International Business Machines Corporation

Joseph Raymond Thompson

Viktors Berstis

Christian Lita

James Lyle Peterson

Craig Alan Bennett

An Internet client is provided with a SOCKS server. The client comprises a processor having an operating system, and a suite of one or more Internet tools. The SOCKS proxy server includes means for intercepting and servicing connection requests from the Internet tools. Preferably, the proxy server has a predetermined Internet Protocol address, preferably the loopback address. If the loopback address is not available on the protocol stack, a redirecting mechanism is used to redirect connection requests associated with stale IP addresses to a current IP address. The SOCKS server includes a filtering mechanism for filtering connection requests to particular servers, and a monitoring mechanism for monitoring network IP activity.

Client side socks server for an internet client

A method and apparatus for testing a modem line in a data processing system, wherein the data processing system includes a modem having an input for a modem line. The input is tested to determine an electrical connection network is present.

Method and apparatus for testing a communications line in a data processing system

A method of managing connection requests from an application supported on a client. The client has a modem connectable to at least one server via a dialup computer network. According to the method, a list is maintained of the local Internet Protocol (IP) addresses assigned as modem connections are established to the dialup computer network during a session. The list is preferably in Last In, First Out (LIFO) order and includes a latest IP address as the last entry and one or more stale IP addresses. In response to a connection request associated with a stale IP address, the stale IP address is mapped to the latest IP address. The connection request is then redirected using the latest IP address. Preferably, client supports a proxy server which services the connection request locally if possible to avoid network traffic.

Managing connection requests in a dialup computer network

A method of managing a plurality of client machine 'Web agents' vying for a resource in a computer network having a central authority. The resource may be a limited number of telephone connections in a dialup telephone network. At each client machine, a map of available agent start times is generated based on resource usage statistics and given scheduling criteria distributed by the central authority. Using this information, an available agent start time is selected at random from the map. This start time is then set as a 'regular' start time at which the particular agent initiates some agent activity on behalf of a user of the client machine. If, however, the client machine is unable to obtain access to the resource according to a given criteria, the map of available agent start times is then regenerated to enable the agent associated with the client machine to reschedule itself to a new start time for the agent activity. Thus, each agent performs its own scheduling based on the resource usage statistics and/or given scheduling criteria distributed from the central authority.

Scheduling of distributed agents in a dialup network

A method of retrieving Web content from a plurality of Web servers for delivery to a Web client connectable to the World Wide Web via a communication link. The Web client is preferably a data processing system connectable to a television or other conventional monitor to provide low cost Internet access. The method begins by having the user define a set of one or more servers from which content is desired to be retrieved and stored in the cache. These servers are preferably identified by a 'list' of favorite Web sites. A test is then made to determine whether a given download period has terminated. Typically, this download period occurs during an 'off' period, such as in the middle of the night, to avoid traffic congestion at the Web server sites. If the given download period has not terminated, a determination is then made of an activity level for the communication link as content is being downloaded to the cache from the one or more servers. If the activity level for the communication link is less than a given threshold level, additional requests for content are issued to the cache according to a so-called 'fairness policy' that ensures that content from as many sites as possible is downloaded during the download period.

Growing community of inventors

Round Rock, TX, United States of America

Joseph Raymond Thompson