Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to streaming bridge design implementations that help interconnect and transfer transaction packets between multiple source and destination host interfaces through a Network on Chip (NoC) interconnect, which includes a plurality of NoC router layers and virtual channels (VCs) connecting the router layers. Implementations are configured to support a variety of different traffic profiles, each having a different set of traffic flows. Streaming bridge design implementation can divide streaming bridge into a streaming TX bridge and a streaming RX bridge, wherein TX bridge is operatively coupled with host TX interfaces and RX bridge is operatively coupled with host RX interfaces, and where TX bridge forwards transaction packets from host TX interfaces to different router layers/VCs of NoC, and RX bridge, on the other hand, receives packets from NoC router layers/VCs and transmits the packets to host RX interfaces based on Quality of Service.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for determining a management domain, and the method includes: receiving, by a second network device, a first packet sent by a first network device, where the first packet includes a domain ID of a first management domain and a first IP address set corresponding to the domain ID of the first management domain, and the first IP address set includes an IP address of a network device in the first management domain; and when the second network device determines that the first IP address set includes an IP address of the second network device, determining that the second network device belongs to the first management domain, and storing the domain ID of the first management domain. By using this method, it is unnecessary to manually configure management domain information on the second network device, thereby simplifying configuration of a virtual cluster.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems are described related to generating and using a user equipment (UE) location distribution in a wireless communication network. In embodiments, an evolved Node B (eNB) may determine an angle of arrival (AoA) and a timing advance (Tadv) for individual UEs of a plurality of UEs that are in a connected mode with the eNB. The eNB may assign the individual UEs to one of a plurality of bins to generate a UE location distribution. Individual bins of the plurality of bins may correspond to a range of values for the AoA and a range of values for the Tadv to indicate a physical location of the corresponding UEs. The eNB may transmit the UE location distribution to a network management entity, which may adjust one or more parameters of the eNB, based on the UE location distribution, using a capacity and coverage optimization (CCO) function.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a packet at a tunnel end point in a multi-tenant network, the packet comprising a destination, performing a lookup for the destination in a database comprising a mapping of global identifiers to local tenant identifiers for different hosting locations, each of the global identifiers uniquely identifying a tenant across all of the hosting locations, identifying a destination tunnel end point and a local tenant identifier for the destination, and inserting the destination tunnel end point and the local tenant identifier into the packet and forwarding the packet. An apparatus and logic are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A frame search processing apparatus includes a frame information extraction unit (1) that extracts frame information from an input frame, a search processing unit (2) that compares the frame information with entry information, and a frame information output control unit (3) that controls output of the frame information to the search processing unit (2). The search processing unit (2) includes a plurality of comparison units that read out N pieces of entry information from a search table, and perform comparison between the entry information and the frame information at once.

Abstract: A Software-Defined Networking (SDN) switch that includes external network ports for receiving external network traffic onto the SDN switch, external network ports for transmitting external network traffic out of the SDN switch, a Network Flow Switch (NFX) integrated circuit that has multiple network ports and that maintains a flow table, another NFX integrated circuit that has multiple network ports and that maintains a flow table, and a Network Flow Processor (NFP) circuit that maintains a flow table. The NFP circuit couples directly to a network port of the first NFX integrated circuit but does not couple directly to any network port of the second NFX integrated circuit. The NFP circuit sends a flow entry to one NFX integrated circuit along with an addressing label and the NFX integrated circuit uses the addressing label to determine that the flow entry is to be forwarded to the second NFX integrated circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a distributed, advertisement-based, solution for scheduling virtual resources in cloud infrastructures such as the OpenStack. The scheduling algorithm distributes the scheduling requirements and host state feasibility checks to the individual hosts in the datacenter, which can periodically send a summarized advertisement to the scheduler controller listing the number of instances of different type(s) of virtual resources that a particular host can support. The scheduler controller, thus no longer has to compute and maintain individual host states, and the scheduling problem is reduced to selecting the feasible advertisements that satisfy a given request. The solution can be extended to a scenario of multiple scheduler controllers using the same distributed, advertisement-based, approach.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for multiple user uplink are provided. In one aspect, a method for wireless communication includes generating a first wireless message granting permission for a first station to transmit during a transmission opportunity, generating a second wireless message granting permission for a second station to transmit during the transmission opportunity; and transmitting the first wireless message to the first station at least partially concurrently with transmission of the second wireless message to the second station.

Abstract: A system and method for advertising out-of-resources (OOR) conditions for entities, such as nodes, line cards and data links, in a manner that does not involve using a maximum cost to indicate the entity is “out-of-resources.” According to the technique, an OOR condition for an entity is advertised in one or more type-length-value (TLV) objects contained in an advertisement message. The advertisement message is flooded to nodes on a data network to inform them of the entity's OOR condition. Head-end nodes that process the advertisement message may use information contained in the TLV object to determine a path for a new label switched path (LSP) that does not include the entity associated with the OOR condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to achieve traffic flow control in accordance with traffic priority as well as service plan considerations. A weight for flow control and a per service plan minimum flow control meter (FCM) can be defined for different throttle rates for different service plans. An FCM value based upon traffic priority can be converted to a per service plan group FCM value so that each service plan can be assigned/configured with its own FCM for each uplink queue. An average throttled data rate is then calculated to determine whether the traffic in a particular gateway is under or over throttled based on the current per service plan FCM with current input data rates. The per service plan FCM can then be revised for use by an Internet Protocol Gateway sending traffic to a Satellite Gateway.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a congestion management of a wireless communication network are disclosed. For example, the method projects dynamically a trend for a network element of the wireless communication network, using a functionality metric associated with the network element of the wireless communication network, and determines if there is a potential congestion in accordance with the trend. The method then provides a notification of the potential congestion, if there is a potential congestion for the network element of the wireless communication network.

Abstract: A transfer device in a network including a plurality of control devices includes a network connection device, memory, and a processor. The network connection device communicates a target packet as a target of a transferring process. The memory stores a transfer rule received by the network connection device from a determination device as a control device for determining a transfer rule indicating a method of a process performed by the transfer device. The processor judges whether or not disable information indicating that the transfer rule is not to be acquired from the determination device when a transfer rule applicable to the target packet is not stored in the memory is included in the target packet. When the disable information is included, the processor outputs the target packet to the network connection device without requesting the transfer rule. The network connection device transmits the target packet to another transfer device.

Abstract: A medium access control module including queues and gate, shaping and selector modules. The queues or the gate modules receive frames and timestamps from a memory. Ownership of the frames is masked based on the timestamps, which delays reception of the frames by the queues. The queues store the frames received from the memory. The gate modules compare the timestamps to a local time and permit transfer of the frames based on the comparisons. Each of the gate modules permits transfer of one of the frames in response to the local time matching or being later than a corresponding one of the timestamps. The shaping modules receive the frames from the queues or the gate modules and spread data in the frames over time to generate output signals. The selector module selects one of the output signals to forward to a physical layer device.

Abstract: A method for dynamically adjusting QoS parameters associated with a virtual circuit is disclosed. The virtual circuit includes a first end connected to a first router and a second end connected to a second router. The method includes receiving an offer message at the second router, and sending a request message to the first router. The offer message includes a first set of QoS parameters and the request message includes a second set of QoS parameters. The method further includes receiving a request confirmation message at the second router, receiving a new offer message at the second router, and sending information compliant with the second set of QoS parameters to the first router. The new offer message includes the second set of QoS parameters.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a device and first and second processors. The first and second processors are configured to access first information. The first information includes a first parameter and a second parameter. The first parameter is associated with a position of the device relative to the first processor. The second parameter is associated with a position of the device relative to the second processor. The system is configured to access second information associated with a virtual machine. The virtual machine is configured to run on a host operating system. The virtual machine includes a guest operating system configured to communicate with the device. The system is also configured to automatically select the first processor based at least on the first information and the second information and to associate the virtual machine with the first processor in response to automatically selecting the first processor.

Abstract: A system for providing differentiated services to traffic flows of a content distribution network is disclosed. In particular, the system may include determining if a first portion of an internet protocol address associated with a traffic flow includes an identifier for a node in the content distribution network by comparing the identifier to a set of prefixes for the content distribution network. Additionally, the system may include determining if a second portion of the internet protocol address matches a unique host address specified by the content distribution network for a customer of the content distribution network. If a rule for providing a differentiated service exists for the customer, the first portion is in the set of prefixes, and the second portion matches the unique host address specified for the customer, the system may provide the differentiated service for the traffic flow.

Abstract: Communication apparatus includes multiple ports for connection to a packet data network. A memory contains, for each port, a respective first, fixed headroom allocation to hold packets received from the network through the port and to contain a shared headroom buffer, which is available to be shared among a plurality of the ports. Flow-control logic allocates to each of the ports, within the shared headroom buffer, a respective second, variable headroom allocation, which varies responsively to fill levels of the respective first headroom allocation and of the shared headroom buffer, thereby defining, for each of the ports, a respective total headroom allocation comprising the respective first and second headroom allocations. The logic is configured to apply flow-control operations in response to the packets received from the network through each port responsively to a total fill level of the respective total headroom allocation of the port.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a router configured for priority-based routing. The router is configured to receive a plurality of packets, wherein each packet is assigned a priority value. The router includes an output circuit configured to select the packet with the highest priority value. The output circuit is configured to forward the priority value of the selected packet to a second router. The output circuit is configured to transfer the selected packet to the second router when the link between the first router and the second router is available.

Abstract: A network system includes a transmitting/receiving apparatus, a plurality of switches, and a network control apparatus. The switch includes a first packet transmission control unit and a second packet transmission control unit. The network system includes a first packet transmission control area according to the first packet transmission control unit, and a second packet transmission control area according to the second packet transmission control unit. A switch in the first packet transmission control area includes a first storage unit which stores a plurality of pieces of first rule information informed from the network control apparatus, applies a mask to a predetermined position of header information of an input packet according to the number of the plurality of pieces of first rule information, and controls the input packet according to the first rule information selected from the first storage unit based on the header information after masking.

Abstract: A communication method includes transmitting a first data from a first communication device to a second communication device, transmitting, from the second communication device to the first communication device, a limiting request that requests limiting of a transmission band from the first communication device to the second communication device, in a case where the data amount of the first data is less than a first threshold value, and executing limiting of the transmission band, based on the limiting request.

Abstract: A method of transmitting image data from a first node to a second node during a communication event, wherein the second node comprises a display for displaying image data at the second node, includes receiving at the first node, information indicating at least one display characteristic with which image data received at the second node will be displayed on the display; inputting image data at the first node; determining a processing step to be applied to the inputted image data to generate adapted image data, such that at least one characteristic of the adapted image data is optimized for the at least one display characteristic; applying the processing step to generate the adapted image data; and transmitting the adapted image data to the second terminal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mapping an iterative time-based data acquisition (DAQ) operation to an isochronous data transfer channel of a network. A time-sensitive buffer (TSB) associated with the isochronous data transfer channel of the network may be configured. A data rate clock may and a local buffer may be configured. A functional unit may be configured to initiate continuous performance of the iterative time-based DAQ operation, transfer data to the local buffer, initiate transfer of the data between the local buffer and the TSB at a configured start time, and repeat the transferring and initiating transfer in an iterative manner, thereby transferring data between the local buffer and the TSB. The TSB may be configured to communicate data over the isochronous data transfer channel of the network, thereby mapping the iterative time-based DAQ operation to the isochronous data transfer channel of the network.

Abstract: A switch device includes a receiving buffer, a switching processing unit, a determining unit, a generating unit, and a transmitting unit. The receiving buffer receives a data packet from a communication device. The switching processing unit stores the data packet received by the receiving buffer to one of a plurality of output queues provided for respective transmission ports based on the destination. The determining unit determines whether the amount of data in the output queues is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold. If the determining unit determines that the amount of data in any one of the output queues is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold, the generating unit generates a notifying packet for notifying that congestion has occurred. The transmitting unit transmits the notifying packet generated by the generating unit to another switch device.

Abstract: A system for increasing bandwidth to a communication device, comprising: a packet scheduler; and a transmitter; the system configured to operate the packet scheduler to schedule packets of a service flow onto multiple media access control (MAC) channels forming a MAC channel group before operating the transmitter to send the scheduled packets from an origination device toward a destination device, the packet scheduler waiting a maximum group cross channel skew time for an out-of sequence packet, the maximum group cross channel skew time a maximum of multiple pair cross channel skew times, one pair cross channel skew time associated with each pair grouping of MAC channels configured to be formed from the MAC channel group; and the system configured with a setting to allow only a single channel of the multiple channels of the MAC channel group to carry DOCSIS messages, and to override the setting to share at least some of the channels of the MAC channel group among multiple cable modems while the MAC channel gr

Abstract: Content delivery to end user devices (EUD) is controlled by transmitting content portions at a controlled flow. The time for the EUD to process the data is used to control the flow. The first portion is transmitted to the EUD and the amount of time to process the first portion is noted. Threshold values to stop and start transmissions are examined prior to the transmission of each content portion. If the amount of data remaining to be processed by the EUD is below the stop transmission threshold, transmission continues with the next portion. If the amount of data remaining to be processed by the EUD is above the stop threshold, transmission is either stopped or retarded. When it is determined that the amount of data remaining to be processed by the EUD is above the start transmission threshold, transmission is started or continued.

Abstract: A network and a communication method are described. The network comprises: source nodes, receiver nodes, and coding nodes. The coding nodes are connected with input links for communication of input signals to the coding nodes and output links for communication of output signals from the coding nodes. The output signals are a linear combination of the input signals. The coefficients of the linear combination are deterministically chosen based on local information available locally at the coding node.

Abstract: Methods and systems presented herein provide for self-routing multicast. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, using a switch controller, a multicast data stream join request from a source in a network, and creating, using the switch controller, a multipath identifier (ID) for a multicast data stream. Moreover, the method includes creating, using the switch controller, path identifiers (IDs) for intermediate switches in the network based on a local network topology database. Each path ID is associated with an output port bitmap. The method also includes transmitting, using the switch controller, the multipath ID and a path ID to a source of the multicast data stream, the path ID corresponding to the source of the multicast join request. Also, the multipath ID and the path ID are configured to allow the source of the multicast data stream to determine an output port mapping for a packet.

Abstract: An apparatus performs link aggregation for distributing a transmission control protocol (TCP) flow to multiple links. The apparatus includes multiple TCP processing units each corresponding to a different one of the multiple links, and distributes TCP packets transmitted from a first apparatus on a transmission side to the multiple links. Each TCP processing unit provides each of TCP packets distributed to the each link with an intra-link number.

Abstract: Within a networking device, packet portions from multiple PDRSDs (Packet Data Receiving and Splitting Devices) are loaded into a single memory, so that the packet portions can later be processed by a processing device. Rather than the PDRSDs managing and handling the storing of packet portions into the memory, a packet engine is provided. The PDRSDs use a PPI (Packet Portion Identifier) Addressing Mode (PAM) in communicating with the packet engine and in instructing the packet engine to store packet portions. The packet engine uses linear memory addressing to write the packet portions into the memory, and to read the packet portions from the memory.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a server computing device receives one or more inputs specifying a software module and one or more portions of a network. Each of the portions of the network includes multiple client devices. For each of the client devices in a portion of the network, the server computing device determines whether the client device meets one or more criteria. For at least one portion of the network having a client device meeting the one or more criteria, the server computing device selects the client device as a master device and provides the software module to the master device. The master device is operable to download the software module from one or more server computing devices, provide the software module to the other client devices in the portion of the network, and provide status information to the server computing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for accurately determining which of a set of networked computing environments most closely approximates a target computing environment. The determination is based on executing a reference workload in the target computing environment and calculating a coefficient of equivalency for each of the networked computing environments, which relates the performance of one or more computing resources in the target computing environment to the corresponding resources in the networked computing environments. The coefficient of equivalency may further be used to determine which of a set of networked computing environments will provide a target level of performance when executing the workload. The target computing environment may be assessed in terms of time, cost, percentage of capacity utilized, or other criteria.

Abstract: Lock access is managed in a data network having an initiator node and a remote target by issuing a lock command from a first process to the remote target via an initiator network interface controller to establish a lock on a memory location, and prior to receiving a reply to the lock command communicating a data access request to the memory location from the initiator network interface controller. Prior to receiving a reply to the data access request, an unlock command issues from the initiator network interface controller. The target network interface controller determines the lock content, and when permitted by the lock accesses the memory location. After accessing the memory location the target network interface controller executes the unlock command. When the lock prevents data access, the lock operation is retried a configurable number of times until data access is allowed or a threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the control of supplemental content in a data flow are provided such that supplemental content, such as advertising content, may be handled separately from other content in the data flow. One embodiment comprises a network element of a Packet-Switched (PS) network that serves mobile User Equipment (UE). The network element receives a data flow of packets for a download of content requested by the UE, identifies in the data flow supplemental content that was not requested by the UE, makes a determination concerning transmission of the supplemental content, and transmits at least a portion of the data flow based on the determination. For example, a repetition frequency limit, a temporal limitation, or a repetition frequency limit and corresponding temporal limitation can be utilized to control transmission of the supplemental content. The supplemental content also can be charged separately from other content of the data flow.

Abstract: Using information for efficient allocation of network resources, such as for a communication session, is disclosed. The methods and systems can utilize one or more identifiers that can be configured to indicate the presence of one or more supported features, along with an indication of whether the supported feature is required for communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bandwidth adjustment in a network virtualization system is described herein. The network virtualization system includes a central module and m remote modules, where the m remote modules are connected to a physical interface of the central module by n PWs. The method includes: acquiring, from the m remote modules, a real-time bandwidth of each PW of the n PWs; when a sum of the acquired real-time bandwidths of the n PWs is greater than a bandwidth of the physical interface, adjusting configured bandwidths of P PWs; and separately sending values of adjusted configured bandwidths of the P PWs to the remote modules separately connected to the P PWs.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system performing a method that includes a processor(s) of a local/private computing system (LPCS) receiving, via a public computing system and a communication network, on behalf of a user of the public computer system, a request to use computing resource(s) belonging to the LPCS. The processor(s) determine a set of usage parameters comprising a first usage limitation, with the first usage limitation including a first limitation type and first limitation value, and with the first usage limitation defining a limit on usage of the computing resource(s) on behalf of the user. The processor(s) receives, via the public computing system and the communication network, a workload of the user. The processor(s) processes the workload, which includes the processor limiting, by machine logic, usage of the resources(s), on behalf of the user, in accordance with the usage parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relate to a bus network having a safety gate of a substantial safety isolation type. The bus network comprises a first region, a second region, and signal isolators. The first region has disposed therein a first bus and has distributed therein one or more first processing devices, one or more first transceivers, one or more first controllers, and one or more gateways. The second region has disposed therein a second bus and has distributed therein one or more second processing devices and one or more second transceivers. The signal isolators are disposed between the first region and the second region. An isolation device driving terminal and an output terminal on one side of the signal isolator are respectively connected to a transmitting terminal and a receiving terminal of a second controller.

Abstract: A method is implemented by a centralized control plane device for a software defined networking (SDN) network. The method performs joint inter-domain and intra-domain traffic engineering as a single optimization process with location varying objectives. The method includes generating a joint representation of interdomain and intradomain traffic demand with spatial differentiation where each domain can have individually defined optimization objectives. The method further includes determining a set of candidate paths for each source-destination pairs (SD) in the SDN network using the joint representation, selecting a candidate path from the set of candidate paths for each SD pair in the SDN network, and programming a set of switches in the data plane of the SDN network to forward the data traffic according to the selected candidate path.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a packet processor and a device management module. During operation, the packet processor constructs a notification message containing a Transparent Interconnection of Lots of Links (TRILL) Routing Bridge (RBridge) identifier associated with a Fiber Channel router. The device management module operates in conjunction with the packet processor and terminates TRILL forwarding for a received TRILL packet with the RBridge identifier as an egress RBridge identifier.

Abstract: A network switch including a set of communication ports is provided. The communication ports may have an allocated prebuffer to store data during packet switching operations. The network switch may further include a calendar associated with the set of communication ports that provides bandwidth configuration for the set of communication ports. The network switch may further include a secondary calendar that may be dynamically setup. The secondary calendar may provide an alternative bandwidth configuration strategy for the set of communication ports. The switch includes circuitry that may increase the prebuffer size and upon the successful increase of the prebuffer size reconfigure the set of communication ports from the original calendar to the secondary calendar, without a reboot. The circuitry may reset the prebuffer size after reconfiguration is complete and the switch may continue operation according to the reconfigured settings.

Abstract: A wireless station (STA) of a wireless network transmits parallel data streams. The STA maintains transmission profiles, each corresponding to a respective data stream of parallel data streams. A transmission profile contains a set of rules or parameters, which are used for determining various characteristics in relation to transmission of packets in the corresponding data stream. The STA queues packets of each data stream in a corresponding queue. The STA selects a packet from a queue, and determines a transmission rate for the selected packet according to a transmission profile of the queue. The STA transmits the packet at the determined transmission rate. In an embodiment, the wireless network corresponds to an IEEE 802.11 network.

Abstract: Disclosed example methods for network switch control include accessing link characteristics for a plurality of network switches. The disclosed example methods also include comparing the link characteristics for the plurality of network switches with resource characteristics associated with a data processing function to determine a first one of the network switches on which to execute the data processing function. The disclosed example methods also include scheduling data processing function to be executed by the first one of the network switches.

Abstract: An instant text message conductor is provided. A server device receives an instant text message from a user entity. The instant text message is addressed to a conductor entity. It is determined that a previous instant text message from the user entity was sent to a first potential responder entity. The instant text message is sent to the first potential responder entity. The server device determines that no response to the instant text message will be received from the first potential responder entity within a first period of time. A second potential responder entity is selected from a predetermined set of potential responder entities. The previous instant text message, a first response instant text message sent by the first potential responder entity in response to the previous instant text message, and the current instant text message are sent to the second potential responder entity.

Abstract: Providing supplemental contact information for an individual referenced in an electronic message typically includes receiving an electronic message, examining the electronic message, detecting an identifier for a referenced individual contained in the electronic message, and making supplemental contact information for the referenced individual available to a recipient of the electronic message. The supplemental contact information may include information that is in addition to information contained in the electronic message. The supplemental contact information may include at least one of an e-mail address, a screen name, a telephone number, a facsimile number, and a mailing address each of which is associated with the referenced individual.

Abstract: Users desiring to associate a media object with an existing web browser session are provided with an out-of-band communication path by which to effect the association. When the media object is received at a web server involved in the session, the server creates a model of the item depicted in the media object and associates the model with the session. A projection of the resulting model is then made available for viewing (and, in some instances, manipulation) by the user during the web browser session.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided that determine required communications features to be used in a communication session and provide participants of the communication session with an identification of the required communications features. When a communication device used by the participant does not include one of the required communications features, the user is provided access to those features, based on compatibility. When a communication device is found to be compatible, the communication device accesses the features by running communications applications having the required communications features.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a non-revealing do-not-contact list system in which a do-not-contact list of one-way hashed consumer contact information is provided to a set of one or more entities. The set of entities determine whether certain consumers wish to be contacted with the do-not-contact list without discovering actual consumer contact information.

Abstract: A device is configured to report spam on demand. The spam is reported to a spam reporting service center in a communications network. As content is received by the device, the user of the device analyzes the content to determine if the content comprises spam. If the user determines that the content comprises spam, the user triggers the device to report the spam. The content can be of any type of content or combinations of content type, such as SMS, SMS, VM, email, VVM, VVM, and advertisements. The device comprises multiple clients configured to processes, respectively, each content type. In response to receiving the trigger, the appropriate client encapsulates the content. The encapsulated content is sent to a Report Spam client to generate a spam report. The spam report includes the encapsulated content and a disposition instruction.

Abstract: Embodiments of a content delivery system are disclosed herein. In particular, an embodiment of a content delivery system may receive content associated with a first destination identifier associated with a first delivery method, determine a second destination identifier and a second delivery method associated with the first delivery destination, and deliver the content to the second destination identifier according to the second delivery method.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus directed to utilizing an automated messaging system to engage in a dialog with at least one user, via a computing device of the user, to determine a particular service entity for an action. In some implementations, the automated messaging system may generate a plurality of questions and/or other prompts to solicit user interface input from the user(s) for use in determining the particular service entity and/or in determining one or more criteria for the action. Some implementations are further directed to performing one or more computing actions based on the determined service entity and optionally based on one or more criteria for the action determined via user interface input of the dialog.