Abstract: Automatically finding and using network services. An extensible framework is defined which allows any network service, new or old, to be defined. A base schema is defined that defines existing network services, and extension schemes may also be defined which are specific to new network services. A vendor can define the schemas in XML, as well as using software plug-ins and configuration data. The information is stored on a network provider's server. Clients can browse the network providers server for available services. Any available services can be accepted. When this happens, a form is provided to the client; the client fills out the form; and returns it. The information on the form is associated with the XML schemas and used to select and automatically configure the network service.

Abstract: Described is a method and arrangement for managing a network which is coupling at least a first component and a remote component. A database is transmitted from the first component to the remote component via the network. The database includes filter data having at least one condition and action data corresponding to the at least one condition. A data packet is transmitted from the first component to the remote component via the network. The data packet includes a plurality of fields and data. The fields of the data packet are filtered at the remote component to determine if the at least one condition is satisfied.