Abstract: An optical fiber comprises a core having an elliptical cross section and a cladding having a circular cross section. The core has an aspect ratio between 2 and 40. The core and the cladding have a common central axis with the core being enclosed by the cladding. The difference of a refractive index of the cladding to a refractive index of the core is between 1×10?2 and 1.5×10?1. A trench is located between the core and the cladding. The trench has a uniform width and encircles the core. The refractive index of the trench is lower than the refractive index of the cladding.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that include generating a repository of metadata based on a plurality of webpages accessed and saved in a browser history of a web browser executing on a computing device, generating, based on the metadata, a history cluster including a portion of the plurality of webpages related to a topic where the history cluster generation is based on the source events and the access timestamps of the webpages in the portion, and assigning respective scores for the webpages in the portion. In response to a request to view browser activity associated with the topic, the systems and method may generate and display a history cluster listing for the topic where the history cluster listing includes visit listings associated with the webpages in the history cluster that are determined to have a score that meets a threshold score.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that include generating a repository of metadata based on a plurality of webpages accessed and saved in a browser history of a web browser executing on a computing device, generating, based on the metadata, a history cluster including a portion of the plurality of webpages related to a topic where the history cluster generation is based on the source events and the access timestamps of the webpages in the portion, and assigning respective scores for the webpages in the portion. In response to a request to view browser activity associated with the topic, the systems and method may generate and display a history cluster listing for the topic where the history cluster listing includes visit listings associated with the webpages in the history cluster that are determined to have a score that meets a threshold score.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that include generating a repository of metadata based on a plurality of webpages accessed and saved in a browser history of a web browser executing on a computing device, generating, based on the metadata, a history cluster including a portion of the plurality of webpages related to a topic where the history cluster generation is based on the source events and the access timestamps of the webpages in the portion, and assigning respective scores for the webpages in the portion. In response to a request to view browser activity associated with the topic, the systems and method may generate and display a history cluster listing for the topic where the history cluster listing includes visit listings associated with the webpages in the history cluster that are determined to have a score that meets a threshold score.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of monitoring the performance of a computer comprises determining the value of an activity metric of the monitored computer. The contribution(s) to the said value of one or more predetermined activities is/are determined In one embodiment, the said contribution(s) are subtracted from the said total value to provide a net value representing a measure of the performance of the computer. A predetermined data set may be used to identify the one or more predetermined activities. In another embodiment, the value of at least one activity metric of the monitored computer is determined excluding contributions to that value from the said one or more predetermined activities identified from the said data set to provide a net value representing a measure of the performance of the computer. The net value may be used to control the power consumption of the computer.

Abstract: A method of controlling power consumption in a computer by detecting whether or not there is any user activity, and also the identity of each process running on the computer. The identity of each process running on the computer is compared with a set of identities of previously identified processes, these having been deemed to be processes for which it is desirable that the computer maintains a high power state. The computer adopts a low power state if all the detected identities of processes are not in the set of high power state processes or no user activity is detected. The low power state is a state in which the computer is able to service requests. The computer freely adopts any available higher power state if user activity is detected or a detected process is in the set of high power state processes. The power state selected may depend on workload.

Abstract: A computer implemented method monitors a computer to determine values of a plurality of activity metrics of the monitored computer. A weighted combination of functions of the determined values is calculated as a measure of performance of the monitored computer. The weighted combination may be a weighted combination of net values of the activity metrics. In one method, the net values are calculated as the determined values of the plurality of activity metrics of the monitored computer excluding contributions to the values from one or more predetermined activities. In another method, the net values are calculated as total values of the respective activity metrics from which the total values of the one or more predetermined activities are subtracted. The weighted combination may be used to control power consumption or otherwise take action in relation to the computer.

Abstract: A method of controlling power consumption in a computer uses a power management program installed on the computer to detect the identities of processes running on the computer which maintain the computer in a high power state in the absence of input activity. The program compares the identity of the or each process running on the computer with a set of identities of previously identified processes and causes the computer to adopt a low power state if the detected identity of a process, or the detected identities of all the processes, running on the computer is/are in the set of previously identified processes.

Abstract: An operating system deployment arrangement provides a database connected to a network for use in monitoring the boot status of machines connected to sub-networks of the network. A workstation connected to a sub-network is adapted to act as a server for a pre-installation environment to machines newly connecting to the sub-network or at the same geographical location. The workstation carries a program for detecting boot initiation messages broadcast on the sub-network and for progressing booting of newly connecting machines in accordance with boot action data held by the database. In particular, the workstation also sends a software agent and operating system deployment processes to a newly connected machine and the agent takes over progression of the booting process from the workstation. The data held in the database for any one machine is updated as booting progresses.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of locating and retrieving a package over a network, including a management server, is provided. The method includes sending a package request, determining a subset of primary nodes, receiving a response including address data associated with the determined subset of primary nodes, determining one or more metrics associated with each of the subset of primary nodes to determine a useful primary node, sending a request for the package, upon receipt of the request determining one or more neighbour nodes on the second subnet holding part or all of the requested package, receiving a response including address data associated with the determined one or more neighbour nodes, selecting one or more target nodes from the one or more neighbour nodes, and retrieving part or all of the package from the selected one or more target nodes.

Abstract: A power control system for workstations (31-54) which are connected to a network (2). An application (300) running on a server (1) has access to a profile database (304) which stores records of estimated workstation start and end times and estimated user start and end times, and sends shut down and start up instructions to each workstation in accordance with the profile data. The time assumed to be the working day start for a workstation is either the estimated working day start for that workstation, or the estimated working day start for the user most likely to use that workstation. The time assumed to be the working day end for a workstation is either the estimated working day end for that workstation, or the estimated working day end for a user on that workstation. Workstation and user data is logged (303) to create the profiles.

Abstract: A systems management computer is provided, and comprises a processor configured to execute a set of stored instructions that implements a method for receiving data from a server over a first network and for distributing the data to a plurality of computers over a different second network. One instruction is for electing a computer from said plurality of computers of the second network to act as an active download master. Another instruction operates if the computer is elected as the active download master computer and initiates downloading of data over the first network to local data storage. A further instruction operates if the computer is elected as the active download master computer and multicasts, by a multicast distribution engine, the downloaded data over the second network to other computers of the second network.

Abstract: A method of controlling power consumption in a computer by detecting whether or not there is any user activity, and also the identity of each process running on the computer. The identity of each process running on the computer is compared with a set of identities of previously identified processes, these having been deemed to be processes for which it is desirable that the computer maintains a high power state. The computer adopts a low power state if all the detected identities of processes are not in the set of high power state processes or no user activity is detected. The low power state is a state in which the computer is able to service requests. The computer freely adopts any available higher power state if user activity is detected or a detected process is in the set of high power state processes. The power state selected may depend on workload.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of monitoring the performance of a computer comprises determining the value of an activity metric of the monitored computer. The contribution(s) to the said value of one or more predetermined activities is/are determined In one embodiment, the said contribution(s) are subtracted from the said total value to provide a net value representing a measure of the performance of the computer. A predetermined data set may be used to identify the one or more predetermined activities. In another embodiment, the value of at least one activity metric of the monitored computer is determined excluding contributions to that value from the said one or more predetermined activities identified from the said data set to provide a net value representing a measure of the performance of the computer. The net value may be used to control the power consumption of the computer.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of monitoring the performance of a computer comprises monitoring the computer to determine the values of a plurality of activity metrics of the monitored computer. A weighted combination of functions of the determined values is calculated as a measure of performance of the monitored computer. The weighted combination may be a weighted combination of net values of activity metrics. In one embodiment, the net values are calculated as the said values of the plurality of activity metrics of the monitored computer excluding contributions to the values from the one or more predetermined activities. In another embodiment, the net values are calculated as follows. The total values of the respective activity metrics of the monitored computer are determined. The contribution(s) to the said total values of the said one or more predetermined activities are determined The said contribution(s) are subtracted from the said total values to provide net values.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of controlling a computer comprises periodically determining the total value of at least one activity metric of the controlled computer. The contribution(s) to the said total value(s) of one or more predetermined activities are determined. In one embodiment, the said contribution(s) are subtracted from the said total value(s) to provide respective net value(s). The net values are compared with respective preset values and the power state of the computer is controlled in dependence on the comparison. The one or more predetermined activities may be identified using a predetermined data set. In another embodiment the net value of at least one activity metric of the monitored computer is a net value excluding contributions to the said value(s) from the said one or more predetermined activities identified from the said data set.

Abstract: A method of controlling power consumption in a computer uses a power management program installed on the computer to detect the identities of processes running on the computer which maintain the computer in a high power state in the absence of input activity. The program compares the identity of the or each process running on the computer with a set of identities of previously identified processes and causes the computer to adopt a low power state if the detected identity of a process, or the detected identities of all the processes, running on the computer is/are in the set of previously identified processes.

Abstract: A data processing system for distributing a package of data from a source to a plurality of data processing machines arranged in a plurality of sites. The data is transmitted from the source to the plurality of data processing machines by means of a multicast. At each site, a local data processing machine is designated as a site master; the other local data processing machines report missing data portions to the site master; and the site master consolidates reports of missing data portions, and requests missing data portions from the source. The source then transmits the missing data portions to the plurality of data processing machines by means of a further multicast. If the site master receives a report of missing data that the site master has stored locally, the site master provides that missing data to the local machines by means of a site multicast.

Abstract: An operating system deployment arrangement provides a database connected to a network for use in monitoring the boot status of machines connected to sub-networks of the network. A workstation connected to a sub-network is adapted to act as a server for a pre-installation environment to machines newly connecting to the sub-network or at the same geographical location. The workstation carries a program for detecting boot initiation messages broadcast on the sub-network and for progressing booting of newly connecting machines in accordance with boot action data held by the database. In particular, the workstation also sends a software agent and operating system deployment processes to a newly connected machine and the agent takes over progression of the booting process from the workstation. The data held in the database for any one machine is updated as booting progresses.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with data distribution apparatus, for use on each of a plurality of machines in distributing a set of data over a network amongst said machines. The apparatus comprises: i) multicast apparatus for use in multicasting said set of data over the network for receipt by others of said machines; and ii) a data retrieval arrangement for use in retrieving data from a set of data previously multicast by at least one of said machines, and supplying retrieved data to the multicast apparatus for use in multicasting the retrieved data over the network to others of the plurality of machines, wherein more than one of said plurality of machines is enabled to act as a multicast source in distributing the set of data over the network. In embodiments of the invention, a first machine is elected as download master and multicasts downloaded data, via a group address, to the networked machines.