Abstract: A method for software patching, the method may include determining to expose at least one patch of a version of an operating system to one or more computers located outside a unified local path repository (ULPR) hosted by a computer; and exposing, for period of time and by the ULPR, a selected logical computer that stores the at least one patch. The selected logical computer is selected out of multiple logical computers of the ULPR. Different logical computers of the multiple logical computers store operating systems that differ from each other by at least one of identity and version.

Abstract: A method for software patching, the method may include determining to expose at least one patch of a version of an operating system to one or more computers located outside a unified local path repository (ULPR) hosted by a computer; and exposing, for period of time and by the ULPR, a selected logical computer that stores the at least one patch. The selected logical computer is selected out of multiple logical computers of the ULPR. Different logical computers of the multiple logical computers store operating systems that differ from each other by at least one of identity and version.

Abstract: A management unit comprising a processor, the management unit is configured to be in communication with at least one management system, the at least one management system configured to be in communication with at least one endpoint machine in an environment of multiple endpoint machines, the processor is configured to: assign for the at least one management system a dynamic group of endpoint machines; execute a relevant adaptor on the management system according to the assigned dynamic group; and apply to the dynamic group of endpoint machines, by the executed adaptor, policy rules relevant to the dynamic group of endpoint machines.

Abstract: A management unit comprising a processor, the management unit is configured to be in communication with at least one management system, the at least one management system configured to be in communication with at least one endpoint machine in an environment of multiple endpoint machines, the processor is configured to: assign for the at least one management system a dynamic group of endpoint machines; execute a relevant adaptor on the management system according to the assigned dynamic group; and apply to the dynamic group of endpoint machines, by the executed adaptor, policy rules relevant to the dynamic group of endpoint machines.

Abstract: A multi end-point (EP) conferencing system, including a decentralized scalable network of End-Points that includes a source EP being configured to connect to a non-virtual target EP. The source EP being configured to transmit to the non-virtual target EP a conference list thereof, for distributing to non-virtual EPs and virtual EPs associated with the target EP. It is further configured to receive a conference list of the non-virtual target EP, integrate the received conference list with its conference list to obtain an integrated conference list and distribute the integrated conference list or parts thereof to virtual EPs and non-virtual EPs associated with the source EP. The source EP being further configured to receive a positive selection notification being indicative of a requesting EP from EPs associated with the source EP that would like to get data from the source EP.

Abstract: Multimedia communication systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary system comprises a server adapted to communicate with two or more multimedia endpoints; and a MCU adapted to communicate with the at least one server and the multimedia endpoints, wherein the server contains a module for instructing the multimedia endpoints to call a dial number for the MCU to establish a multimedia conference in response to a requested list of multimedia endpoints received from one of the multimedia endpoints. An exemplary method for establishing a multimedia conference comprises receiving at a server from a first endpoint a requested list of second endpoints desired to participate in the multimedia session; reviewing at the server the status of the second endpoints; and if the status of a particular second endpoint is an available status, instructing at least some of the available second endpoints to call a dial number for a MCU to participate in the multimedia conference.

Abstract: A multi end-point (EP) conferencing system, including a decentralized scalable network of End-Points that includes a source EP being configured to connect to a non-virtual target EP. The source EP being configured to transmit to the non-virtual target EP a conference list thereof, for distributing to non-virtual EPs and virtual EPs associated with the target EP. It is further configured to receive a conference list of the non-virtual target EP, integrate the received conference list with its conference list to obtain an integrated conference list and distribute the integrated conference list or parts thereof to virtual EPs and non-virtual EPs associated with the source EP. The source EP being further configured to receive a positive selection notification being indicative of a requesting EP from EPs associated with the source EP that would like to get data from the source EP.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a service may include creating a management tool backend server. A management unit may be installed on a management tool backend server. A request to provide a management service may be received and the management unit and a plurality of management agents installed in a plurality of endpoint servers may be caused to provide the management service.

Abstract: Multimedia communication systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary system comprises a server adapted to communicate with two or more multimedia endpoints; and a MCU adapted to communicate with the at least one server and the multimedia endpoints, wherein the server contains a module for instructing the multimedia endpoints to call a dial number for the MCU to establish a multimedia conference in response to a requested list of multimedia endpoints received from one of the multimedia endpoints. An exemplary method for establishing a multimedia conference comprises receiving at a server from a first endpoint a requested list of second endpoints desired to participate in the multimedia session; reviewing at the server the status of the second endpoints; and if the status of a particular second endpoint is an available status, instructing at least some of the available second endpoints to call a dial number for a MCU to participate in the multimedia conference.

Abstract: Multimedia communication systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary system comprises a server adapted to communicate with two or more multimedia endpoints; and a MCU adapted to communicate with the at least one server and the multimedia endpoints, wherein the server contains a module for instructing the multimedia endpoints to call a dial number for the MCU to establish a multimedia conference in response to a requested list of multimedia endpoints received from one of the multimedia endpoints. An exemplary method for establishing a multimedia conference comprises receiving at a server from a first endpoint a requested list of second endpoints desired to participate in the multimedia session; reviewing at the server the status of the second endpoints; and if the status of a particular second endpoint is an available status, instructing at least some of the available second endpoints to call a dial number for a MCU to participate in the multimedia conference.

Abstract: A home videoconferencing system interfaces with traditional set-top boxes and typical home A/V equipment. The system includes a camera, a microphone, and a codec module. The module can couple to a modem connected to a television network and can couple to a display and a set-top box. Alternatively, the module can connect to a network for exchanging videoconference data and can connect between the set-top box and the display. The set-top box can connect to the television network on its own.

Abstract: A management unit comprising a processor, the management unit is configured to be in communication with at least one management system, the at least one management system configured to be in communication with at least one endpoint machine in an environment of multiple endpoint machines, the processor is configured to: assign for the at least one management system a dynamic group of endpoint machines; execute a relevant adaptor on the management system according to the assigned dynamic group; and apply to the dynamic group of endpoint machines, by the executed adaptor, policy rules relevant to the dynamic group of endpoint machines.

Abstract: A multi end-point (EP) conferencing system, including a decentralized scalable network of End-Points that includes a source EP being configured to connect to a non-virtual target EP. The source EP being configured to transmit to the non-virtual target EP a conference list thereof, for distributing to non-virtual EPs and virtual EPs associated with the target EP. It is further configured to receive a conference list of the non-virtual target EP, integrate the received conference list with its conference list to obtain an integrated conference list and distribute the integrated conference list or parts thereof to virtual EPs and non-virtual EPs associated with the source EP. The source EP being further configured to receive a positive selection notification being indicative of a requesting EP from EPs associated with the source EP that would like to get data from the source EP.

Abstract: A home videoconferencing system interfaces with traditional set-top boxes and typical home A/V equipment. The system includes a camera, a microphone, and a codec module. The module can couple to a modem connected to a television network and can couple to a display and a set-top box. Alternatively, the module can connect to a network for exchanging videoconference data and can connect between the set-top box and the display. The set-top box can connect to the television network on its own.

Abstract: A multi-endpoint (EP) conferencing system, including a decentralized scalable network of endpoints, includes a source EP configured to connect to a non-virtual target EP. The source EP being configured to transmit to the non-virtual target EP a conference list for distributing to non-virtual EPs and virtual EPs associated with the target EP. The source EP is further configured to receive a conference list of the non-virtual target EP, integrate the received conference list with its conference list to obtain an integrated conference list and distribute the integrated conference list, or parts thereof, to the virtual EPs and the non-virtual EPs. The source EP being further configured to receive a positive selection notification indicative of a requesting EP from EPs that would like to get data from the source EP. In response to receipt of the positive selection notification, the source EP is configured to transmit data to the requesting EP.

Abstract: A home videoconferencing system interfaces with traditional set-top boxes and typical home A/V equipment. The system includes a camera, a microphone, and a codec module. The module can couple to a modem connected to a television network and can couple to a display and a set-top box. Alternatively, the module can connect to a network for exchanging videoconference data and can connect between the set-top box and the display. The set-top box can connect to the television network on its own.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a middleware server for interfacing a Multipoint Conferencing Unit (MCU) with a communication system and/or a management system within the context of an organization. The middleware server uses modular architecture, making the middleware server highly adaptable to different types of communication systems and management systems. The middleware server is useful for interfacing a MCU with communication devices including Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) telephones, Internet Protocol telephones (IP-phones), and multimedia endpoints and with management applications such as exchange servers and databases. The middleware server is useful for managing multimedia sessions according to organizational policies.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system includes a camera, a microphone, and an interface module. The module is coupled a modem connected to a television network and is coupled to a television set and a set-top box. The module decodes encoded audio video signals received from the modem that are part of a videoconferencing session. The module also encodes audio and video signals received from the camera and the microphone and sends the encoded audio video signals to the modem to be part of the videoconferencing session. The module can selectively send decoded audio signals to the television set or can selectively send video received from the set-top box to the television display. In addition, the module can send compressed audio and video signals received from the microphone and camera to the set-top box for processing and delivery to the television display.

Abstract: A multi end-point (EP) conferencing system, including a decentralized scalable network of End-Points that includes a source EP being configured to connect to a non-virtual target EP. The source EP being configured to transmit to the non-virtual target EP a conference list thereof, for distributing to non-virtual EPs and virtual EPs associated with the target EP. It is further configured to receive a conference list of the non-virtual target EP, integrate the received conference list with its conference list to obtain an integrated conference list and distribute the integrated conference list or parts thereof to virtual EPs and non-virtual EPs associated with the source EP. The source EP being further configured to receive a positive selection notification being indicative of a requesting EP from EPs associated with the source EP that would like to get data from the source EP.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a middleware server for interfacing a MCU with a communication system and/or a management system within the context of an organization. The middleware server uses modular architecture, making the middleware server highly adaptable to different types of communication systems and management systems. The middleware server is useful for interfacing a MCU with communication devices including POTS telephones, IP-telephones, and multimedia endpoints and with management applications such as exchange servers and databases. The middleware server is useful for managing multimedia sessions according to organizational policies.