Abstract: A system and method for the management of networked devices via an email client. According to one embodiment, the present invention generally comprises three fundamental elements for managing a network: 1) an email client running on each of a plurality of network devices and at least one central email server hosting network device management accounts; 2) an email client plug-in for the purpose of using an email client as the management console for the network devices; and 3) an encrypted data encapsulation format used when information is transported between devices.

Abstract: A system and method to improve data access over a network. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a device for caching data from a server, such as e-mail messages, is provided at a location close to an end user. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a centrally stored address list is provided that may be accessed by a client to determine the best or nearest server for data access.

Abstract: Techniques for managing multiple threads in an asynchronous environment, such as a browser, are described. As a method, instantiating an event thread in response to a user event by a shell event handler block that provides shell functions for a user event. Once the event thread as been instantiated, managing the event thread by a generic thread manager block that provides a plurality of multithread management functions for the shell event handler. When required, blocking and unblocking the event thread by a blocking system that is arranged to block and unblock threads.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing a first relation amongst a set of orthogonal sub-relations are disclosed. As a method, an orthogonal sub-relation of the set of orthogonal sub-relations is identified and then removed from the first relation. The removed sub-relation is then replaced with an associated reference that points to the removed sub-relation to form a distributed relation. A reduced first relation that is substantially reduced in size as compared to the first relation, such that the distributed relation is formed of the reduced first relation and all the referenced orthogonal sub-relations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for deploying a generic application engine in a browser program executing on a client platform are described. As a method, an application engine kernel is formed in the browser program that is independent of the client platform and the browser program concurrently with loading user interface (UI) components and corresponding data components associated with the application engine. A minimum required subset of application engine components are then loaded by the kernel in order to process any initial user requests.