Abstract: Disclosed herein is a network hard disk copy system for managing multiple clients. The system includes a main PC and sub PCs. The main PC generates a check parity signal, transmits it to sub PCs, receives response messages from the sub PCs, checks arrival times of the response messages, determines sub PCs which sent the response messages within a reference time to be those of a first group, copies data to the sub PCs of the first group, divides sub PCs which could not send the response messages within the reference time into groups, classifies sub PCs having faster response message arrival times as sub PCs of a higher group, generates and transmits global group information to sub PCs, and transmits group information output signals. The sub PCs extract their own group information from the global group information, and generate and output background images including the group information.

Abstract: The flow of information to or from an application on a host machine is regulated by a trusted agent operating in conjunction with at least one security element, such as a firewall or a policy server. When a communication to or from the application is detected by the trusted agent, the trusted agent gathers information about the attempted communication, and formulates and sends a message based upon the gathered information to at least one security element. The security element makes a decision to permit or block at least part of the attempted communication based upon the message received from the trusted agent.

Abstract: A handle administration system is described in which software agents receive handles to various resources that they can use to obtain the resources. The described embodiments provide multiple states that can be assumed by the handles. An unassigned state is provided in which handles are not assigned to a particular resource, nor can they be dereferenced to obtain pointers to any resources. An assigned state is provided in which handles are assigned to a particular resource and can be dereferenced to obtain a pointer to the resource. A suspended state is provided in which the handles are assigned to a particular resource but cannot be dereferenced to obtain a pointer to that resource.

Abstract: A method and system enables policy-based traffic forwarding in a data network by implementing policy-based control over propagation of LSA messages through the data network. A route tag is asserted in respect of a link state advertisement (LSA) message advertising a network address. Propagation of the LSA through the data network is controlled using the asserted internal route tag. At each hop, a policy decision affecting the forwarding of the LSA is made. Exemplary policy decisions include, Pass and Discard. In addition, the forwarding table may be updated using the route and address information contained in the LSA. In this case, routes entered in the forwarding table may be tagged as an inclusion route or an exclusion route. This may be based on the value of an exclusion route flag, which can, for example, be provided as a binary “0” or “1” inserted into an unused portion of the options field of the LSA.

Abstract: A determining unit determines whether a second bit string that forms an Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) address is included in a first bit string that forms an address for Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) connection, and further determines whether the address for IPv6 connection is an extended address extended to an address length of an IPv6 address by adding a prior determined bit to the IPv4 address, when the second bit string is determined to be included in the first bit string. A changing unit changes a priority of the address for IPv6 connection that is determined as the extended IPv6 address. A selecting unit selects preferentially a high level address for IPv6 connection during establishing connection with an external communication apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for processing a bus protocol packet in order to provide accelerator support. A component receives a bus protocol packet having a requester identifier. The component looks up an agent routing field. The component routes the bus protocol packet to an accelerator agent based on the agent routing field. It processes the bus protocol packet at the accelerator agent based on the agent routing field.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for collaborating on an electronic document. According to the method, a data structure may be maintained at each of the computer systems participating in the collaborative session that represents the contents of a shared document. When user input is received at one of the computer systems modifying the document, the data structure is updated to reflect the modification. In response to the modification, the changes to the data structure are periodically identified and collected as a revision that identifies only the changes made to the data structure as a result of the edits made since the previous revision was taken. The revision is packaged and transmitted to each of the participants in the sharing session. The revisions are merged into the copy of the data structure stored at the participating computer systems.

Abstract: Disclosed methods of achieving load balancing among a plurality of border elements in a next generation networks (NGN) communication network include a method for processing and user endpoint originated messages (UEOM), such as a register or invite message, generated by a user endpoint. A work load information data structure indicative of a first border element's work load and a second border element's work load is maintained when the border elements exchange work load information. Based on the work load information, a first border element responds to a UEOM by either (1) accepting the UEOM for first border element processing, (2) determining whether to accept the UEOM for first border element processing or redirect the UEOM to a second border element for second border element processing, or (3) rejecting the UEOM.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a plurality of payloads such as ads in response to a plurality of requests. The system comprises a data structure defining a target profile for each ad which target profile specifies characteristics of a request to which the ad may be provided in response and an ad server for delivering one or more of the plurality of payloads in response to a request from a target. The number of times each payload is delivered to a target is tracked. A payload priority is assigned for each of the payloads as a function of a delivery goal of the payload and as a function of the number of times the payload has been delivered to a target. A particular request is received from a particular target having particular characteristics. A particular payload is selected for delivery to the particular target as a function of the particular characteristics and as a function of the payload priorities.

Abstract: A display is capable of displaying images in response to signals of a plurality of signal formats. The display includes a controller that is coupled to a plurality of image data interfaces. When the plurality of image data interfaces are simultaneously operating, the controller selects one of the plurality of image data interfaces according to preference variables associated with each of the plurality of image data interfaces. Each of the preference variables may indicate a relative priority of an image data signal format associated with the corresponding image data interface. In addition, each of the preference variables may indicate one or more performance metrics associated with the quality of image data signals received from the corresponding image data interface.

Abstract: A computer system includes a host processor and a peripheral device coupled by an attachment bus. The peripheral device transfers data to the host processor over the attachment bus using at least two types of data transfers. The peripheral device includes a classifying circuit that separates the data into a first class associated with a first type of transfer and a second class associated with a second type of transfer. The peripheral circuit also includes two queues, including a first queue that receives the first class of data from the classifying circuit and a second queue that receives the second class of data from the classifying circuit. A control circuit places data from the first queue onto the bus at a higher priority than data from the second queue is placed onto the bus.

Abstract: A method, computer program product or computer system for selecting a target data server from a plurality of data servers in an information system to service a request of a client with a data quality requirement, includes determining a formalized data quality of the client using the data quality requirement, using the formalized data quality of the client and finding a cluster of data servers from the plurality of data servers that can meet the data quality requirement of the client, choosing a select data server from the cluster of data servers, verifying if the select data server can still meet the data quality requirement of the client, and if so, selecting the select data server as the target data server for processing the request, and if not, selecting another data server as the target data server for processing the request.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for dynamic network link selection for transmitting a message between nodes of a parallel computer. The nodes are connected using a data communications network. Each node connects to adjacent nodes in the data communications network through a plurality of network links. Each link provides a different data communication path through the network between the nodes of the parallel computer. Such dynamic link selection includes: identifying, by an origin node, a current message for transmission to a target node; determining, by the origin node, whether transmissions of previous messages to the target node have completed; selecting, by the origin node from the plurality of links for the origin node, a link in dependence upon the determination and link characteristics for the plurality of links for the origin node; and transmitting, by the origin node, the current message to the target node using the selected link.

Abstract: A hash engine in a network device driver maintains data on the utilization and error rate for each network interface card (“NIC”) within a local computing device. From this data, the hash engine intelligently selects transmit NICs and receive NICs based on various networking parameters provided from a software driver program. Transmit packets sent from the operating system in a local computing device to a remote computing device are intercepted, modified and redirected to transmit NICs selected by the hash engine for transmission to remote computing devices. Similarly, address resolution protocol (“ARP”) response packets sent by the operating system in response to ARP request packets are intercepted, modified and redirected to receive NICs selected by the hash engine for transmission.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and identifying types of Virtual Private Networks is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of representing the network by a model containing a plurality of object classes, evaluating an import/export relationship of a first one and a second one of the object classes and identifying the network type based on the evaluated relationship.

Abstract: A virtual computer system, including one or more virtual machines (VMs), is connected to a redundant data storage system having multiple paths for routing data between the computer system and the data storage system. The VMs are supported by a kernel, which includes a resource manager for allocating system resources among the VMs, including data storage space and data storage bandwidth. A storage path manager (SPM) is integrated into the kernel for routing data between the computer system and the data storage system, including providing functions such as failovers and failbacks, as well as load distribution. Integrating the SPM into the kernel improves the kernel's ability to manage the VMs and to provide SAN resources to the VMs. For example, the SPM may enhance the isolation between multiple VMs by routing their respective data over different data paths. Also, the SPM may improve the allocation of system resources by coordinating with the resource manager.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for balancing I/O among available paths connected to a device. The mechanism partitions paths so a device can use all or only a subset of available paths to a device, depending on the load of I/O for other devices that are sharing the paths. The partitioning of paths is dynamic, readjusting as I/O loads change for the devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operation upon one or more data processors for efficiently processing communications based upon reputation of an entity associated with the communication.

Abstract: To determine a network route corresponding to user needs, costs are dynamically defined for each link of a network. Specifically, based on link characteristics, routing factors are defined and for each factor, allowable values are defined. When determining a route, one or more routing factors and one or more allowable values for each factor are selected. Based on user prioritization of these factors and prioritization of the allowable values for each factor, weights are assigned to the factors and costs are assigned to the values. Link costs are determined by comparing a given link to each selected factor and determining for each factor which allowable value matches the link's characteristics. The cost of each matching value is then weighted by its corresponding factor. The weighted costs are summed to determine a link cost. The link costs are subsequently used to determine a route through the network.

Abstract: A method for resource bundling comprises receiving at a network policer (110) a plurality of data flows having different class of service (CoS) priority levels and processing the data flows while sharing a user allocated bandwidth between the different CoS priority levels in a prioritized manner. The method and a system implementing it allow a single user to aggregate multiple CoS, thereby enabling the user to utilize an entire paid-for bandwidth.

Abstract: A communicating system suitable for a repeater and communicating method thereof are described. The communicating system comprises a receiving unit, a delay module, a transmitting unit and a control unit. The receiving unit transmits a first signal based on a KB/MS input signal. The delay module is coupled to the receiving unit and delays the first signal from the receiving unit in order to generate a second signal. The second signal has a first phase difference in comparison with the first signal. The transmitting unit is coupled to the delay module and the control unit. The transmitting unit transmits a KB/MS output signal based on the second signal while the control unit controls the transmitting unit via a control signal.

Abstract: A system and method for concentration and load-balancing of requests in a distributed computing environment. In accordance with an embodiment, a system and a method for reducing the number of connections in an Internet environment using one or a plurality of connection handlers which handle the connection from the client to the server, and a listener which determines which connection handler to use to handle the connection. Whereas prior solutions required a (n×m) number of connections to handle requests, the invention allows there to be only m connections which significantly reduces resource requirements and allows scalability.

Abstract: An encrypted packet processing device capable of realizing a predetermined classification process according to a data type while reducing the burden on a processing device in a communication environment in which encrypted packets of different data types exist. A block specifying section specifies a location, in which information necessary for a priority level determination process by a priority level determination section is stored, in an encrypted packet. A specified block decryption section decrypts only a block specified by the block specifying section, and extracts the information necessary for the priority level determination process. The priority level determination section searches a priority level information database using the information extracted by the specified block decryption section as a key, and determines a priority level of the packet.

Abstract: A security agent extends the trust barrier, or trust point, from network gateway nodes to end user devices. A security agent operable to scrutinize network traffic executes on the user device and compares QoS marking attempts with the established QoS marking policy in effect. The security agent examines network traffic attributes deterministic of connection attempts by user processes. Attempts to apply inappropriate or disallowed QoS markings, as dictated by the QoS marking policy, are detected and disallowed. Therefore, only user connections consistent with the QoS marking policy are permitted into the network. Network admission control (NAC) mechanisms ensure that the security agent is the only access point from the user device to the secure network, and the security agent communicates the establishment of the trusted access point to the network gateway, thus ensuring that the network gateway may trust service level designations emanating from the user device executing the security agent.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are provided for selecting, from a plurality of routes through the data processing system, an indirect route for transmitting data. Data that includes address information is received at a first processor that is to be transmitted to a destination processor. Using routing table data structures, indirect route entries are identified that correspond to indirect routes for transmitting data. An accessed priority table data structure comprises a priority entry for each entry in the routing table data structures. The priority entry specifies a priority of a corresponding entry in the routing table data structures. An indirect route entry is selected that corresponds to an indirect route from the routing table data structures, based on specified priorities. Then the data is transmitted from the first processor to the destination processor using a path corresponding to the selected indirect route entry.

Abstract: Methods and systems for QoS based Web filtering are described. A network access control device either permits or denies access to a web site. The network access control device also contains a mapping table which maps filtering categories to differentiated services values. When a web request is received by the network access control device, a query is sent to a web filtering server. The web filtering server returns a filtering category to the network access control device. The filtering category is mapped to a corresponding differentiated services value. The network access control device grants access privileges to the web request based on the differentiated services value.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are provided for selecting, from a plurality of routes through the data processing system, a direct route for transmitting data. Data that includes address information is received at a first processor that is to be transmitted to a destination processor. Using routing table data structures, direct route entries are identified that correspond to direct routes for transmitting data. An accessed priority table data structure comprises a priority entry for each entry in the routing table data structures. The priority entry specifies a priority of a corresponding entry in the routing table data structures. A direct route entry is selected that corresponds to a direct route from the routing table data structures, based on specified priorities. Then the data is transmitted from the first processor to the destination processor using a path corresponding to the selected direct route entry.

Abstract: Methods for prioritizing load management messages on IP-based networks utilizing an Active Load Directory and IP capable two-way gateway. The messages being received from, or sent to, the ISP through the gateway contain a blend of regulated and unregulated data. The regulated data is high-priority utility load management data such as, equipment status and load control instructions. The unregulated data consists of Internet messages such as email and web site data. These methods process all regulatory data before unregulated data within strict time limits, providing the greatest possible load management control and energy savings. The methods emulate dedicated network processor memory in a manner that permits the rules for prioritizing, scheduling, and routing to remain the same across both hardware and software implementations.

Abstract: A system for executing a multimedia resource, for use in an environment having a first multimedia resource comprising an associated first tag, a set of multimedia resources comprising an associated set of tags, an executing component for executing the first multimedia resource. The system comprises a comparator, responsive to the first multimedia resource being executed, for comparing a second tag of the set of tags with the first tag, to determine whether a second multimedia resource is compatible with the first multimedia resource; a determining component, responsive to the second resource being compatible with the first resource, for determining in accordance with at least one rule, whether the second multimedia resource has a higher priority than the first multimedia resource; and a control component, responsive to a determination that the second multimedia resource has the higher priority, for controlling the executing component to execute the second multimedia resource.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for mapping user conversations is presented. Communications and conversations between a user and people across multiple modes of communication are aggregated to provide an aggregated set of user data. The aggregated set of user data is filtered to provide filtered user data. Additionally, the filtered user data is mapped to determine at least one of social rank, relevance and attention for a user's social network.

Abstract: A method for environmental delivery network prioritizes groups of data for transmission based on a various factors such as synchronization requirements, endpoint configuration, and the fidelity of sensory stimuli reproduction. A device detects data missing from a group of data received from a server and replaces the missing data with replacement data based on a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be based on a default value specific to the sensory stimulus missing data, data received prior to the missing data, or data received prior to and after the missing data.

Abstract: A method of content-related processing of a data flow compares the data flow with a list of known data flows, and determines whether the data flow is recognized as a known data flow. When the data flow is recognized as a known data flow, the data flow is processed as specified in the list. When the data flow is not recognized as a known data flow, successively analyzing the data flow until a content type of the data flow is sufficiently recognized in order to decide how to process the data flow.

Abstract: A method, computer readable media, and apparatus of hierarchical-based communication session and data distribution management that indexes client's communication preferences and network attribute information. Indexing is used to generate dynamic group membership lists that map into communication groups. Indexing is replicated at control nodes in the network overlay to allow distributed management of group membership. Send/receive operations are decoupled through data distribution and the indexing structure. Senders and receivers register their group communication interests to a parent node in the hierarchy. The session control structure aggregates client interest and dynamically updates replicas at control nodes which are selected according to the changes in registered client interest. The indexing structure has self-managing properties for automatic clustering based on client session and data interests, and dynamic partitioning of the session/data interest attribute space.

Abstract: A list of nodes is segmented into one or more segments, each segment having a node limit and a segment criteria, attributes associated with a first node are identified, a determination is made whether to add the first node to a particular segment of the node list based on the node limit and the attributes of the first node, nodes are ranked nodes in the particular segment, and a determination is made whether to remove a candidate node from the particular segment based on the node limit.

Abstract: A data-packet processing method is used in a network system. The network system includes a buffer for optionally storing a data packet to be transferred, and the method includes steps of: determining a type of the data packet to be transferred; determining a storage state of a buffer where the data packet is to be temporarily stored before transferring; and storing the data packet into the buffer if the storage state of the buffer is a packet-accepting storage state; wherein the packet-accepting storage state of the buffer varies with the type of the data packet.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting an external user interface using spatial information is described. In one configuration the floor space of a mailroom is mapped using a two dimensional grid. At least one machine is located on the mapped grid and an associated control zone is defined for that particular machine. The machine includes a wireless transceiver for providing user interface access. An external portable processor with a wireless transceiver is provided with user interface logic for the machine. A user then moves the external portable processor into the control zone of the machine. An indoor positioning system is utilized to provide relative or absolute position information relating to the machine and the external processor. The system determines that the external processor is in the machine control zone and allows the external processor to function as a user interface for the machine.

Abstract: A management system accepts a connection request from a client computer to a server computer, acquires connection settings information, calculates a network bandwidth required for processing for connection from the client computer to the server computer, stores the connection request into a connection request processing queue, determines whether the processing for the connection from the client computer to the server computer can be performed or not, and notifies the client computer of a server identification number. The client computer issues a connection request to the server computer based on the received server identification number, and starts communication therewith. In spite of concentration of connection requests from a large number of client computers to server computers, the connection requests can be processed while controlling the communication data volume generated in a network at a point where the server computers are aggregated, so as to avoid occurrence of congestion.

Abstract: Radio communication network software downloading methods wherein terminal unique information pertaining to the downloading transaction is communicated on corresponding dedicated communication channels, for example, download initiation (300), capability exchange (320), digital signature (332) and activation and billing (360) communications, among others. Software content, or data, is transmitted (334) from the network to the plurality of terminals on a shared communication channel. In some applications, the software content includes multiple files multiplexed on the shared communication channel, wherein the content may be adjusted dynamically to optimize spectral efficiency.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing the contact information of a group of users of a telephony system between the group of users over a communications network is provided. Each user of the group of users has a user terminal connected to the communications network and executes a client, the client comprising a contact information list. A first user belonging to the group of users selects the contact information of other users in the group from the contact information list and chooses to synchronize the contact information. An invitation message is transmitted from the client executed on the user terminal of the first user to the client executed on the user terminal of each of the other users in the group, the invitation message including an invitee list of users belonging to the group. The invitation message is received at the client of each of the other users in the group.

Abstract: A subscriber bandwidth management process and device that allows users/subscribers in a communications network to dynamically alter bandwidth limits independently in both the uplink and downlink data transmission paths. This is accomplished by providing for a single queue in the uplink transmission path and a single queue in the downlink transmission path. Thus, the user/subscriber can efficiently manage their network access according to the specific activity on the network. The network manager benefits from being able structure bandwidth allocation on a per subscriber basis so that overall data transmission is made more efficient. In addition, the bandwidth manager provides active management of the delivery of data (also known as and referred to herein as traffic shaping) to increase throughput from a gateway device onto the network.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system of load balancing in a group of one or more servers connected to one or more subnetworks. Two or more independent servers are bound into a group, with one of the servers elected to serve as a leader. The leader acts as a load balancer for the group while the remaining servers act as slaves. This functionality eliminates the need for one or more dedicated load balancing devices and lowers the hardware requirements necessary for performing such load balancing.

Abstract: Routing in a peer-to-peer network is described. In an implementation, a method includes receiving at one of a plurality of nodes in a peer-to-peer network, an indication of a change in membership in the peer-to-peer network by another node in the peer-to-peer network. A report is broadcast that describes the change. The report is for receipt by each node referenced in a routing table included in the one node.

Abstract: For routing information in a network across firewalls, virtual sessions between two remote nodes are implemented by means of multiple point-to-point sessions between pairs of adjacent nodes connected through a tunnel crossing the corresponding firewall. Each node stores a routing table that is used to pass the information to be provided to a desired target node to the correct adjacent node. A peer-to-peer communication scheme is supported for allowing each pair of nodes to exchange information. For this purpose, a specific algorithm is proposed for propagating the routing information dynamically among the nodes of the network, with rules that prevent the generation of any propagation cycle.

Abstract: A multi-layered network for transporting data comprises a first network layer that provides a first session topology, and a second network layer that provides a second session topology. The second network layer uses the first network layer to transport data. In one embodiment of the invention, the data sent by the second layer is real-time audio data, such as voice. Each session topology may be either peer-to-peer or client/server. The first and second layers may have different topologies and/or different session hosts. A deterministic algorithm is provided whereby a new session host is selected when the current host leaves the session.

Abstract: An information object repository is configured to resolve a network layer anycast address to a network layer unicast address in response to a request for an information object at the network layer anycast address. The information object repository may be further configured to resolve the network layer anycast address by transmitting a request for the network layer unicast address and awaiting a response thereto, and, in some cases, to return a failure message to a source of the request for the information object if the response to the request for the network layer unicast address is not received within a timeout period. Preferably, the request for the network layer unicast address is a single IP packet that includes the network layer anycast address. Similarly, the request for the network layer unicast address is preferably a single IP packet that includes the network layer unicast address.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for selecting at which processing unit of a plurality of processing units positioned at a data center that a processing task is to be performed. Temperature sensors are positioned throughout the data center and associated with the individual ones of the processing units. Indications of sensed temperature levels are collected and monitored by a collector and monitor. The indications of the sensed temperatures are used both pursuant to cooling operations, controlled by a cooling controller, and pursuant to processing-task placement, determined by a workload placement controller.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved address management scheme in a mobile router (MR) that connects a mobile network into the Internet via an access network. The MR performs neighbor advertisement on behalf of mobile network nodes (MNNs) within the mobile network so that packets directed towards the MNNs are routed correctly to the MR, and then to the corresponding MNN, while maintaining standard address management procedures, such as IPv6 address management procedures, in the access network and in the mobile network.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a more capable device (MCD) in a computer network may determine one or more a critical destinations (CDs), and may transmit an unsolicited reactive routing route request (RREQ) message to each CD. The MCD may then receive a route reply (RREP) message from the CDs having a route from the MCD to the CD, and may store the route at the MCD. Subsequently, the MCD may transmit a RREP message of its own to one or more less capable devices (LCDs) to provide the route from each respective LCD to the CD via the MCD.

Abstract: An enhanced virtual router redundancy protocol for manipulating master router selection within a network is disclosed. The use of a priority control policy and priority values take into account conditions and events that may distinguish the desirability of one router over another. Explicit priority values may be specified to indicate the explicit priority of a particular router instance. Delta priority values may also be used to decrement or increment a base priority for a particular router instance. By using priority control policies and priority values to select a master, improved control, management, and manipulation of virtual router instances over a particular IP core network interface are enabled.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for distributing datagrams over telecommunications networks. According to many of these methods, datagrams are multicast or broadcast to one or more nodes or Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) on the networks. Also provided are systems for distributing datagrams over the networks according to these methods. According to some of these systems, reductions are provided in the amounts of memory used to multicast and/or broadcast datagrams.