Methods and systems for distributing software

• US 20080162621A1
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Schulz, Volker, Dohle, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,200,787 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/201
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416

Abstract

Systems and methods consistent with the invention relate to the distribution of software. According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for distributing software from a first system to a second system may comprise determining a software object to be transported. The method may then create, on the first system, a transport request comprising an object list. The method may also define, on the first system, a transport container and include the software object in the transport container. Further, the transport container may be included in the object list of the transport request. The transport request may then be provided to the second system.

Claims

1. A method for distributing software from a first system to a second system, comprising:

determining a software object to be transported;

creating, on the first system, a transport request comprising an object list;

defining, on the first system, a transport container;

including the software object into the transport container;

including the transport container in the object list of the transport request; and

providing the transport request to the second system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the software object includes at least one of a computer program, parts of computer programs, program code, and data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the software object reflects changes made on the first system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transport request further includes a header.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

creating an archive which contains the software object, whereby the archive is stored in a storage device located on the first system.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the storage device is a file system at an operating system level.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transport container further includes:

instructions describing how the software object is to be handled during distribution of the software.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein providing the transport request further includes:

exporting the transport request to the second system.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein exporting the transport request further includes:

exporting the software object to the second system.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the instructions describe a process executed before the software object is exported.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the instructions describe a process executed after the software object is imported into the second system.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein exporting the transport request further includes storing the transport request in a data file that is shared by the first system and the second system.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein exporting the software object further includes:

comprises storing the software object in a data file that is shared by the first system and the second system.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the transport request further includes:

transferring the transport request from the first system to the second system.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the transport request further includes:

importing the transport request into the second system.

16. The method of claim 5, wherein the archive is a JAVA runtime archive.

17. A system for distributing software from a first system to a second system, comprising:

a first module which determines a software object to be transported;

a second module which creates, on the first system, a transport request having an object list;

a third module which defines, on the first system, a transport container;

a fourth module for including a software object in the transport container;

a fifth module for including the transport container in the object list of the transport request; and

a sixth module which provides the transport request to the second system.

18. The system of claim 17, further including:

a seventh module which creates an archive having the software object, and which stores the archive in a storage device.

19. The system of claim 17, further including:

a seventh module which creates a data file and stores the software object in the data file.

20. A method for distributing software from a first system to a second system, comprising:

identifying a software object to be transported;

generating, at the first system, a transport request including an object list that identifies the software object;

defining, at the first system, a transport container for the software object, wherein the transport container is included in the object list; and

distributing the transport request to the second system.