Abstract: A method of generating device-specific configuration data during the initial set up of a device comprises, during a configuration process running on the device, sending from the device a first message and including a device identifier to a server using a first mode of communication associable with a service identifier, sending from the device a second message including the device identifier to a server using a second mode of communication not associable with said service identifier, processing the first message to associate the device identifier with the service identifier, and processing the second message to query if the device identifier has been previously associated with the service identifier, and if so, sending device-specific configuration data to the device for use during the configuration process, wherein after the configuration process is completed, the device-specific configuration data enables authentication using said service identifier when the device uses said second mode of communication.

Abstract: A client device (6) may be connected to a network (2) through a private network and one of several connection servers (10, 11, 12, 13) associated with a router (1). In such a configuration a server (5) external to the private network cannot provide a complete routing address for data to be transmitted to the device (6), as it does not have visibility of the control processors (10, 11, 12, 13). To allow such connection to be made, when a connection request for a target client device (6) is transmitted from an external server (5) to the router (1), the router retrieves connection history of the target device (6) from each of the connection servers, and the router 1 then attempts communication with the client device 6 through the connection server (10) reporting the most recent connection.

Abstract: A diagnostic processor (24) is installed in a router (2) on the user side of a network termination. This processor can be downloaded from the network and can in turn be downloaded to user terminals in a local network. On detection of a fault, the processor retrieves data from a store of fault rectification instructions, for display in a form appropriate to a user terminal, giving the user instruction appropriate to the fault condition detected and the type of router being used. This allows the user to rectify the problem without recourse to online or telephone helplines, which may be unavailable because of the prevailing fault condition.

Abstract: A diagnostic processor (24) is installed in a router (2) on the user side of a network termination. This processor can be downloaded from the network and can in turn be downloaded to user terminals in a local network. On detection of a fault, the processor retrieves data from a store of fault rectification instructions, for display in a form appropriate to a user terminal, giving the user instruction appropriate to the fault condition detected and the type of router being used. This allows the user to rectify the problem without recourse to online or telephone helplines, which may be unavailable because of the prevailing fault condition.

Abstract: A method of generating device-specific configuration data during the initial set up of a device (12) comprises, during a configuration process running on the device (12), sending from the device (12) a first message and including a device identifier to a server (40) using a first mode of communication associable with a service identifier, sending from the device (12) a second message including the device identifier to a server (46) using a second mode of communication not associable with said service identifier, processing the first message to associate the device identifier with the service identifier, and processing the second message to query if the device identifier has been previously associated with the service identifier, and if so, sending device-specific configuration data to the device (12) for use during the configuration process, wherein after the configuration process is completed, the device-specific configuration data enables authentication using said service identifier when the device uses sai

Abstract: A client device (6) may be connected to a network (2) through a private network and one of several connection servers (10, 11, 12, 13) associated with a router (1). In such a configuration a server (5) external to the private network cannot provide a complete routing address for data to be transmitted to the device (6), as it does not have visibility of the control processors (10, 11, 12, 13). To allow such connection to be made, when a connection request for a target client device (6) is transmitted from an external server (5) to the router (1), the router retrieves connection history of the target device (6) from each of the connection servers, and the router 1 then attempts communication with the client device 6 through the connection server (10) reporting the most recent connection.

Abstract: An architecture suitable for running on processing systems of limited processing power is disclosed. The architecture facilitates the portability of applications and optimises the use of CPU and/or memory resources. The architecture is embodied in novel data structures and applications which may be compiled into an extremely low footprint and optimised machine code. Also disclosed are tools for developing applications and particular applications of the architecture. The invention is particularly useful in the context of set-top-boxes, where it facilitates production of interactive games and the like which were previously not practicable.