Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for discovering and consuming related data. Users can find data related/relevant to an accessed dataset without leaving the context of their application. A service analyzes and understands (classifies) the dataset as well as user profile information and environmental information (e.g., operating system in use, task being performed, etc.). The service displays recommendations for related/relevant data and/or related/relevant data services within the application (e.g., within a spreadsheet, database, file system, etc.). In response to user selection of a recommendation, related/relevant data (either directly or from a data service) is transferred into the application. Accordingly, relevant/related data can be transferred into an application without a user having to leave the application to search for the data.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying network endpoints that provide a service of interest orders endpoints according to their network proximity to a requesting client. The requesting client may then contact the closest available providing endpoint, thus increasing the efficiency of usage of network resources while decreasing latency and enhancing reliability. In an embodiment of the invention, when a connection to the nearest providing endpoint cannot be established, a mechanism for locating a next-closest alternative endpoint is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying network endpoints that provide a service of interest orders endpoints according to their network proximity to a requesting client. The requesting client may then contact the closest available providing endpoint, thus increasing the efficiency of usage of network resources while decreasing latency and enhancing reliability. In an embodiment of the invention, when a connection to the nearest providing endpoint cannot be established, a mechanism for locating a next-closest alternative endpoint is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying network endpoints that provide a service of interest orders endpoints according to their network proximity to a requesting client. The requesting client may then contact the closest available providing endpoint, thus increasing the efficiency of usage of network resources while decreasing latency and enhancing reliability. In an embodiment of the invention, when a connection to the nearest providing endpoint cannot be established, a mechanism for locating a next-closest alternative endpoint is provided.

Abstract: Maintaining DNS records. A computing network system includes a local Domain Name Service (DNS) server connected to one or more local clients or resources at a local branch office in an enterprise network. The local DNS server advertises to the local clients or resources at the local branch office that the DNS server is authoritative. The DNS server receives record information for the local clients or resources. An attempt is made to forward the record information to an enterprise hub DNS server. The record information is stored persistently in a cache. Storing the record information persistently in cache may be performed selectively or non-selectively. When performed selectively, the record information is stored or not stored depending on some result or other action. For example, the result may be stored or not stored depending on the results of attempting to forward to an enterprise hub DNS server.

Abstract: Maintaining DNS records. A computing network system includes a local Domain Name Service (DNS) server connected to one or more local clients or resources at a local branch office in an enterprise network. The local DNS server advertises to the local clients or resources at the local branch office that the DNS server is authoritative. The DNS server receives record information for the local clients or resources. An attempt is made to forward the record information to an enterprise hub DNS server. The record information is stored persistently in a cache. Storing the record information persistently in cache may be performed selectively or non-selectively. When performed selectively, the record information is stored or not stored depending on some result or other action. For example, the result may be stored or not stored depending on the results of attempting to forward to an enterprise hub DNS server.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying network endpoints that provide a service of interest orders endpoints according to their network proximity to a requesting client. The requesting client may then contact the closest available providing endpoint, thus increasing the efficiency of usage of network resources while decreasing latency and enhancing reliability. In an embodiment of the invention, when a connection to the nearest providing endpoint cannot be established, a mechanism for locating a next-closest alternative endpoint is provided.

Abstract: A method and system for aging and scavenging resource records in a DNS database is provided. DNS resource records that are stored in a DNS database are assigned the timestamps indicating the last time the records were updated. Clients (owners of the resource records) periodically refresh timestamps of the DNS resource records that they registered using standard dynamic DNS update protocol. The DNS server then periodically searches its database for the stale records and deletes them. DNS database zone parameters and DNS server parameters are configured to define when a timestamp for a resource record may be updated, when a resource record may be scavenged (deleted) and which server may perform scavenging of a zone. A non-refresh interval follows the timestamp, a refresh interval follows the non-refresh interval and a scavengable period follows the refresh interval. During the non-refresh interval, an authorized DNS server may neither refresh nor scavenge the associated resource record.