Disclosed methods for network modernization include obtaining a list of end-to-end circuits carried in a circuit-switched network, calculating, for each circuit, an early retirement credit (ERC) score and a circuit load factor (CLF) score, selecting, dependent on the ERC and CLF scores, a circuit to migrate to a new network, adding the selected circuit to a circuit migration sequence, and removing the circuit from the list. The ERC score represents the number of circuit-switching units on which no circuits would be carried and that would remain in the network following its removal. The CLF score represents an average number of circuits that would be carried on each circuit-switching unit currently traversed by the circuit following its removal. When two circuits have the highest ERC score, the circuit with the lowest CLF score is selected for migration. The method is repeated until the list is empty.

Disclosed methods for network modernization include obtaining a list of end-to-end circuits carried in a circuit-switched network, calculating, for each circuit, an early retirement credit (ERC) score and a circuit load factor (CLF) score, selecting, dependent on the ERC and CLF scores, a circuit to migrate to a new network, adding the selected circuit to a circuit migration sequence, and removing the circuit from the list. The ERC score represents the number of circuit-switching units on which no circuits would be carried and that would remain in the network following its removal. The CLF score represents an average number of circuits that would be carried on each circuit-switching unit currently traversed by the circuit following its removal. When two circuits have the highest ERC score, the circuit with the lowest CLF score is selected for migration. The method is repeated until the list is empty.

Some embodiments provide a method for connecting a client of a first network to a service of a second network. The method includes registering the service of the second network. The method then receives, from a client of the first network, a request to communicate with the service, the client not having an address of the service. The method further assigns an IP address to the service and sends the IP address to the client. Additionally, the method sends, to an inter-network hub that connects the first network and the second network, a message in order for the inter-network hub to establish a first tunnel between the inter-network hub and a first gateway associated with the client and a second tunnel between the inter-network hub and a second gateway associated with the service.

A mobile device may retrieve service information about a network prior to associating with the network. Utilizing an advertisement protocol to transmit service query messages, a mobile device may receive service query responses from a network that identify the services available prior to establishing network capability. In other words, the messaging is prior to the exchange of any authentication parameters between the device and the network as well prior to the establishment of a recognized session between the device and the network.

A mobile device may retrieve service information about a network prior to associating with the network. Utilizing an advertisement protocol to transmit service query messages, a mobile device may receive service query responses from a network that identify the services available prior to establishing network capability. In other words, the messaging is prior to the exchange of any authentication parameters between the device and the network as well prior to the establishment of a recognized session between the device and the network.

The present disclosure relates generally to providing a mechanism for communication between point of sale devices. Using network technology and novel processes, the present systems and methods can share transaction records among multiple devices without the presence of a physical server. For example, in certain embodiments, the present systems and methods leverage virtual server technology to implement local area networks of point of sale devices with zero configuration.

An MFP communicates with a DNS server through a network. This MFP includes an operation unit that sets whether a printing service is activated or not and a controller unit that registers search information in which capability information provided for a client terminal and information relating to name resolution are associated with each other in the DNS server in accordance with activation of the printing service being set by this operation unit.

A system, method and apparatus for automatically enrolling wireless end devices with a base station and/or other device or system. A wireless end device is scanned using a smart phone's native capabilities, without the use of a downloadable, third party app. Information from the scan indicates the name of the base station to which enrollment is desired. The base station name is used in an mDNS request in order to determine a local IP address of the base station. When the IP address is returned to the local, wireless communication device, the wireless communication device sends an HTTP GET message comprising attributes of the end device. The base station receives the HTTP GET message and enrolls the wireless end device with the base station. The base station my further alert another base station, system, server or other entity of the enrollment. The base station may then send the local, wireless communication device a web page indicating that the wireless end device was successfully enrolled with the base station and/or other base station, system, server or entity.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are provided for publishing, discovering, connecting with and activating services in a peer-to-peer environment. Services available in association with a first computing device are determined and encoded with instructions for accessing and understanding such services via their respective activation protocols. The encoded services are published via a publication protocol such that they are discoverable by at least a second computing device, irrespective of whether such services may be activated via the publication protocol. The second computing device discovers the available services via the publication protocol and accesses and understands the instructions associated with a desired service. Upon receipt of a request from the second computing device, via the activation protocol, to activate the requested service, the requested service is activated by the first computing device.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method, comprising receiving in an apparatus a first message from a second apparatus located in a different domain as the apparatus, the first message comprising a logical name of the second apparatus and a first global address, receiving a second message from a third apparatus, the second message comprising a second global address, and determining whether the first and second global addresses are the same address, or where the first and second global addresses are IPv6 addresses, whether they belong to the same network, and responsive to the first and second global addresses being the same address, or in the case of IPv6 belonging to the same network, causing transmission of information comprising at least one of a logical name and a local address of the second apparatus to the third apparatus.