The present invention relates to an application that is configured to be operated in a multi-participant environment on a computer network. The application manages participants in an online session of a multi-user application so that if one of the participants exits the session, the session can continue without interruption. The application initiates an online session of the multi-user application, wherein the online session includes two or more participants comprised of network computers that are communicatively linked to a computer network. If the application detects that a first participant has disconnected from the online session, wherein the first participant is responsible for managing certain managerial functionality associated with the running of the multi-user application, then the application broadcasts a notification to existing participants of the online session over the communication network, thereby notifying the existing participants that the first participant has disconnected from the online session. The initiating application then re-assigns the functionality associated with the first participant to an existing participant of the online session. The participants can be communicating in a peer-to-peer arrangement or can be performing server duties in a client-server arrangement.

Systems and methods of the present invention for maintaining network data distribution are provided. Network data may be distributed in such as manner as to allow a network session to weather interrupted communications between host and clients without significant loss of data. Embodiments of the present invention provide for one or more clients to serve as backup host(s) for the network session. When the other clients transmit data to the host, they may also transmit the data to one or more backup hosts if there are any indications of interrupted communication.

Peer-to-peer redundant file server system and methods include clients that determine a target storage provider to contact for a particular storage transaction based on a pathname provided by the filesystem and a predetermined scheme such as a hash function applied to a portion of the pathname. Servers use the same scheme to determine where to store relevant file information so that the clients can locate the file information. The target storage provider may store the file itself and/or may store metadata that identifies one or more other storage providers where the file is stored. A file may be replicated in multiple storage providers, and the metadata may include a list of storage providers from which the clients can select (e.g., randomly) in order to access the file.

From the enterprise cloud to robot swarms, distributed systems are everywhere. However, because these systems are realized through the careful coupling of disparate technologies (e.g., databases, messaging systems, and application runtimes), they are difficult to create and maintain—even for experienced engineers. This is a problem because the engineers of these systems have to work harder, be better trained, and thus cost more to employ, making it harder to create new products and inventions. A solution herein is a Data Backbone that provides a single medium for processing, storing, and sharing data in near-real-time. By combining these features into a single medium, the Data Backbone consolidates the functionality of several disparate tools into one system.

A method is provided of managing a non-static collection of machines. A first client machine runs a first communication protocol. The non-static collection of machines includes a first linear communication orbit, the first linear communication orbit comprising a sequence of machines that run the first communication protocol, and a second linear communication orbit, the second linear communication orbit comprising a sequence of machines that run a second communication protocol distinct from the first communication protocol. The first client machine receives an instruction from a server to install the second communication protocol, installs the second communication protocol, and then submits a registration request to the server. The first client machine receives, from the server, contact information of a list of potential neighbors. The first client machine then, proactively constructs and maintains a respective local segment of the second linear communication orbit.

A method is provided of managing a non-static collection of machines. A first client machine runs a first communication protocol. The non-static collection of machines includes a first linear communication orbit, the first linear communication orbit comprising a sequence of machines that run the first communication protocol, and a second linear communication orbit, the second linear communication orbit comprising a sequence of machines that run a second communication protocol distinct from the first communication protocol. The first client machine receives an instruction from a server to install the second communication protocol, installs the second communication protocol, and then submits a registration request to the server. The first client machine receives, from the server, contact information of a list of potential neighbors. The first client machine then, proactively constructs and maintains a respective local segment of the second linear communication orbit.

A system for facilitating a distribution interaction session between two or more user devices through peer-to-peer connections comprises a processor associated with a server. The processor is configured to receive a request from a first user device to initiate a distribution interaction session between the first user device and a second user device via a distribution interaction application. The first user device has established a peer-to-peer connection with the second user device based on geolocation information. The processor is further configured to initiate the distribution interaction session from the distribution interaction application and to receive account information from the first user device through data streaming between the first user device and the server. The processor is further configured to determine an account associated with a first user based on the received account information and to conduct the distribution interaction session between the first user and a second user.

A system for facilitating a distribution interaction session between two or more user devices through peer-to-peer connections comprises a processor associated with a server. The processor is configured to receive a request from a first user device to initiate a distribution interaction session between the first user device and a second user device via a distribution interaction application. The first user device has established a peer-to-peer connection with the second user device based on geolocation information. The processor is further configured to initiate the distribution interaction session from the distribution interaction application and to receive account information from the first user device through data streaming between the first user device and the server. The processor is further configured to determine an account associated with a first user based on the received account information and to conduct the distribution interaction session between the first user and a second user.

Systems and methods for neutral application programming interfaces are disclosed. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a system for neutral application programming interfaces. The system may comprise a device. The device may be configured to receive a request. The request may comprise an outer payload and an inner payload. The device may be further configured to parse the outer payload based on a common definition of the outer payload. The device may be further configured to extract information of an action from the outer payload. The device may be further configured to parse the inner payload based on a definition of the action. The device may be further configured to process the action.

Modular industrial automation device and method for configuring a modular industrial automation device, wherein in order to configure the modular industrial automation device which includes a central unit and at least one communication module which each comprise a router module and a routing configuration unit, the routing configuration units transmit routing information stored in their routing table to routing configuration units of other router modules, and the routing configuration units update their respective routing table based on routing information which is received from routing configuration units of other router modules and relates to routes to IPv4 subnetworks assigned to other router modules, a default gateway and a connection between the associated router module and a backplane bus system.