Abstract: Some embodiments provide a novel method for assessing the suitability of network links for connecting compute nodes located at different geographic sites. The method of some embodiments identifies and analyzes sample packets from a set of flows exchanged between first and second compute sites that are connected through a first network link in order to identify attributes of the sampled packets. The method also computes attributes of predicted packets between the identified samples in order to identify attributes of each flow in the set of flows. The method then uses the identified and computed attributes of each flow in the set of flows to emulate the set of flows passing between the two compute sites through the second network link in order to assess whether a second network link should be used for future flows (e.g., future flows exchanged between the first and second compute sites).

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided techniques for managing functionality changes of a database platform of a service provider. The techniques facilitate implementing changes to the database platform while minimizing work flow reductions to users of the database platform. To that end, one embodiment of the present invention delays implementation of the changes for a duration of time to provide users of the database platform an opportunity to adjust behavioral interaction with the database platform. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, users may implement the functional changes to determine any adverse impact on work flow, before the functional changes become permanent. In another embodiment, the users may be afforded an opportunity to selectively enable and disable the functionality changes before the duration of time expires.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided techniques for managing functionality changes of a database platform of a service provider. The techniques facilitate implementing changes to the database platform while minimizing work flow reductions to users of the database platform. To that end, one embodiment of the present invention delays implementation of the changes for a duration of time to provide users of the database platform an opportunity to adjust behavioral interaction with the database platform. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, users may implement the functional changes to determine any adverse impact on work flow, before the functional changes become permanent. In another embodiment, the users may be afforded an opportunity to selectively enable and disable the functionality changes before the duration of time expires.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided techniques for managing functionality changes of an on-demand database system. The techniques facilitate implementing changes to the database system while minimizing work flow reductions to users of the database system. To that end, one embodiment of the present invention delays implementation of the changes to provide users of the system an opportunity to adjust behavioral interaction with the database. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, users may implement the functional changes to determine any adverse impact on work flow, before the functional changes become permanent. In another embodiment, the user may be afforded an opportunity to selectively enable and disable the functionality changes before the duration expires.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for using a database to access content stored outside of the database. These mechanisms and methods for using a database to access content stored outside of the database can enable embodiments to provide a database system which can be used to access content when the content is incapable of being stored in the database system, or is otherwise not stored in the database system. The ability of embodiments to provide access to such data via the database system can improve the usability of the database system.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for using a database to access content stored outside of the database. These mechanisms and methods for using a database to access content stored outside of the database can enable embodiments to provide a database system which can be used to access content when the content is incapable of being stored in the database system, or is otherwise not stored in the database system. The ability of embodiments to provide access to such data via the database system can improve the usability of the database system.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for using a database to access content stored outside of the database. These mechanisms and methods for using a database to access content stored outside of the database can enable embodiments to provide a database system which can be used to access content when the content is incapable of being stored in the database system, or is otherwise not stored in the database system. The ability of embodiments to provide access to such data via the database system can improve the usability of the database system.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided techniques for managing functionality changes of an on-demand database system. The techniques facilitate implementing changes to the database system while minimize work flow reductions to users of the database system. To that end, one embodiment of the present invention delays implementation of the changes to provide users of the system an opportunity to adjust behavioral interaction with the database. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, users may implement the functional changes to determine any adverse impact on work flow, before the functional changes become permanent. In another embodiment, the user may be afforded an opportunity to selectively enable and disable the functionality changes before the duration expires.