Abstract: A widely-used data definition language such as the Extensible Markup Language is used to implement a tuple space-based coordination mechanism. Entries and template entries can represent any type of networked or network-proxied resource, object or service. Using this framework, diverse entry spaces can be aggregated and operated upon as though they were a single large entry space. The flexibility and power of XML constructs can be leveraged to make such aggregation straightforward and efficient.

Abstract: A mechanism for providing application-layer information persistence and exchange is provided. For an exemplary embodiment, an information space is constructed to span a group of one or more server systems. The information space is based on the tuple-space paradigm first introduced for the Linda coordination model. A coordination entity manages storage of tuples within the information space. Applications access tuples by consulting a local cache of known tuple locations. If the location of a tuple is known, access is directed to the known location. If the location is unknown, the coordination is queried to determine the correct tuple location. If a tuple has moved, the previously storing server generates a re-route exception. This causes the accessing application to query the coordination entity, retry the access, and update the local cache.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an attribute service for computer networks. The attribute service establishes a network database that relates attributes to computer resources. The attributes included in the database are typically part of a predefined or codified set. Client computers form queries using attributes selected from the codified set. The client computers then send the queries to a server that provides the attribute service (an AS server). The AS server resolves the queries using the database. The AS server formulates a response for each query and sends it to the requesting client computer. This provides an attribute-oriented method for identifying and locating resources within computer networks.

Abstract: A distributed network communication system implements a series of token exchange transactions similar to those used when passing browser cookies between an Internet server and a browser client. Rather than instigating a cookie exchange transaction from the Internet server to store information relevant to the server, according to this aspect of the present invention the proxy cookie is stored on the client side at the behest of the web proxy. To the browser client, the proxy cookie appears to be identical to any regular browser cookie; however, whenever the browser client presents a request for information to the proxy which is to be passed on to the Internet server, the proxy strips the proxy cookie from the request and uses it to identify the originator of the request. Based on this, the proxy can customize and personalize the client's information request as appropriate and pass it on to the Internet server.