Abstract: A method is provided for computing the size of a virtual circuit that places excessive traffic into a network. An illustrative method adjusts a contracted rate of traffic for a virtual circuit in a telecommunication network and can include downloading statistical data for network switches found on a website, identifying virtual circuits that make excessive use of the network, and adjusting the contracted rate of traffic to form a modified contracted rate of traffic.

Abstract: Methods of evaluating access to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) from alternate access connections and for improving access to VPNs from alternate access connections such as ISPs. The methods include downloading a set of tests through a network backbone to simulate access to the VPN from the alternate access connection and comparing the results of the test to benchmarks for the test of access to the VPN from leased lines and modems. By obtaining comparisons of the tests and the benchmarks, it is possible to determine the throughput of data through the VPN and tell the customer how its access connections are affecting, among other things, the raw data throughput. This allows the customer and/or the network service provider to adjust the access connections to improve communications with the VPN.

Abstract: Methods of evaluating access to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) from alternate access connections and for improving access to VPNs from alternate access connections such as ISPs. The methods include downloading a set of tests through a network backbone to simulate access to the VPN from the alternate access connection and comparing the results of the test to benchmarks for the test of access to the VPN from leased lines and modems. By obtaining comparisons of the tests and the benchmarks, it is possible to determine the throughput of data through the VPN and tell the customer how its access connections are affecting, among other things, the raw data throughput. This allows the customer and/or the network service provider to adjust the access connections to improve communications with the VPN.

Abstract: A method of dealing equitably with traffic from multiple VPNs feeding into a single router utilizes the weighted fair queueing (WFQ) technique of the prior art in combination with a “service level” queue comprising a set of tokens defining the class of service (COS) with the next packet to be transmitted and a queue selector that functions to query each queue in a round robin fashion. The service level queue ensures that the higher priority traffic will be transmitted first, while the queue selector ensures that each VPN will receive similar service. The queue selector may be “weighted” in that if a particular VPN generates substantially more traffic than the other VPNS, that VPN will be selected more than once during a round robin cycle to transmit a packet (“weighted round robin” WFQ).

Abstract: A system and method for limiting congestion in a network is disclosed. The system includes exchanging data packets through a virtual circuit in a network of links and switches. The system includes at least one switch having a queue within the virtual circuit. The system also includes a message received at the network switches when the queue is congested. The message is propagated through the network. The system also includes an ingress switch having a graceful discard state that responds to the message. The ingress switch discards the data packets that exceed the capacity of the virtual circuit in accordance with the graceful discard state.

Abstract: Methods of minimizing the cherry picking potential of a network having regions in which nodes of the network may be found are disclosed. The methods randomly seed each region of the network with a node and, and an unassigned node is selected at random. A cherry picking potential is then computed for that node in the region and the method then loops around all of the nodes in all of the regions to find the minimum cherry picking potential for the network.

Abstract: Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that display hidden software options to a user. The GUIs described herein contain an instrumentality, for example an icon, which a user can activate which produces a separate drop down menu that lists at least some of the options that may be hidden to the user, but that are available. This removes the need for the user to search through the software or manuals for the software to determine where the options may be found if not visually apparent on the GUI.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and analyzing multi-dimensional data are provided. Example embodiments provide a Meta-Object Data Management System “MODMS,” which enables users to arrange and to rearrange the hierarchical relationships of the data on an ad-hoc basis and allows the data to be analyzed using any set of attributes (dimensions) while the system is running. The MODMS represents heterogeneous data in a normalized (standardized) fashion using an object type management system that allows the arbitrary coercion of one type of object into another different type of object and automatically resolves attribute dependencies. In one embodiment, the MODMS comprises an object type management subsystem; a meta-object instantiation subsystem; one or more data repositories that hold, for example, the data used to populate objects and object type definitions; and an input/output interface.

Abstract: Methods of evaluating access to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) from alternate access connections and for improving access to VPNs from alternate access connections such as ISPs. The methods include downloading a set of tests through a network backbone to simulate access to the VPN from the alternate access connection and comparing the results of the test to benchmarks for the test of access to the VPN from leased lines and modems. By obtaining comparisons of the tests and the benchmarks, it is possible to determine the throughput of data through the VPN and tell the customer how its access connections are affecting, among other things, the raw data throughput. This allows the customer and/or the network service provider to adjust the access connections to improve communications with the VPN.

Abstract: A technique for minimizing or eliminating the effect of multipath signals in a receiver processing pseudorandom (PRN) code signals, such as in a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The presence of multipath signals adversely affects both code measurements and carrier phase measurements of received PRN signals. One aspect of the invention provides for improved code tracking in the presence of multipath signals, by sampling the received code with a multipath mitigation window (MMW) (FIG. 25D) that results in a code error function (FIG. 25F) that reduces or eliminates the multipath effects. The MMW, which may be any of a number of preferred waveforms (FIGS. 35B-35E), provides a code error function that varies in opposite directions from zero at a desired tracking point (402), but assumes a nearly zero value when the MMW is advanced from the tracking or synchronization point by more than a small fraction of a code chip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for focusing X-rays. In one embodiment, his invention is a commercial-grade compound refractive X-ray lens. The commercial-grade compound refractive X-ray lens includes a volume of low-Z material. The volume of low-Z material has a first surface which is adapted to receive X-rays of commercially-applicable power emitted from a commercial-grade X-ray source. The volume of low-Z material also has a second surface from which emerge the X-rays of commercially-applicable power which were received at the first surface. Additionally, the commercial-grade compound refractive X-ray lens includes a plurality of openings which are disposed between the first surface and the second surface. The plurality of openings are oriented such that the X-rays of commercially-applicable power which are received at the first surface, pass through the volume of low-Z material and through the plurality openings. In so doing, the X-rays which emerge from the second surface are refracted to a focal point.