Abstract: Methods and systems for processing information that is secured in transit between communicating computers utilizing a security protocol. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, processing with respect to the security protocol is performed by an intermediate network device located remotely from a secure data center, while maintaining the security of persistent credentials such as passwords and private cryptographic keys. The invention may be employed in conjunction with beneficial networking functions such as acceleration, traffic management and monitoring, content filtering, and the like, allowing such functions to be performed on secured traffic. The invention allows the remotely located network device to perform security protocol processing on behalf of a computer without having direct access to the persistent credentials of that computer, thereby improving overall system security.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing intercepted requests and responses related to document retrieval between client and server computers. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, document metadata from server responses are inspected and stored in a database by an acceleration device in the network path between client and server computers. The device inspects freshness verification requests sent from client to server computers and, based on information stored in its database, sends “not modified” responses back to the client computers without involving the server computers, thereby reducing network and server loads and improving response time. In further embodiments the device may maintain its database by sending document information requests to server computers and processing their subsequent responses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the amount of corrupted data in a system for transmitting encoded data across a network, which system requires sychronization between encoding and decoding nodes, the method and apparatus involving (a) providing an indication of the reliability of the channel between the encoding and decoding nodes; (b) performing automatic resets at the nodes at intervals I; and (c) utilizing the indication of channel reliability to control the interval I. The interval I may be determined, for example, by the error rate on the channel for one or more preceding time interval S, and may be determined at either the encoding or decoding node.

Abstract: A single queue or descriptor ring references several context control blocks, each of which corresponds to a different data path in a communications system. An entry in the descriptor ring references an appropriate context control block and a source packet representing a packet locations prior to processing. The descriptor ring may include a destination packet representing the packet locations after processing. The descriptor ring is particularly suitable for communications between a main processor and a coprocessor.