Abstract: A client device has access to multiple data communications networks when sending a message to a server. An included network management functionality evaluates on an individual message by message basis a number of factors and selects one of the networks over which the message is to be communicated to the server. The selection process involves having the network management functionality identify a particular selection rule containing a network clause relating to each potentially useable communications network. The particular selection data comprising each network clause are then evaluated in the context of the message transmission to select for the message the particular one of the networks to be used for the communication.

Abstract: Disclosed is a federated architecture and system which are extensible and flexible for integrated access to heterogeneous DataBase Management Systems (DBMS) dispersed over a long haul network, allowing transparent access to a wide variety of DBMS while maintaining the local autonomy of the underlying DBMS. In addition the system can run on top of different hardware, operating systems, network communications, and DBMS. The system can include new target DBMS with minimum changes and is not limited to integrate relational DBMS, but also to integrate legacy DBMS such as hierarchial or network DBMS, spatial information or text retrieval systems.