Abstract: A network computer maintains a directory of objects having multi-valued attributes. The attributes are comprised of individual linked values having conflict-resolution data that indicates a change to an object at an attribute-value level. A second network computer stores a replica of the directory in which a replica of the objects is maintained. The computers replicate the objects in the directories and update the individual linked values of the attributes. Replication conflicts are identified and resolved with the conflict-resolution data at the attribute-value level of the objects.

Abstract: A network system server, at a first network site, maintains network access information that identifies users authorized to access a network and a network controller, at a second network site, caches the network access information for individual users that request access to the network from the second network site. The network controller tracks the individual users that request access to the network from the second network site and updates the cached network access information for the individual users that request access to the network from the second network site within a defined time interval.