Abstract: In a network performance system involving a plurality of performance apparatuses, each performance apparatus stores phrase performance information of a plurality of performance parts, and each performance apparatus is allocated with one of the performance parts to conduct an ensemble performance composed of the plurality of the performance parts. A server apparatus is connected to each of the performance apparatuses via a network. Each of the performance apparatuses is manually operable to input operational information relating to the performance part allocated thereto, and transmits the inputted operational information to the server apparatus via the network. The server apparatus delivers the operational information transmitted by each of the performance apparatuses to other of the performance apparatuses via the network.

Abstract: A relay apparatus is connected to a host computer through a network and transmits data received from the host computer to a device. A first basic unit and a second basic unit are provided for the relay apparatus. A common network address is set into the first and second basic units. The relay apparatus performs a relay control between the host computer and the device. A common unit makes one of the first and second basic units operative as a present system and monitors its status. When an abnormality is detected during the monitoring operation, the relay apparatus stops the basic unit of the present system and switches it to the operation of the basic unit of a standby system.

Abstract: When an image is transmitted to a service server from a client computer, an image to be transmitted is selected from a list of images on a display by starting image display programs. Subsequently, a destination service server is selected. The service content of the service server is inquired, and image information is obtained, which is limited by the service server and includes an image size. For example, when an image size of the selected image to be transmitted is larger than the maximum image size limited by the service server, the selected image is subjected to image processing so as to be smaller in size, and then, the image is transmitted to the service server. Thus, even when an image to be uploaded to a service server has an image specification unsuitable for image service of the service server, the image can be automatically transmitted to the service server.

Abstract: A scalable messaging system for data transmission between the network devices, such as set top boxes, and a central system server, such as a server which maintains a database of event logs for the network. Individual routers at the data center broadcast an announcement packet indicating that they are available to accept messages from the network devices. The announcement message contains at least an identification of the router and the manner in which messages may be sent to it, e.g., one or more connection socket numbers and/or network addresses. The frequency at which availability messages are sent by the routers is preferably dependent upon the relatively loading of the individual router. Thus, the more heavily loaded a particular router becomes, the less often it will broadcast an availability message; the more lightly loaded it becomes, the more often such messages are broadcast.

Abstract: An automated communications system operates to transfer data, metadata and methods from a provider computer to a consumer computer through a communications network. The transferred information controls the communications relationship, including responses by the consumer computer, updating of information, and processes for future communications. Information which changes in the provider computer is automatically updated in the consumer computer through the communications system in order to maintain continuity of the relationship. Transfer of metadata and methods permits intelligent processing of information by the consumer computer and combined control by the provider and consumer of the types and content of information subsequently transferred. Object oriented processing is used for storage and transfer of information. The use of metadata and methods further allows for automating may of the actions underlying the communications, including communication acknowledgements and archiving of information.

Abstract: Methods, configured storage media, and systems are provided for resolving domain names into IP addresses in a path-sensitive manner, namely, a manner that may consider information about a link to a server and/or information about routers and other path components. The IP addresses given in response to domain name resolution requests are selected to provide increased reliability and/or dynamic load-balancing over paths.

Abstract: A proximity-oriented redirection system for service-to-client attachment in a virtual overlay distribution network. The virtual overlay distribution network includes addressable routers for routing packet traffic, wherein a packet of data is routed from a source node to a destination node based on address fields of the packet. The invention includes a redirector coupled to at least one of the addressable routers and includes: logic for accepting a service request from a client; logic for determining a selected server for handling the service request, the selected server being one of a plurality of servers that can handle the service request; and logic for generating a redirection message directed to the client for redirecting the service request to the selected server.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for selecting nodes while configuring a parallel processing system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of multicasting a request from a coordinator node to the non-coordinator node to transmit a list of nodes reachable by the non-coordinator node; receiving the list of nodes reachable by the non-coordinator node in the coordinator node; generating a global view of the nodes reachable by the non-coordinator node; generating a node list having member nodes belonging to the configured parallel processing system according to a first criteria; and transmitting the parallel processing node list to the member nodes. The apparatus comprises a means for performing the steps described above, and the article of manufacture comprises a program storage device tangibly embodying computer instructions for performing the above method steps.

Abstract: A terminal (1, 2) connected to the public telephone network PSTN has access to the Internet-connecting node by dialling a service number. In the access node the server gives the terminal a temporary IP-address and sets up the connection to the area network (15) or to the worldwide Internet (11) offering chargeable services. In order to bind the A-number and the IP-address to each other and thus bill the user for the chargeable services the procedure is as follows: when setting up the connection to the service number, the telephone exchange (4), containing the intelligent network switching functions, informs the intelligent network Service Control Point (SCP) (14) of both the user's (1 or 2 ) A-number and the device location identification (C′) of the telephone exchange (4) from which the connection has been setup to the router (6) entry point in the access node.

Abstract: A control system which is capable of selectively using any of a plurality of communication devices. When an operator selects a desired communication device from a plurality of communication devices, state information concerning each of the communication devices is rewritten so as to render only the selected communication device usable. The control system uses properties of the OS to temporarily stop all the communication devices, and thereafter controls only the selected communication device usable in accordance with the changed state information.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing a computer network includes the step of providing respective router configuration information in executable form; producing respective Structured Router Objects (SROs) that are respectively associated with respective router configuration information and that respectively organize associated information in executable form in respective structures in electronic memory; and producing respective Single Protocol Topology (SPT) objects in electronic memory, each respectively associated with a different respective single protocol and each respectively interrelating SROs associated with the same respective single protocol.

Abstract: A schema that facilitates the centralized management and deployment of applications, components and services across a computer network. Centralized class stores are provided under policies associated with a directory container such as a site, domain or organizational unit. Class stores include definition, state and location information for applications and components, such that applications and components are centrally available as needed. For example, via the class store, updates to components or applications for users under an organizational unit are performed once in a centralized location, whereby users or machines may automatically obtain new versions of applications as they become available, or software implementations as needed from a centralized repository. Class stores may be configured to contain packages of component and application information according to functional areas, level of security access, or other criteria as determined by an administrator. Component categories (e.g.

Abstract: Multiple simultaneous network connections from a single PPP connection may be accomplished. A primary PPP connection is established between a user and a first network. A first real network address for the user is then received, the first real network address assigned by the first network. Then, the gateway may establish a secondary network session between a gateway and a second network, receiving a second real network address assigned by the second network. Additional network connections may be added as secondary network sessions. Network address translation is then performed on packets traveling between the user and any of the secondary network sessions, but not on packets traveling between the user and the primary PPP connection. This allows for connection to multiple networks without disturbing the primary PPP session and also allows for the utilization of applications which may not be used with network address translation on the primary PPP session.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a computer system with a system management controller is described. The system management controller monitors the status of various system components to determine whether the respective system components are operating within respective predetermined operating ranges. The system management controller is capable of taking corrective action. In one embodiment, a system management controller runs a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) stack independent of the system and reports problems to a network server or other remote device. In one embodiment, the system management controller obtains a Media Access Controller (MAC) address and communicates operating faults to the remote device. In an alternative embodiment, the system management controller communicates system component faults to a remote device via a modem or other device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for configuring cross-connections of a radio system, and to a radio system implementing the method. The radio system comprises network elements and a network management system managing the network elements. The network elements are operatively interconnected by means of a transmission network realized by transmission circuits. Information between the network elements is transmitted in frames that are divided into time slots. The radio system comprises at least one cross-connection unit between at least two network elements for realizing the cross-connections needed to establish the transmission circuits. The method comprises the following operations: uploading a transmission network topology of the radio system, and utilizing labeled transmission circuits in analyzing the fragmentation of the cross-connections, and optimizing the capacity by reconfiguring the cross-connections when fragmentation of the capacity exceeds an agreed percentage of the total capacity of a circuit.

Abstract: A method whereby application and network services (such as access control and electronic mailing list servers) can use a directory service to define groups of directory members using a directory search specification evaluated at service delivery time (dynamic group membership.) Traditionally, network services have been delivered to groups of users defined in relatively narrow manners: either by keeping a list of all users who are members of the group, or by attaching specific group membership attribute information to the information maintained about each specific user. Dynamic group membership allows these services to be delivered to groups of users who can be defined by a completely arbitrary specification of user attribute information. For example, electronic mail can be sent to a group of users whose office was located in a certain building (specifically, whose office location attribute matched a specific value.

Abstract: An intermediary node on a data communications network implements a flow control algorithm to control network congestion. The intermediary node receives messages destined for servers or other upstream nodes from clients or other downstream nodes and determines whether to forward the messages based on the flow control algorithm, which may be adaptive. The algorithm may consider explicit back-off messages received from upstream nodes, failure of upstream nodes to respond to messages forwarded by the intermediary node, and/or other criteria. When a back-off condition applies, the intermediary node refrains from forwarding messages it receives and sends back-off messages to nodes initiating the messages. Back-off messages may include a back-of time period and/or other back-off criteria.

Abstract: An Internet router treats plural output ports with a common destination as a composite port. A routing table uses the IP address to determine a composite trunk to which the packet is to be forwarded. A forwarding table identifies a route along a routing fabric within the router to a specific output port of the composite port. Output ports and fabric routes are selected to maintain order within a flow by routing the flow along a single fabric route to a single output trunk. The forwarding table may favor output ports which are nearest to a packet input port, and the forwarding table may be modified to dynamically balance load across the trunks of a composite trunk.

Abstract: A method and system provides collaborative caching of transformed Web objects in a proxy network. The proxies collaboratively provide a set of object transformations by partitioning the different types of object transformations, and caching the transformed Web objects among proxies in order to reduce duplicate object transformation and caching effort. The transformations may include language translations, currency conversions, units of measure conversions, shipping cost calculations and sales taxes calculations. Other transformations are also possible.

Abstract: In a data communication network, a system for protecting parts of the network. The system comprises a plurality of user nodes linked together within the network. Each user node comprises means for transmitting list indicating to other nodes in the network the identification of allowed senders and receivers; and two or more security nodes within the network; each security node detects transmission and relays each signal only to the recipients specified in the list.

Abstract: In a data communication network, a system for protecting parts of the network. The system comprises a plurality of user nodes linked together within the network. Each user node comprises means for transmitting list indicating to other nodes in the network the identification of allowed senders and receivers; and two or more security nodes within the network; each security node detects transmission and relays each signal only to the recipients specified in the list.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a computer system with a system management controller is described. The system management controller monitors the status of various system components to determine whether the respective system components are operating within respective predetermined operating ranges. The system management controller is capable of taking corrective action. In one embodiment, a system management controller runs a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) stack independent of the system and reports problems to a network server or other remote device. In one embodiment, the system management controller obtains a Media Access Controller (MAC) address and communicates operating faults to the remote device. In an alternative embodiment, the system management controller communicates system component faults to a remote device via a modem or other device.

Abstract: In a publish/subscribe data processing broker network having a plurality of broker data processing apparatuses each of which has an input for receiving published messages directly from a publisher application and/or receiving subscription data from a subscriber application, a first broker data processing apparatus has: a unit for receiving a data message published on a first topic by a first publisher application; and a unit for forwarding the received published data message to a subscriber application which has requested, by entering subscription data, to receive a message on the first topic; wherein the first broker data processing apparatus sends a declaration to at least one other broker data processing apparatus of said plurality of broker data processing apparatuses declaring that the first broker data processing apparatus is the only broker data processing apparatus that is directly communicating with a publisher application that is publishing on the first topic.

Abstract: A real-time method for routing subject to an acceptable delay constraint between nodes in high-speed data networks, such as PNNI protocol networks, uses an illustrative two-phase algorithm employing Dijkstra's algorithm at each phase. In an illustrative first phase, the Dijkstra SPF algorithm is used in seeking the shortest cumulative delay from the destination to the source, thereby generating cumulative delay labels from a node j to the destination node k. The delay results are then employed in the second phase, where the Dijkstra SPF algorithm is illustratively employed for determining administrative weight (AW) as the link metric subject to modification in accordance with results obtained in the first phase.

Abstract: A policy server assigns an identifier to each of a plurality of policy rules in each of which condition and action are described and transmits these policy rules to a network node. When transmitting new policy rules to the network node as additional ones, the server detects policy rules that depend on a newly entered policy rule or on which a newly entered policy rule depends. As for the policy rules that depend on a new policy rule or on any of which a new policy rule depends, if the policy rule has not been transmitted to the network node, the identifier thereof and the condition and action described therein are transmitted to the network node; if the policy rule has been transmitted to said network node, the identifier thereof is transmitted to the network node, but the condition and action described therein are not transmitted.

Abstract: A data storage system comprising a plurality of storage nodes, each node existing at a physical location having one or more contexts. Interface mechanisms couple to each storage node to communicate storage access requests with the storage node. Data storage management processes select one or more of the storage nodes to serve a data storage request based at least in part upon the particular contexts of each of the storage nodes.

Abstract: An address look-up mechanism in a multi-port bridge for controlling use of a memory as a look-up table for appropriately filtering and directing packets. The look-up table includes learned look-up tables, permanent look-up tables and linked lists. As a data packet originating from a node (source node) is received by a corresponding one of the ports (source port) of the multi-port bridge, a look-up cycle and then a learning cycle are each performed. During the learning cycle, an identification of the source port for the packet is stored in the learned look-up tables in association with a hashed node address of the source node. Each existing entry is examined to ensure that the appropriate port identification is stored and to determine whether two or more nodes share a same hashed node address. If two nodes have the same hashed node address, then a linked entry in the linked lists is formed.

Abstract: The invention collection of mail content in digital form and delivers of the mail content in hardcopy form over a distribution system that pushes the processing of the physical mail to a location close to the recipient's geographical address. A sender composes a mail item in digital form and the invention then distributes the digital content through a three tier model. The first tier accepts the digital content from the sender, verifies the identity of the sender, and prepares the digital content for presentation to the next tier. The second tier is a management point on the transmission network that determines the closest available processing location based on the geographical address of the recipient. The third tier consists of two or more processing locations that accept the digital content from the earlier tier, processes the digital content into hardcopy form, and presents the hardcopy content to a physical delivery system such as a postal service or commercial courier.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method having the first step of receiving, on a routing manager port address, a set of accounting request packets from a network access server having a network access server port address. Then, parsing the accounting request packet to derive a command flag and forwarding the set of accounting request packets to an authentication server, having an authentication server port address, over the authentication server port address. The method includes the further step of generating a set of routing table modification commands for a network router based on the command flag. What is also disclosed is an apparatus having a network access server, an authentication server coupled to the network access server, and a routing manager coupled to the network access server and the authentication server. The network access server has a network access server port address, the authentication server has an authentication server port address, and the routing manager has a routing manager port address.

Abstract: A data communications network providing for a management of a router or the like in the network. Management of the router is accomplished though use of a logical view of a the router which view includes information on the router, protocols available on the router and interfaces available with the router. Further, commands to query routers for information and otherwise control routers in a data network are often cumbersome and difficult. Therefore, a improved method and apparatus is provided to allow such commands to be entered, by a network manager, into the router network management system and to be executed by selection of buttons on a menu. Still further, the disclosed router management system provides for true, at a glance, management of a router by allowing a single icon to be used to quickly review the status of the router and for the icon to be expanded into a full window to provide for further information on the status of the router.

Abstract: In a method of IP routing lookup in a routing table, comprising entries of arbitrary length prefixes with associated next-hop information in a next-hop table, to determine where IP datagrams are to be forwarded, a representation of the routing table is stored, in the form of a complete prefix tree (7), defined by the prefixes of all routing table entries. Further, a representation of a bit vector (8), comprising data of a cut through the prefix tree (7) at a current depth (D), and an array of pointers, comprising indices to the next-hop table and to a next-level chunk, are stored. The bit-vector (8) is divided into bit-masks and a representation of the bit-masks is stored in a maptable. Then, an array of code words, each encoding a row index into the maptable and a pointer offset, and an array of base addresses are stored. Finally, the lookup is performed.

Abstract: IP network address translation (NAT) and IP filtering with dynamic address resolution in an Internet gateway system. Symbolic interface names are recognized in selected rule statements. An symbolic s-rule file is generated from these rule statements which includes symbolic interface names. During processing of a packet message, the s-rule file corresponding to the interface name in the packet message is processed, with symbolic addresses in the s-rule file resolved to the IP addresses obtained from the packet message.

Abstract: A control is provided for the increasing number of Internet users who use networks to access Internet services. The control includes a service control point function as well as a domain name server function so that it is possible to request an Internet service and to select an optimum route to a server that contains the requested Internet service by the present control.

Abstract: In an electronic mail system, including a computer device and an arrival notification method, a user can confirm an arrival of electronic mail regardless of where he is and a drop in operating time of a portable information terminal device can be prevented. The computer device has a first communication unit for receiving and transmitting the electronic mail from/to other computer devices and detecting the arrival of electronic mail, a second communication unit for communicating with the portable information terminal device through a predetermined communication circuit, a memory wherein identification information of the portable information terminal device is stored, and a communication controller for informing the arrival of electronic mail to the portable information terminal device based on the identification information when the arrival of electronic mail is detected.

Abstract: An election protocol or method is described for use in Internet Telephony, in which a gatekeeper is elected to serve as an active gatekeeper. The group of gatekeepers elect one gatekeeper in a zone to act as a primary gatekeeper that responds to gatekeeper request messages by broadcasting active gatekeeper claim messages that contain a unique gatekeeper priority value for the gatekeeper. The gatekeepers compare the received gatekeeper priority value with their own gatekeeper priority value and either broadcast another active gatekeeper claim message (if they are higher ranked) or do not broadcast another active gatekeeper claim message (if they are lower ranked). This process sorts the gatekeepers into a hierarchy with the highest ranked gatekeeper designated to respond to gatekeeper request messages. The other gatekeepers stand by in an idle mode and do not respond to gatekeeper requests. The other gatekeepers are ranked in priority in accordance with a gatekeeper priority value assigned to each gatekeeper.

Abstract: A master-slave network control system and method of operation wherein the master node element has substantially absolute invasive control over functions and capabilities of slave node elements which are logged onto the network and wherein the master node element can exercise latent control over slave node elements when not logged on to the network by controlling reacceptance onto the network in order to promote selected pedagogical and like functions facilitated through networked communication between the master node elements and the slave node elements.

Abstract: Switching apparatus, for use in an ATM network for example, which includes a plurality of data units; cross-connect switching units, having a plurality of input ports and output ports, for providing data transfer paths, each path serving to pass data received at one of the input ports to one of the output port; and connection units connected to the input ports and to the data units, for delivering data from designated source data units to respective input ports and for delivering the data, after passage through one of the data transfer paths, from the output ports to respective designated destination data units. Two data units, which together constitute a data delivery group associated with an input port, are connected to each connection unit and the connection unit serves to deliver data from the two different data units of the data delivery group, at different respective times, to that associated input port. In such apparatus the number of input ports of the switching units is reduced.

Abstract: A communication network comprised of communication paths of server layers formed hierarchically by communication paths of client layers, wherein the state of control of the communication paths of a layer being controlled is independently managed in terms of both (i) an administrative state and (ii) a subordinate state indicating influence from communication paths of a server layer, the administrative state of the communication paths of the layer being controlled is changed according to the control for setting and releasing the communication paths, and the subordinate state of the communication paths of a client layer influenced by the change of the administrative state of the communication paths is changed accordingly. At this time, when a subordinate state has already been influenced by a state of control of the communication paths of a server layer, the processing for management is terminated.

Abstract: A method is implemented by which a Logical IP subnetwork attached (LIS) Next Hop Resolution Protocol (NHRP) client or an Emulated LAN (ELAN) subnetwork attached NHRP client in an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network can send data to a destination LAN Emulation Client (LEC) on a different ISO layer-3 subnetwork via a data-direct Virtual Channel Connection. The method enables such a IP subnetwork attached NHRP clients to obtain the ATM address corresponding to the destination station by using the vendor-private extension within an NHRP packet. The NHRP client uses the ATM address to build a data-direct VCC over which it unicasts data bound for the destination station. The NHRP client appears to the destination LEC as any other LEC on its ELAN would appear.

Abstract: A non-public, industry-specific computer network, for interconnecting a plurality of network members across an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) system, is provided, including a plurality of network members. Each network member includes an on-site and an off-site information server. The on-site information server of each network member is located at a site of the network member, and the off-site information server of each network member is located at an administrator site. The network also includes a dedicated, high speed ATM communication backbone interconnecting the on-site and off-site information servers of each of the network members. An administration server is located at the administrator site and is connectable to the off-site information servers of each of the network members at the administrator site. The administration server transmits data received from one network member to one or more other network members.

Abstract: A software intelligent Agent, and rules provided thereto by a user, screen and process data objects, for example an e-mail message, in accordance with said rules. Actions taken by the Agent to process a data object in accordance with rules associated with the object are entered into an activity record and the activity record is injected into the body of the data object, for example pre-pended into an e-mail message as the first body part of the message. This obviates the need for a user to remember the rules or to remember what actions were taken by the Agent.

Abstract: A data transmission network having a port-based default VLAN that limits flooding to other VLANs. The default VLAN receives a data packet, ascertains the destination address of the packet, and then determines if the destination port is one of the default VLAN ports. The data packet is transmitted to the destination port if it is one of the default VLAN ports, or to each of the default VLAN ports if the destination port is not one of the default VLAN ports. The data packet is not transmitted to any other non-default VLAN port.

Abstract: A multihomed host system is configured with independent front end processor transport providers, each having its own network protocol stack and each being connected to a different TCP/IP network or subnetwork or to different portions of the same network which in turn connects to an internetnetwork. The host system software includes a TCP/IP Transport Agent located between a sockets interface and the host system's input/output supervisor and driver facilities. The TCP/IP Transport Agent is enhanced to include a FEP Multihoming and Routing component for providing a multihoming capability. The FEP Multihoming and Routing component utilizes a plurality of components which are configured from the same administrator supplied configuration and static routing information furnished to the FEPs for configuring their respective TCP/IP stack facilities.

Abstract: In a link-level flow controlled system, a method and apparatus providing the ability to partition a buffer resource among multiple prioritized buffer subsets through definition of at least one threshold, the buffer resource being shared by a plurality of connections. Different category of service levels, in terms of delay bounds, are thus enabled. The presently disclosed link-level flow controlled system provides for zero cell loss. The shared buffer resource is divided among N priority pools, defined by N-1 threshold levels, each priority pool attributable to a respective category of service. Link-level counters and registers, disposed in a transmit element, as well as an indication of priority level associated with each connection, are employed in realizing the shared buffer resource.

Abstract: A packet authentication and packet encryption/decryption scheme for a security gateway suitable for a hierarchically organized network system and a mobile computing environment. For the packet authentication, in addition to the end-to-end authentication at the destination side packet processing device, the link-by-link authentication at each intermediate packet processing device in the packet transfer route is used. The link-to-link authentication data being inspected by intermediate nodes and end-to-end data (different from link-to-link data) being inspected by destination node but not being inspected by intermediate nodes.

Abstract: An automated communications system operates to transfer data, metadata and methods from a provider computer to a consumer computer through a communications network. The transferred information controls the communications relationship, including responses by the consumer computer, updating of information, and processes for future communications. Information which changes in the provider computer is automatically updated in the consumer computer through the communications system in order to maintain continuity of the relationship. Transfer of metadata and methods permits intelligent processing of information by the consumer computer and combined control by the provider and consumer of the types and content of information subsequently transferred. Object oriented processing is used for storage and transfer of information. The use of metadata and methods further allows for automating may of the actions underlying the communications, including communication acknowledgements and archiving of information.

Abstract: In a system for managing a telecommunications network the transmission network to be managed is connected to the management system by means of interface processes in such a way that devices used in the network are classified into different device categories (MD, SXC, SDH), the system comprising for each device category an interface process (IPI-IP3) which converts a device belonging to the concerned device category so that it appears, as viewed from the direction of the management system, as a generic basic device corresponding to a device represented by corresponding objects within the management system.

Abstract: A method of providing a service, to a plurality of terminals on a communication network, through a server on the communication network includes the following steps: 1) coupling a correlator to the network which links a unique name for the server to multiple network addresses; 2) providing a set of multiple computers on the network, each of which performs the service and is assigned a different one of the multiple network addresses; and, 3) incorporating a network address selector on the network which directs any one of the terminals to a single one of the computers, when an operator of that one terminal generates a request for the service which includes the unique name of the server. Due to this method, the server has a virtual single network address which means that from the point of view of an operator of a terminal, the service is being provided by a single computer on the network that has a single network address that corresponds to the server's unique name.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which route messages from a source device on a first network to a destination device on a second network through a first routing device where the first routing device transmits a message to a master routing device. The first routing device receives a routing address from the master routing device responsive to the transmitted message. The routing address specifies an address of a device to which subsequent communications to the destination device are routed. The first routing device stores the received routing address in a list of addresses so as to associate the stored routing address with an address of the destination device of the message. The first routing device may also determine a routing address for a second message from the stored list of routing addresses based upon a destination address of the second message and transmit the second message to the determined routing address.

Abstract: An "intelligent network agent" software application for network devices (such as bridges or repeaters) which have one or more network links automatically detects when two or more of the agent's network links are bridged or repeated across. This information can be used elsewhere to automatically configure the network links or for other intelligent applications. Such configuration could include: assigning bridged links to different segments (to maximize the connectivity offered by the bridging and to prevent looping); setting up bridged links on a bridge to form a Spanning Tree with another bridge; setting up redundant connections; disabling ports which are causing loops in the network, or other configuration actions.