Abstract: A computer system comprising a plurality of computers. each computer comprising at least one processor, respectively, such that the computer system comprises a plurality of processors, and an orchestration system comprising an orchestrator. The orchestration system is configured to: forecast a traffic load of the plurality of processors to obtain a forecast traffic load: determine, in dependence on the forecast traffic load, a clock frequency for each of the plurality of processors so as to decrease a power consumption of the computer system; and using the orchestrator, instruct adjustment of the clock frequency for each respective processor of the plurality of processors to the clock frequency determined for the respective processor. This patent application further relates to a telecommunications network comprising a computer system, and an orchestration system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for enabling digital content from a content provider (12, 5 14) to be provided via a communication network (10) from intermediate digital content stores (16) to user-devices (18). According to one aspect, the method comprises the content provider (12, 14) providing digital content encrypted using a cryptographic encryption key to an intermediate digital content store (16), the cryptographic encryption key being a public key of a key-pair and having an associated private key. In response to a request from a user-device (18) to the content provider (12, 14) for the digital content, a cryptographic session key is shared between the content provider (12, 14) and the requesting user-device (18). The content provider (12, 14) provides to the intermediate digital content store (16) the cryptographic re-encryption key and indications of the requested digital content and of the user-device (18).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for policing data being sent from a plurality of sending devices (11, 12, 12a, 21, 22) to one or more receiving devices (12, 12b, 19, 29) via a network device (15, 25) in a communication network (10, 20), where at least one sending device (11, 12a, 22) is configured to perform a sender-side policing function in respect of data to be sent via the network and to apply a verification mark to verify that it has done so, and at least one sending device (12, 21) is not so configured. According to one aspect, the network device (15, 25) receives data from one of the plurality of sending devices (11, 12, 12a, 21, 22), inspects the data to determine whether a verification mark has been applied thereto, and if not, performs an in-network policing function. If so, the network device does not perform the in-network policing function, instead performing no policing function or an alternative policing function in respect of the data in question.

Abstract: A connection (5) to a first network (3, 13) is connected by way of a first routing processor (4) to a switching processor (14), which has a connection (35) to a network address translation processor (17) providing access to one or more hosted functions (22). Connections (6, 25) separate from the network address translation processor (17) are made to one or more hosted functions (9, 16, 23), incompatible with the NAT process, and also to a second network (2). This allows connections not requiring NAT to avoid the delays incurred by that process. Data packets are routed to the network address translation processor (17) or the first routing processor (4) in accordance with header information in the packet identifying a transmission control processor (17) and the second interface (35).

Abstract: A small-form programmable pluggable device 80 is used to establish communication between a configurable “bare-metal” server 50 having no existing configuration software installed, and a provisioning server 60 capable of downloading software to the configurable server 50 to allow the configurable server 50 to be configured to perform a specific function. The pluggable device carries sufficient programming to access the required software 63 and deliver it to the configurable server 50. This allows the configurable server to be delivered to its end-user before configuration, and configuration to be performed by the network operator in situ, but without a site visit, by delivery and plug-in of the small-form device 80, which is typically of a suitable size to be mailed.

Abstract: A connection (5) to a first network (3, 13) is connected by way of a first routing processor (4) to a switching processor (14), which has a connection (35) to a network address translation processor (17) providing access to one or more hosted functions (22). Connections (6, 25) separate from the network address translation processor (17) are made to one or more hosted functions (9, 16, 23), incompatible with the NAT process, and also to a second network (2). This allows connections not requiring NAT to avoid the delays incurred by that process. Data packets are routed to the network address translation processor (17) or the first routing processor (4) in accordance with header information in the packet identifying a transmission control processor (17) and the second interface (35).

Abstract: A small-form programmable pluggable device 80 is used to establish communication between a configurable “bare-metal” server 50 having no existing configuration software installed, and a provisioning server 60 capable of downloading software to the configurable server 50 to allow the configurable server 50 to be configured to perform a specific function. The pluggable device carries sufficient programming to access the required software 63 and deliver it to the configurable server 50. This allows the configurable server to be delivered to its end-user before configuration, and configuration to be performed by the network operator in situ, but without a site visit, by delivery and plug-in of the small-form device 80, which is typically of a suitable size to be mailed.

Abstract: Continuous process of forming aliphatic polyesters The process includes continuously providing cyclic ester monomer and polymerization catalyst to a continuous mixing loop reactor (CMLR) having static mixing elements and operated at a temperature between 100 and 240° C. to form a pre-polymerized reaction mixture. The conversion is between 40 and less than 90 wt. %, wherein the cyclic ester monomer comprises lactide having a free acid content lower than 50 milli-equivalents per kg. The pre-polymerized reaction mixture is continuously provided to a plug flow reactor that is a static mixer reactor having static mixing elements and is operated at a temperature between 110-240° C., wherein the reaction mixture is polymerized to a conversion of at least 90%, to form polymer wherein the flow ratio of the CMLR and the plug flow reactor is between 1.5 an d50. The process includes continuously removing polymer from the plug flow reactor devolitizing the polymer.

Abstract: A line card for use in a router or packet switch is disclosed. A problem with conventional routers or packet switches is that they can take over a second to fully react to a network state update from another router or packet switch. Such network state packets are used in dynamic routing protocols intended to route packets around a failed or overloaded router. In operating in according with dynamic routing protocols, conventional routers or packet switches react to such network state packets by updating the routing tables used by the line cards to send packets, or data extracted from packets, to the egress port (often on a different line card in the router or network switch) appropriate for the destination address found in the packet. Any packets which arrive between the network state packet's arrival and the completion of the ensuing routing table update on the line cards, can be misrouted—which can cause them to be delayed or dropped by the network.

Abstract: A line card for use in a router or packet switch is disclosed. A problem with conventional routers or packet switches is that they can take over a second to fully react to a network state update from another router or packet switch. Such network state packets are used in dynamic routing protocols intended to route packets around a failed or overloaded router. In operating in according with dynamic routing protocols, conventional routers or packet switches react to such network state packets by updating the routing tables used by the line cards to send packets, or data extracted from packets, to the egress port (often on a different line card in the router or network switch) appropriate for the destination address found in the packet. Any packets which arrive between the network state packet's arrival and the completion of the ensuing routing table update on the line cards, can be misrouted—which can cause them to be delayed or dropped by the network.

Abstract: A continuous process for the ring-opening polymerisation of cyclic ester monomers to form aliphatic polyesters at a temperature between 100-240° C. which includes a) continuously providing cyclic ester monomer and polymerisation catalyst to a continuous mixing reactor, the reactor being operated at conditions effective for polymerisation to form a pre-polymerised reaction mixture, b) continuously removing pre-polymerised reaction mixture from the continuous mixing reactor and continuously providing pre-polymerised reaction mixture to a plug flow reactor, the plug flow reactor being operated under polymerisation conditions, wherein the reaction mixture is polymerised to a degree of polymerisation of at least 90%, to form polymer, and c) continuously removing polymer from the plug flow reactor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor system for producing polycarbonate. The reactor system has one or more reactant vessels, an oligomerization reactor, a first pressure control device, a preheater, a second pressure control device, a distributor, and a flash tank. The one or more reactant vessels contain reactants contain a melt transesterification catalyst, a dihydroxy compound, and an activated diaryl carbonate. The reactor system is connected in the following configuration: (i) the one or more reactant vessels connected to the oligomerization reactor, (ii) the first pressure control device disposed between and connecting the outlet of the oligomerization reactor and the inlet of the preheater; (iii) the second pressure control device disposed between and connecting the outlet of the preheater and the distributor; and (iv) the distributor disposed at the inlet to the flash tank.

Abstract: A method by which silicon nanostructures may be selectively coated with molecules or biomolecules using an electrochemical process. This chemical process may be employed as a method for coating many different nanostructures within a circuit, each with a different molecular or biomolecular material. The density of devices within a circuit of devices that can be coated with different molecules is limited only by the ability to electronically address each device separately. This invention has applications toward the fabrication of molecular electronic circuitry and toward the fabrication of nanoelectronic molecular sensor arrays.

Abstract: A data acquisition system and method are described that may be used with various spectrometers. The data acquisition system may include an ion detector and a processing circuit. The processing circuit may include an initial processing module and a spectra processing module. According to one embodiment, the spectra processing module generates stick spectra and supplies the stick spectra to an external processor. The stick spectra comprise a peak intensity, resolution, and a location in the spectra for each detected peak. The initial processing module may contiguously sample the ion detection signals at a rate matched to the capabilities of the ion detector (up to at least 1.5 GHz) over a full spectral range. The spectra processing module may receive the processed signals and generate spectra from the processed signals at a rate matched to the time response of the separation techniques (up to 200 spectra/second).

Abstract: A method by which silicon nanostructures may be selectively coated with molecules or biomolecules using an electrochemical process. This chemical process may be employed as a method for coating many different nanostructures within a circuit, each with a different molecular or biomolecular material. The density of devices within a circuit of devices that can be coated with different molecules is limited only by the ability to electronically address each device separately. This invention has applications toward the fabrication of molecular electronic circuitry and toward the fabrication of nanoelectronic molecular sensor arrays.

Abstract: A method and system of the present invention generates a representation of a new version of an original file system with reference to the original file system and the new version of the file system. Use of data from previous versions of the file system reduces the amount of data to be stored in the delta directory map file, delta modification data block file, and delta look up table generated for the data portions unique to the newest version of an original file system. The inventive process produces delta data block records that identify the location of data portions that may be used to generate the newest version of the file system. The data portions may be located in a file in the original file system, a delta modification data block file in a previous version of the original file system or a delta modification data block file for the newest version of the original file system.

Abstract: A keypad is provided wherein the keys are sealingly mounted in keyholes provided in a housing by means of a key mount which centers each key and seals the space between each key and the edge of its keyhole. The key mount also provides an electrical contact which is brought into engagement with underlying circuitry in response to depression of a key. The key mount also resiliently mounts the key within the keyhole so after depression of the key the key mount returns the key to its initial position in which the contact is spaced from the circuitry.