Abstract: A database system operating over a communication network. A plurality of client applications coupled to the network generate database access requests. An intermediary server coupled to the network receives the requests. A data storage mechanism coupled to the network has an interface for communicating with the intermediary servers. The intermediary server is responsive to a received database access request to establishing a channel with the data storage mechanism to obtain data from the data storage mechanism in response to a received client request. The intermediary server is further operable to format the obtained data in a manner suitable for use by one of the client applications that requested the associated database access.

Abstract: A method for managing on-network data storage using a communication network. Requests for data are received within an intermediary server from a plurality of external client applications coupled to the network. Units of data are stored in one or more data storage devices accessible to the intermediary server. Each storage request is associated with a token representing the request. The token is sent to a storage management server coupled to the network and having an interface for communicating with the intermediary server. The storage management server returns specific location information corresponding to the request associated with the received token. The intermediary server accesses the data storage mechanism using the specific location information to retrieve data at the specific location. The retrieved data is delivered to the client application that generated the request.

Abstract: A system for serving web pages to a client in response to a client request specifying a resource. An originating web server having a first address upon which the requested resource resides is coupled to obtain content from content source. The originating web server has a request interface for receiving requests from a network and a response interface for sending responses to the requests. A communication network is coupled to the originating web server. A front-end server is provided having a second address and at least one interface for communicating with a client application and the originating web server. The front-end server is coupled to both obtain the request-specified resources and augment the request specified resources using unspecified resources to generate a response to the client request from the originating web server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for prioritizing data traffic over a shared bandwidth connection. In one embodiment, traffic is prioritized implicitly by governing the rate at which data is launched into the shared bandwidth connection. In another embodiment, mechanisms that couple the Internet to the shared bandwidth connection are explicitly regulated through a control interface. Priority information is coupled through the Internet to front-end computers. The front-end computers couple to the shared bandwidth connection and implement the implicit and/or explicit regulation.

Abstract: A method for serving web-based content over a communication network. Requests for web content are generated using a plurality of client applications coupled to the network. An intermediary server is coupled to the network to receive the requests for web content from client applications. A data server is coupled to the network and having an interface for communicating with the intermediary server. The intermediary server accesses the data server in response to receiving a request from a client application. Using the intermediary server, a web page is generated using the database content obtained from the data server. The web page is delivered to the client application that generated the request for database content.

Abstract: A system for providing network functionality from a plurality of network-connected servers to at least one network-connected client computer. A management component is coupled to each of the servers. A shifting component coupled to or within the management component operates to shift data and program components between the networkconnected servers so as to configure a selected server to implement a specified set of functionality. A redirection component responsive to a client request for the specified set of functionality redirects the requesting client to the selected server(s).

Abstract: A system and method for implementing functionality within a network on behalf of first and second computers communicating with each other through the network. A front-end computer is provided within the network having an interface for communicating data traffic with the first computer. A back-end computer is also implemented within the network having an interface for communicating data traffic with the second computer. A communication channel couples the front-end computer and the back-end computer. Data traffic is encoded over the communication channel in a first process in the front-end computer. Data traffic is also encoded over the communication channel in a second process in the back-end computer, wherein the first process and the second process implement compatible semantics.

Abstract: A system and method for providing network resources from an origin server to a client. A set of intermediary servers is topologically dispersed throughout a network. An enhanced communication channel is provided between the set of intermediary servers and the origin server. A redirector receives address resolution requests for the origin server, selects one of the intermediary servers in response to the request, and provides a network address of the selected intermediary servers to an entity generating the address resolution request.

Abstract: A system for handling denial of service attacks on behalf of a shared network resource. A request processing component deployed within a network, the request processing component having an interface configured to receive requests on behalf of the shared network resource. A rate control component coupled to the request processing component, the rate control component comprising program and data structures operable to selectively forward received requests to the shared network resource at a rate selected to prevent the shared network resource from crashing or becoming undesirably busy. Preferably, the system includes a denial of service attack detection component coupled to the request processing component and the rate control component and operable to monitor request metrics from the request processing component and provide configuration information to the rate control component.

Abstract: A method for delivering network resources involving establishing data traffic between a two or more network-connected computers. Data contained within the traffic is reformatted at least once in an intermediary computer between the first and second computers.

Abstract: An interactive multi-player computer hosted game employs an unstructured telecommunications link, such as the Internet, between a game server and a plurality of game clients. A game server, associated with a game driver, performs a performance monitoring function to determine an optimal bandwidth for each connection to a game client. Each information packet generated by the game driver is prioritized and queued for transmission in order of relevance for the game client. The game server then optimizes the transmission of information packets through the telecommunication network to the game client. Processed user input is received through the telecommunication network from the game client and transmitted to the game driver.