Abstract: A platform for manipulating data associated with defining, deploying, and administering distributed server systems utilizes a structured data model with a flexible replication mechanism, a set of schemas, and an object model to manipulate system topology, configuration (settings), and policies. A scoping mechanism for characteristics of the settings, policies, and resolution is provided in addition to the data model along with an authorization mechanism for single and multi-tenant environments.

Abstract: Components of a distributed server system are configured through replicating configuration data from a central configuration store to server machines. Configuration data is placed in globally identifiable containers or batches. A master replication agent service and a file transfer agent service running in conjunction with a central data storage unit are responsible for replicating configuration data within the batches to other machines in the deployment. A replica replication agent service running on the individual machines updates its own state and posts its latest status back to the central replication services, which upon receiving the status from every machine pushes changes to synchronize the machines with the latest configuration in central store.

Abstract: A platform for manipulating data associated with defining, deploying, and administering distributed server systems utilizes a structured data model with a flexible replication mechanism, a set of schemas, and an object model to manipulate system topology, configuration (settings), and policies. A scoping mechanism for characteristics of the settings, policies, and resolution is provided in addition to the data model along with an authorization mechanism for single and multi-tenant environments.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the computational and network efficiency of presence servers having collections of publications is provided. The presence system uses several techniques that enable a presence server to provide rich presence information without requiring expensive processing. First, the presence system accepts batches of publication updates in a single presence update request. Similarly, the presence system accepts batches of subscription requests. Next, the presence system supports new expiration types for publication update requests that eliminate the need for a publishing user to continually refresh presence information that has not changed. Finally, the presence system accepts access lists that contain membership groups rather than an individual list of users that are to have access to a particular presence collection.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, method, and computer-readable media are provided for efficient database lookup operations. According to method, procedural checks for generating a response to a database query are converted into a set of database operations. The database operations are performed the first time a query of the database is received to generate a set of possible results for the query. The set of possible results for the query are then stored. A specific answer to the query is generated from the set of possible results. Future database queries are responded to by generating an answer to the query from the stored set of possible results.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the computational and network efficiency of presence servers having collections of publications is provided. The presence system uses several techniques that enable a presence server to provide rich presence information without requiring expensive processing. First, the presence system accepts batches of publication updates in a single presence update request. Similarly, the presence system accepts batches of subscription requests. Next, the presence system supports new expiration types for publication update requests that eliminate the need for a publishing user to continually refresh presence information that has not changed. Finally, the presence system accepts access lists that contain membership groups rather than an individual list of users that are to have access to a particular presence collection.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the computational and network efficiency of presence servers having collections of publications is provided. The presence system uses several techniques that enable a presence server to provide rich presence information without requiring expensive processing. First, the presence system accepts batches of publication updates in a single presence update request. Similarly, the presence system accepts batches of subscription requests. Next, the presence system supports new expiration types for publication update requests that eliminate the need for a publishing user to continually refresh presence information that has not changed. Finally, the presence system accepts access lists that contain membership groups rather than an individual list of users that are to have access to a particular presence collection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rollback-free method for performing multi-step procedures in the presence of possible failure. As the procedure proceeds from its initial state through transitions to its final state, its constituent transitions are monitored for failure. If a failure is detected, then the procedure is “sidetracked” into a recovery coordination state. From the recovery coordination state, the procedure is logically taken back to its initial state and retried. In this manner, the procedure is shepherded, without rollbacks, through its transitions until it successfully reaches its final state. In a particular embodiment, a multi-step procedure is developed for moving a resource from one resource server to another The steps of the procedure are designed so that all throughout the procedure, both of the resource servers and a directory server are kept synchronized. This allows client requests to proceed without interruption even during the resource movement.

Abstract: A method and system for managing presence information based on collections of publications is provided. The presence system creates collections of publications for a publisher. A publication includes a type and value. A publisher may define one collection of publications that is to be made available to certain subscribers and another collection of publications that is to be made available to other subscribers. The presence system may allow a publisher to update individual publications within a collection. Moreover, the presence system may identify subscribers of a collection at the time of subscription.

Abstract: An assignment system includes a client component and a server component. The client component, which executes on each client, requests the server component, which executes on the server, to perform the task on its behalf. When the server component is requested to perform the task on behalf of a client, it determines whether an available client is currently assigned to that task. If an available client is not currently assigned to the task, the server component assigns an available client to the task. If the client on whose behalf the server component is executing is assigned to the task, then the server component performs the task. Otherwise, the server component does not perform the task.

Abstract: A method and system for sending notifications from servers of a server pool to clients is provided. The notification system determines when an in-band notification is to be sent to clients. The notification system identifies a distinguished server for each client that is to send the in-band notification to that client. The notification system then sends an out-of-band notification to the distinguished server of each client indicating that an in-band notification is to be sent to the client. When the distinguished server receives the out-of-band notification, the distinguished server then sends an in-band notification to the client.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rollback-free method for performing multi-step procedures in the presence of possible failure. As the procedure proceeds from its initial state through transitions to its final state, its constituent transitions are monitored for failure. If a failure is detected, then the procedure is “sidetracked” into a recovery coordination state. From the recovery coordination state, the procedure is logically taken back to its initial state and retried. In this manner, the procedure is shepherded, without rollbacks, through its transitions until it successfully reaches its final state. In a particular embodiment, a multi-step procedure is developed for moving a resource from one resource server to another. The steps of the procedure are designed so that all throughout the procedure, both of the resource servers and a directory server are kept synchronized. This allows client requests to proceed without interruption even during the resource movement.