Abstract: A virtual applications architecture is provided according to the present invention. The architecture includes a topology manager for managing applications across a plurality of members, and a virtual applications manager for defining a plurality of resources comprising the applications. The topology manager communicates with the plurality of members to initiate scaling of the applications associated with the virtual applications manager to the members. The architecture may also include a replication system for deploying the applications to the members.

Abstract: A virtual applications architecture is provided according to the present invention. The architecture includes a topology manager for managing applications across a plurality of members, and a virtual applications manager for defining a plurality of resources comprising the applications. The topology manager communicates with the plurality of members to initiate scaling of the applications associated with the virtual applications manager to the members. The architecture may also include a replication system for deploying the applications to the members.

Abstract: A virtual applications architecture is provided according to the present invention. The architecture includes a topology manager for managing applications across a plurality of members, and a virtual applications manager for defining a plurality of resources comprising the applications. The topology manager communicates with the plurality of members to initiate scaling of the applications associated with the virtual applications manager to the members. The architecture may also include a replication system for deploying the applications to the members.

Abstract: Methods and systems for synchronizing a configuration of resources across multiple computing devices are described. Associated with the master computing device is a configuration of resources that are desired to be synchronized across the additional computing devices. The master computing device is configured to develop a list that describes aspects of its configuration of resources. Additional computing devices are configured to receive the list that is developed by the master computing device and evaluate the list to determine whether its particular configuration of resources is synchronized with those of the master computing device. If a particular additional computing device's configuration of resources is not synchronized with those of the master computing device, the additional computing device prepares a second list that describes its resource configuration needs and sends the second list to the master computing device.

Abstract: Extensible markup language (XML) methods and systems for synchronizing a configuration of resources across multiple computing devices are described. In the described embodiment, a computer network comprises a master computing device and a plurality of additional computing devices communicatively linked with the master computing device. The master computing device comprises a configuration of resources that are desired to be synchronized across the additional computing devices. The master computing device is configured to develop a XML list that describes aspects of its configuration of resources. Each additional computing device is configured to receive the XML list that is developed by the master computing device and evaluate the XML list to determine whether its particular configuration of resources are synchronized with those of the master computing device.

Abstract: A generic transaction replication service receives update transactions from individual application servers, and forwards the update transactions for processing to all application servers that run the same service application, thereby enabling each application server to maintain a replicated copy of service content data. Upon receiving an update transaction, the application servers perform the specified update, and asynchronously report back to the transaction replication service on the "success" or "failure" of the transaction. When inconsistent transaction results are reported by different application servers, the transaction replication service uses a voting scheme to decide which application servers are to be deemed "consistent," and takes inconsistent application servers off-line for maintenance. Each update transaction replicated by the transaction replication service is stored in a transaction log.

Abstract: An on-line services network includes application servers and Gateway microcomputers that are interconnected by a LAN. The Gateway microcomputers receive service requests which are transmitted over a WAN from client microcomputers operated by end users. Upon receiving a request to open a service, the Gateway microcomputers access a periodically-updated service map to locate the replicated application servers that are currently running the corresponding service application, and then apply a load balancing method (using server load data contained within the service map) to select an application server that has a relatively low processing load. A communications protocol between the client and Gateway microcomputers enables users to access multiple services simultaneously. A hot redirection technique allows a user service session to be transferred from one application server to another (replicated) application server without termination of the service session.

Abstract: An on-line services network includes application servers and Gateway microcomputers that are interconnected by a LAN. The Gateway microcomputers receive service requests which are transmitted over a WAN from client microcomputers operated by end users. Upon receiving a request to open a service, the Gateway microcomputers access a periodically-updated service map to locate the replicated application servers that are currently running the corresponding service application, and then apply a load balancing method (using server load data contained within the service map) to select an application server that has a relatively low processing load. A communications protocol between the client and Gateway microcomputers enables users to access multiple services simultaneously. A hot redirection technique allows a user service session to be transferred from one application server to another (replicated) application server without termination of the service session.

Abstract: A system for generating message headers where previously saved message headers are retrieved from memory when needed to satisfy a message header requirement. Message headers are comprised of segments where each message header segment has a different lifetime. In particular, a file-object response message header includes a header segment containing information linked to the requested file-object. This file-object linked header segment is retrieved when needed from a file-object header cache. A file-object response message header includes other segments such as one containing time-variant global information and time-invariant global information. Building header messages from multiple segments retrieved from their respective cache memories saves significant processing time as compared to generating a new message header each time a header is required by operation of a network server application.