Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to an intelligent endpoint or communication device that can collect available bandwidth-related information metrics and/or perform call admission control functions. The present invention is further directed to an architecture comprising a switch or media server in communication with a plurality of subscriber communication devices in which the subscriber communication devices act as network nodes to collect available bandwidth-related information.

Abstract: A system for providing a high communications quality is provided. The system comprises: (a) an input operable to receive a message from at least one of first and second network nodes 200 and 204, the first and second network nodes communicating with one another in a session and the message indicating a service problem with the session and (b) a statistic collection agent 248 operable to cause, in response to the message, at least one of the following operations: (i) reconfiguration of one or more attributes or resources in the network; (ii) variation of a sampling frequency of one or more session-related performance attributes associated with the network; (iii) alteration of the types of session-related performance attributes being collected regarding the network; and (iv) collection of session-related information from nodes other than the at least first and second network nodes.

Abstract: A server for processing an electronic message is provided that includes: (a) an input operable to a message inputted by a user, the message comprising one or more recipients, and a restriction identifier for the message, the restriction identifier identifying a subset of recipients from among a set of recipients to receive the message; and (b) when a restriction identifier is received, a processor operable to tag the message with the restriction identifier.

Abstract: A system for determining a topology associated with a network such as an enterprise network. The system includes a data collection agent 204 configured to (a) identify a first set of routers from among a larger, second set of routers in an enterprise network, (b) contact each of the routers in the first set of routers but not each of the other routers in the second set of routers, and (c) load network information maintained by at least some of the contacted routers in the first set of routers. The loaded network information can then be used to form a network or routing topology of the enterprise network.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to an intelligent endpoint or communication device that can collect available bandwidth-related information metrics and/or perform call admission control functions. The present invention is further directed to an architecture comprising a switch or media server in communication with a plurality of subscriber communication devices in which the subscriber communication devices act as network nodes to collect available bandwidth-related information.

Abstract: A system for providing a high communications quality is provided. The system comprises: (a) an input operable to receive a message from at least one of first and second network nodes 200 and 204, the first and second network nodes communicating with one another in a session and the message indicating a service problem with the session and (b) a statistic collection agent 248 operable to cause, in response to the message, at least one of the following operations: (i) reconfiguration of one or more attributes or resources in the network; (ii) variation of a sampling frequency of one or more session-related performance attributes associated with the network; (iii) alteration of the types of session-related performance attributes being collected regarding the network; and (iv) collection of session-related information from nodes other than the at least first and second network nodes.

Abstract: A system for determining a topology associated with a network such as an enterprise network. The system includes a data collection agent 204 configured to (a) identify a first set of routers from among a larger, second set of routers in an enterprise network, (b) contact each of the routers in the first set of routers but not each of the other routers in the second set of routers, and (c) load network information maintained by at least some of the contacted routers in the first set of routers. The loaded network information can then be used to form a network or routing topology of the enterprise network.