and performing tasks in networks that are used in providing the online service. The management of the assets may comprise deploying machines, updating machines, removing machines, performing configuration changes on servers, Virtual Machines (VMs), as well as performing other tasks relating to the management. The cloud manager is configured to receive requests through an idempotent and asynchronous application programming interface (API) that can not rely on a reliable network.

Abstract: An online service includes managed databases that include one or more tenants (e.g. customers, users). A multi-tenant database may be split between two or more databases while the database being split continues processing requests. For example, web servers continue to request operations on the database while content is being moved. After moving the content, tenant traffic is automatically redirected to the database that contains the tenant's content.

Abstract: A cloud manager controls the deployment and management of machines for an online service. A build system creates deployment-ready virtual hard disks (VHDs) that are installed on machines that are spread across one or more networks in farms that each may include different configurations. The build system is configured to build VHDs of differing configurations that depend on a role of the virtual machine (VM) for which the VHD will be used. The build system uses the VHDs to create virtual machines (VMs) in both test and production environments for the online service. The cloud manager system automatically provisions machines with the created virtual hard disks (VHDs). Identical VHDs can be installed directly on the machines that have already been tested.

Abstract: A machine manager controls the deployment and management of machines for an online service. The machine manager is configured to manually/automatically deploy farms, upgrade farms, add machines, remove machines, start machines, stop machines, and the like. The machine manager keeps track of the locations of the machines, the roles of the machines within the networks, as well as other characteristics relating to the machines (e.g. health of the machines). Instead of upgrading software on the machines in a farm that are currently handling requests, one or more machines are configured in a new farm with the selected disk images and then the requests are moved from the old farm to the new farm.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques that enable a subscriber of a data center to manage a site collection group hosted by the data center. A site collection group is a set of site collections that belong to a single subscriber. A site collection is a collection of websites. A website is a collection of related resources. Each of the site collections is associated with an “owner”. As described herein, the data center presents management interfaces that enable owners of site collections to manage the site collections. In addition, the data center presents management interfaces that enable subscribers to manage architectural aspects of their site collection groups.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques that enable a subscriber of a data center to manage a site collection group hosted by the data center. A site collection group is a set of site collections that belong to a single subscriber. A site collection is a collection of websites. A website is a collection of related resources. Each of the site collections is associated with an “owner”. As described herein, the data center presents management interfaces that enable owners of site collections to manage the site collections. In addition, the data center presents management interfaces that enable subscribers to manage architectural aspects of their site collection groups.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided to manage external hardware appliances from a distributed operating system interface in a computer network using a driver model to communicate with device drivers associated with the external hardware appliances. In one embodiment, a request to manage an external hardware appliance in the computer network may be received in a distributed web-based operating system interface. A driver model may be selected which is configured to interface with a device driver for managing configuration settings for the external hardware appliance. The driver model may be utilized to manage the external hardware appliance configuration settings from the interface. The settings may include managing domain name changes, firewall settings, proxy settings, and the like. In another embodiment, the driver model may be utilized to manage external hardware appliance settings during a network configuration operation initiated from the distributed operating system interface.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to automatically associate type-specific information with a document of a prescribed type. The type information includes instance-specific type information that can be instantiated to each document of the prescribed type. The type information also includes generic type information that is automatically applied to all documents of the prescribed type. Such generic type information includes policies that govern, for example, the life span of the documents or who can access the documents. Instance-specific type information can be demoted to and promoted from a document of the prescribed type. Generic type information can only be demoted to a document of the prescribed type. Type information may be demoted into a document only when the document is requested.

Abstract: A computing system hosts a plurality of websites, a plurality of external data sources, and a search service. External resources in each of the external data sources are partitioned among a plurality of external partitions. The search service automatically generates an index comprising index entries. The index entries are partitioned among a plurality of index partitions, each associated with one or more of the websites. For each given index partition, the index entries in the given index partition map terms to resources in the given set of resources that contain the terms. The given set of resources includes web pages in a given set of websites associated with the given index partition and external resources in external partitions used by the given set of websites. The search service uses the index entries in given index partition to identify resources in the given set of resources containing query terms.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium are provided for generating usage rights for an item based upon rights to access the item. According to the method, a request is received at a document management system for an item stored in a library. In response to the request, access rights to the item for the requester are determined and usage rights are generated based upon the access rights. An encrypted file is then created that contains the item and the usage rights for the item. The location of the item in the library may also be included in the protected file. When an attempt is made to store the item back in the library, a comparison is made between the location where the item was previously retrieved from (as specified within the item) and the requested location in the library for saving the item. The item is only saved in the library if the two locations match.

Abstract: A software tool automatically places files and folders of a software program within segments of a DVD. The segments are defined by security placeholders, and the disposition of the placeholders is initially randomly determined, consistent with predefined rules. The placeholders are included on the disc to hinder unauthorized copying. A developer generally defines the order in which the files and folders are to be laid out, and the software tool automatically places the files and folders, filling successive segments and shifting the placeholders to accommodate files that will not fit in a current segment. However, any movement of the placeholders must be done by the tool and is only permitted if the new disposition of the placeholder is in accord with the predefined rules. A user can manually modify the automated layout, and in response, the files and folders are automatically shifted to accommodate the changes introduced by the user.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium are provided for formula-based document retention. According to the method, a retention formula and a retention action are defined for one or more items. The retention formula is utilized to calculate a retention date for each item. The retention action specifies the action that should be taken on or after the retention date. The retention date for one or more items is initially calculated using the retention formula for the items. A retention service may be periodically executed to identify any items having a retention date earlier than the current date. If any items are identified that have a retention date earlier than the current date, the retention service recalculates the retention date for these items utilizing the corresponding retention formula. If the recalculated retention date for any item is still prior to the current date, the retention action for the item is executed.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided to automatically target shared resources in a computer network which are pertinent to a query for information from a client and/or a server through the use of a shared resources portal. In one embodiment, a query is received in the shared resources portal from a requestor. The portal may then identify a target resource server to which to route the query by filtering the information provided by a number of shared resource servers in the network against information regarding an organizational role performed by the requester. The identified target resource server may be one which provides information pertinent to the organizational role performed by the requester. The query is then processed in the identified target resource server.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium are provided for jointly managing digital assets and non-digital assets. According to the method, a database is maintained that includes one or more digital assets and records corresponding to one or more non-digital assets. A request may be received to perform an action on an asset identified in the database. In response to the request, a determination is made as to whether the request is to perform an action on a digital or non-digital asset. If the request is to perform an action on a digital asset, a first workflow is performed for completing the action on the digital asset. If the request is to perform an action on a non-digital asset, a second workflow is performed for completing the requested action on the non-digital asset.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium are provided for storing files in an official file repository. According to the method, a generic interface is exposed that includes a first method for requesting that a file be stored in a file vault. A record series is maintained that identifies one or more document types that may be stored in the file vault along with a location for each file type within the file vault where files of the type should be stored. A call may be made to the first method including the file to be stored in the file vault. In response to the call, a location for storing the file in the file vault may be identified based on the contents of the record series. Once the location has been identified, the file is stored in the identified location if the file type is in the record series. If the file type is not in the record series or the necessary property values are not received with the call, the file is placed in a holding zone portion of the file vault.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques that enable a subscriber of a data center to manage a site collection group hosted by the data center. A site collection group is a set of site collections that belong to a single subscriber. A site collection is a collection of websites. A website is a collection of related resources. Each of the site collections is associated with an “owner”. As described herein, the data center presents management interfaces that enable owners of site collections to manage the site collections. In addition, the data center presents management interfaces that enable subscribers to manage architectural aspects of their site collection groups.