Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for transparent TCP negotiations. In one embodiment, endpoint machines (e.g., clients and servers) negotiate network characteristics through use of TCP header fields, which provide backward capability. Negotiations may be requested or initiated by either endpoint, and if the receiving endpoint is not capable of negotiating, the existing TCP connection will continue to operate as normal.

Abstract: A method for network communication privacy between network devices includes communicating first and second network enabled devices with a network, the first and second network devices in communication via a main communication channel. Respective network addresses of the first and second network enabled devices are dynamically and automatically changed while maintaining the main communication channel between the first and second network enabled devices. Subsequent network addresses of the first and second network enabled devices are created in one of a symmetric manner using a secret key or predetermined list shared between the first and second network enabled devices or created in an asymmetric manner. The asymmetric manner includes communicating the subsequent network addresses of the first and second network enabled devices over a back channel separate from the main communication channel.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for creating searches in peer-to-peer networks includes forming clusters comprising data from a user's media library and formulating at least one search request message in accordance with the clusters. Formation of the clusters may be guided at least in part by data attributes that the user indicates are important. In this way, the user's media library may be “mined” for information that will aid in creating searches for data that the user may be interested in, but may not necessarily know how to search for or may not necessarily know exists.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer products for profile-based identity verification over the Internet. Exemplary embodiments include a method for profiling a user on a network, the method including receiving an input of streams corresponding to network activities associated with the user, wherein the input of streams are received from one or more layers of the network, in response to receiving a request to supply specified-input, receiving a score function and a list of attributes to be monitored, classifying the input of streams into network-activity classifications, extracting values and attributes for the network-activity classifications, and placing the extracted values and attributes into data sets, calculating a score of the data sets, comparing the data sets to a database of activity-specific attributes and mapping the data sets to a class of individuals based on a value of the score and the comparison of the database of activity-specific attributes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for configuring network addresses on multiple machines, such that each machine obtains its own unique network address and other network parameters. These parameters may include network mask, default gateway and DNS servers, etc. The invention further provides apparatus, a computer product and an article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing a computer process to be capable of participating in the network configuration and address assignment process. In an example embodiment multiple unconfigured servers are attached to a network together with one or more configured servers. The process is started by one of the configured servers which triggers the unconfigured machines to participate in a distributed protocol whereby the unconfigured servers mutually agree on unique network addresses for themselves.