Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products provide assignment of ports for connections originated by multiple application instances executing on different data processing systems utilizing a common network address. An indication of available ports for the common network address is provided to each of the different data processing systems executing the multiple application instances. A port identified as available is selected as a port for a connection utilizing the common network address.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products provide assignment of ports for connections originated by multiple application instances executing on different data processing systems utilizing a common network address. An indication of available ports for the common network address is provided to each of the different data processing systems executing the multiple application instances. A port identified as available is selected as a port for a connection utilizing the common network address.

Abstract: A multi-path channel interface for computer input-output systems includes the ability to define and activate unbalanced groups of unidirectional communications sub-channels for a user application. Protocol independent exchange identifications permit not only unbalanced transmission groups but also allow user-controlled extensions for negotiating the values of transmission parameters at the time the transmission group is activated. When error correcting re-transmissions force the re-segmenting of data blocks, second level sub-segment indexing assure the proper order of delivery of the various segments and sub-segments. The exchange identifications include an identification of the user protocol being supported and thus permit interfacing with any user protocol.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a filtering apparatus which incorporates a flow deflector, to divert an incoming flow of the fluid to be filtered, which serves as a device to cause one or more multifaceted bead members to circulate throughout and to impinge upon every surface of an inlet chamber of the filter apparatus so that contaminents tend to be removed from the filter inlet surface portion of the inlet chamber.

Abstract: A filter apparatus for removing contaminants from a fluid comprises a cylindrical body and first and second caps coupled to first and second ends of the cylindrical body. Each of the caps has an aperture therein for the flow of fluid therethrough and first and second filters are positioned within said first and second caps respectively such that a filter medium is housed within said cylindrical body and restrained by said first and second filters. The first and second filters are continuously cleaned by impinging multifaceted beads. The filter apparatus is entirely symmetrical and either the first or second cap may serve as an inlet cap while the other cap serves as an outlet.

Abstract: A valve assembly adapted to be coupled to the spigot of a conventional sink faucet, which valve can selectively divert water from the spigot to either an auxiliary filter or to a drain. The valve incorporates a housing having a threaded inlet, an internal chamber and first and second outlets. A slidably mounted spool defines a valve head, and normally directs the flow toward the drain, but the spool can be shifted to divert the flow to the filter on either a continuous or a "single-shot" basis.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an apparatus for packaging filtering elements in a filter device, which incorporates first and second rotatably communicating case portions respectively having alignable apertures, which apertures can be aligned to permit the filter elements to be loaded into the case, and which apertures can be misaligned to seal the filter elements within the case.