Accessing remote stores of source and symbol data for use by computing tools

• US 20030110264A1
• Filed: 07/16/2001
• Published: 06/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Neault, Danial, Whidby, Mark D., Styles, Pat, Vachon, Andre F., Kess, Barbara Lynne, Jazayeri, Mohammad, Laundry, Douglas Seth
• Granted Patent: US 7,062,750 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/629 to features or functions of an application
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/71 Version control security arrangements therefor G06F21/57; Configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A system and method in which a remote network source maintains source code and symbol files, such as for debugging purposes, with automatic downloading of the correct files when they are needed. Files are remotely maintained based on unique data associated with that file (unique parameters) that are independent of the product name, release and/or build number. Such data includes time/date stamp information and file size, or signature and age data. When a given file is needed, such as to debug an executable code module, a symbol server at the client constructs a path (e.g., URL) to the needed file based on the unique information from the corresponding executable file, whereby the correct symbol file is accessed. Via that symbol file, the correct source file may be located and accessed. Security via authentication and access control lists may control access to the files, and authentication may be automatic.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving a request at a client to locate a symbol file;

determining a remote location at which the symbol file may be accessed;

communicating with a remote server to access the symbol file, including handling authentication of the client; and

obtaining access to the symbol file at the remote location.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining a remote location at which the symbol file may be accessed includes constructing at least part of a network path based on information associated with the file.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the information associated with the file includes time/date stamp data and size data.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the information associated with the file includes signature and age data.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein handling authentication of the client includes, communicating with cryptographic software to obtain a digital certificate.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the cryptographic software obtains the digital certificate from a smart card.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising, downloading the symbol file to the client.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising, communicating with a remote server to obtain access to a source code file associated with the symbol file.

9. A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing the method of claim 1.

10. In a computer network, a system comprising:

a symbol-based tool on a client machine;

a client authentication service on the client machine;

a symbol server on the client machine and connected for communication with the symbol-based tool and the client authentication mechanism; and

the symbol server communicating with the symbol-based tool to receive a request for a remotely located symbol file, the symbol server;

constructing a network path to the remotely located symbol file based on information associated with the file;

attempting to access the file via the path;

communicating with the client authentication service and with a remote server on the network path to—

authenticate the client at the remote server; and

obtaining access to the remote file.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the symbol-based tool comprises a debugging tool.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising, a mechanism at the client machine configured to determine a network path to a source code file that corresponds to the symbol file.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the client authentication service comprises a cryptographic service provider.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the cryptographic service provider is connected for reading a smart card.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the cryptographic service provider provides a digital certificate to the symbol server.

16. The system of claim 10 wherein the symbol server constructs a network path to the remotely located symbol file based on metadata associated with the file.

17. The system of claim 10 wherein the symbol server constructs a network path to the remotely located symbol file based on time/date stamp data associated with the file.

18. The system of claim 10 wherein the symbol server constructs a network path to the remotely located symbol file based on size data associated with the file.

19. The system of claim 10 wherein the symbol server constructs a network path to the remotely located symbol file based on age data associated with the file.

20. The system of claim 10 wherein the symbol server constructs a network path to the remotely located symbol file based on signature data associated with the file.

21. A computer-implemented method, comprising,

maintaining symbol files via a remote server, each symbol file having a unique network path thereto that may be derived from parameters associated with that file, including at least one of a time/date stamp data, size data, age data or signature data;

receiving, from a client, a request access to the selected symbol file via the network path;

determining, at the server, whether access to the selected symbol file should be granted, including authenticating the client, and if access should be granted, allowing access to the selected symbol file.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein authenticating the client includes issuing a challenge to the client.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein authenticating the client includes receiving a digital certificate from the client, and communicating with a certificate authority.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein authenticating the client includes comparing an identifier of the client against access control information associated with the selected file.

25. The method of claim 21 further comprising, constructing at the client machine a unique network path to a selected symbol file based on at least one of the parameters.