Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in a known LOCATE process used to locate resources in a computer network. The known LOCATE process always requires that information about a target resource be verified by forwarding a LOCATE request to the node owning the target resource. The present invention improves upon this process by use of selective verification. If predetermined conditions are met, a node in the network may reply to a received LOCATE request by using information about the target resource found in its cache directory. The LOCATE request need not be propagated to the node owning the target resource except for predetermined types of sessions or where past attempts to use selective verification have not been successful.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication system which includes a number of host systems each communicating via sessions with other devices over different connections and in which the sessions assigned to a failed connection are suspended for a first and second time period and non-destructively moved to an alternate connection when a unique command is issued by one of the host systems and received by a control unit involved in the failed connection.

Abstract: The invention enables two nodes in a communications network to dynamically establish the transmission group number used to partially identify a given link between the nodes. When the link is being activated, both nodes simultaneously propose either a zero or a non-zero number to each other in an exchange of exchange identification (XID) messages. If only one of the nodes proposed a non-zero number, that non-zero number is selected as the transmission group number. If both nodes had proposed zero or both had proposed non-zero numbers, predetermined criteria are employed to select a controlling node. The controlling node chooses the final transmission group number and communicates that choice to the non-controlling node.

Abstract: A technique called "Adaptive Pacing" permits a receiving node, in a computing networking, to change the size of an information window during an active session. To effect the change, the receiving node sends an "Isolated Pacing Message" (IPM) to the sending node. Thereafter, the sending node adjusts the window size to conform with a window size value in the IPM. The IPM includes a type field, a reset window indicator and a next window size field. There are three types of isolated pacing messages. Two of the messages are used by the receiving node to control the flow of data; while the third message is used, by the sending node, to confirm the beginning of a new window and the ending of an old one.