Abstract: Described is a technology by which a server automatically configures itself for adding to an existing network. Upon connection to the network, the server obtains settings including existing subnet and gateway IP addresses from a DHCP assigned IP configuration (e.g., a router). The server uses the settings to automatically configure itself to dynamically provide addresses similar to the previous scope to clients. In one implementation, the server software sets its network card set to a static IP address state while the server is configured, and thereafter sets the network card to a dynamic state. The router is disabled during server configuration, and re-enabled thereafter, whereby the server DHCP service instead of the router DHCP service assigns the addresses. The server may also attempt to automatically connect to the Internet.

Abstract: A computerized method for identifying, ranking, and auditing configurable providers is described. The method receives and stores information about plural providers including provider name, provider icon, provider contact information, landing URL, configurables offered, geographical locations, and descriptions of configurables. The method receives a request from a computer that includes a geographic location. The method searches the stored information about providers in order to identify a list of provider servers that auto-configure configurables in the geographic location. The method sends information and the list of provider servers to the computer, and the sent information includes provider names, provider rank, provider landing URL, and descriptions of configurables. The method receives auditing information from the computer including a provider server selected from the list, a transaction for a selected configurable, and an indication that the selected configurable is operational.

Abstract: A computer performs a method of communicating with a referral server to identify configurables available to the computer based on the computer's location and at least one other factor. The computer receives a list of provider servers selected by the referral server for referring to the computer because the provider servers on the list auto-configure configurables in the computer's location and according to the at least one other factor. The method communicates with a provider server selected from the list to purchase a selected configurable and to auto-configure the computer's computing environment to operate the selected configurable. The method communicates with the referral server to provide a metric about the provider server's performance during purchase and auto-configure.

Abstract: A computer communicates with a referral server according to a web service definition to select and audit performance of an internet service. The computer sends and receives messages requesting internet services available in a geographic region and the message includes an identifier where the computer is located. Other received messages indicating available services including, top-level-domains, currency, and languages available in the geographic region. For example, for domain name services, messages include top-level domains, and for other services, messages include currency, languages, etc. Messages include a list of providers available in the geographic region, and for each provider in the list, a provider name, a description of provider services, or a provider URL.

Abstract: Multiple integrated computer servers can be installed. User interfaces can be presented and installation answers received. Servers and software can be installed according to installation answers. An installation answer provided on one server can be used to install other servers. Installation of computer servers can be an automated and distributed process. Decisions can be made to install applications on servers. Configuration settings can be received and used to install applications. A configuration setting can be received on one server and used to install applications on other servers. Computer servers can be installed by asking installation questions and receiving installation answers. Installation decisions can then be made regarding configuring a server. A knowledge base can be consulted and additional installation decisions can be made.

Abstract: Automated redundant configuration of a computer service can be accomplished in a variety of ways. An installation answer can be received and used to automatically determine configuration settings for a computer service to operate redundantly across multiple computer servers. The configuration settings can then be used to configure the multiple computer servers. A user can be asked an installation question, and based on the answer different configuration settings can be determined for configuring a first and second server of a plurality of computer servers. The first and second server can be configured with the corresponding configuration settings. In addition, an installation knowledge base can be consulted, based on an installation answer, when automatically determining configuration settings.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies that facilitate hosting of a domain name and access of users to the Internet, by using a well defined protocol to interact with a plurality of Dynamic Domain Name Service (DDNS) providers, via employing; a purchasing component and a status verifying component. Once a user has selected a domain name, the purchasing component can automatically query the provider(s) for terms of the service plan to host such domain name associated with dynamic IP addresses. The status verifying component can verify the IP address of the end user machine and supply it to the DDNS, to manage in-bound traffic to the user's domain name.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies that facilitate obtaining a digital certificate from a Certificate Authority, by using a well defined protocol exchanged between a user machine and the Certificate Authority. The well defined protocol employs; a purchasing component and an update component. Once a user has obtained a domain name, the purchasing component can be used to query the Certificate Authority for terms of the service plans to issue the digital certificate and to programmatically create and transmit a certificate signing request. The purchase component will also allow the signed certificate to be configured on the requesting cluster of machines. The update component can provide a revised and/or updated list of contact information to the Certificate Authority in addition to revoking an existing certificate.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies that facilitate purchase and/or transfer of a domain name and access of users to the internet, by using a well defined protocol to interact with a plurality of domain name registrars, via employing; a purchasing component, and a mapping component. Once a user has identified a domain name, the purchasing component can automatically query the provider(s) for terms of the service plan to obtain such domain name. The mapping component can then point to a DNS provider designated to host such domain name, to manage in-bound traffic. The subject invention can also be implemented in web services based hosted solutions directory, for example by designation of a trusted on-line registry that registers a plurality of service providers to supply services to clients, with a secure communication between the clients and the trusted on-line registry for selection of a service provider.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies that facilitate hosting of a domain name and access of users to the internet, by using a well defined protocol to interact with a plurality of Domain Name Service (DNS) providers, via employing; a purchasing component, and a configuration component. Once a user has selected a domain name, the purchasing component can automatically query the provider(s) for terms of the service plan to host such domain name. The configuration component can configure various records to a user's designated machines or IP addresses, to manage in-bound traffic to the user's domain name.

Abstract: Systems and methods for archiving real-time data are provided. Real-time data transport files can be transferred from a data store to an output data store for play back on digital devices, such as digital VCR and digital display devices. A synchronizer component facilitates the generation of real-time timestamps from a plurality of reference timestamps for recording the real-time data transport files onto the output data store via a digital recording device.

Abstract: A providing computer system may receive a request, via a stateless protocol, to access a resource. An access control application may refer to administrative rules to set validation information associated with the request. Validation information may be in the form of electronic text that is stored in a location such as a cookie or state-table. Validation information may indicate the state of a session associated with a resource, such as whether a session is in a logged-in or logged-out state. When a request is received, validation information and authentication information may be utilized together to determine if access to a resource should be granted. When access to a resource is granted or denied, validation information may be updated to indicate that the state of the session has changed.