A multiprocessor system that assures forward progress of local processor requests for data by preventing other nodes from accessing the data until the processor request is satisfied. In one aspect of the invention, the local processor requests data through a remote cache interconnect. The remote cache interconnect tells the local processor to retry its request for data at a later time, so that the remote cache interconnect has sufficient time to obtain the data from the system interconnect. When the remote cache interconnect receives the data from the system interconnect, a hold flag is set. Any requests from other nodes for the data are rejected while the hold flag is set. When the local processor issues a retry request, the data is delivered to the processor and the hold flag is cleared. Other nodes may then obtain control of the data.

A parameter detection system and method, detects the receipt of a valid communication from an entity, determines the data rate of the communication from the entity, and determines other parameters of the communication from the other entity. The parameter detection circuit configures a precision time generator to provide a timing signal at the appropriate rate to sample data associated with said valid communication, and configure a receiver/transmitter with the determined parameters of the communication.

Communication apparatus having first communication device conformed to a first communication standard and second communication device conformed to a second communication standard different from the first communication standard. A control unit is coupled to the first and second communication device. The first communication device is capable of detecting whether or not another apparatus is disconnected from the first communication device. The control unit is capable of setting the second communication device in an active state if the first communication device detects that another apparatus is disconnected from the first communication device when the second communication device is in an inactive state. The second communication device is capable of being used to communicate with another apparatus when the second communication device is set in an active state, and is not capable of being used to communicate with another apparatus when the second communication device is set in an inactive state.

A system and methods for implementing education online by providing institutions with the means for allowing the creation of courses to be taken by students online, the courses including assignments, announcements, course materials, chat and whiteboard facilities, and the like, all of which are available to the students over a network such as the Internet. Various levels of functionality are provided through a three-tiered licensing program that suits the needs of the institution offering the program. In addition, an open platform system is provided such that anyone with access to the Internet can create, manage, and offer a course to anyone else with access to the Internet without the need for an affiliation with an institution, thus enabling the virtual classroom to extend worldwide.

A system and methods for implementing education online by providing institutions with the means for allowing the creation of courses to be taken by students online, the courses including assignments, announcements, course materials, chat and whiteboard facilities, and the like, all of which are available to the students over a network such as the Internet. Various levels of functionality are provided through a three-tiered licensing program that suits the needs of the institution offering the program. In addition, an open platform system is provided such that anyone with access to the Internet can create, manage, and offer a course to anyone else with access to the Internet without the need for an affiliation with an institution, thus enabling the virtual classroom to extend worldwide.