Method of maintaining data integrity in a network database

• US 5,459,863 A
• Filed: 06/08/1994
• Issued: 10/17/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Next Software Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Original Assignee: NeXT Computer, Inc. (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Taylor, Bradley
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WANG, PETER
• Application Number:
  US08/255,556
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 395/600, 395/425, 395/325, 395/650
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A network database. The network database is arranged in a plurality of domains in a logical hierarchy. Each domain of the hierarchy represents a body of information associated with a logically related group of users or related group of computers. A relative naming scheme is implemented in which a domain stores the names of only its parent domain and child domains. This permits reconfiguration of the network to be accomplished without changing the database structure. Each domain stores information in a hierarchical structure known as a "directory." Each directory consists of a list of zero or more "properties," each having an associated name and ordered list of values.

Claims

1. A method of maintaining data integrity of information stored in a network database stored on a computer coupled to a network comprising the steps of:

on at least one computer coupled to said network, executing operations for determining an instance identification (ID) associated with said information and storing said instance ID in said computer;

said operations requiring one or more users requesting to change said information in said computer to obtain a provided instance ID by reading said stored instance ID;

said operations requiring said one or more users to provide said provided instance ID and comparing said provided instance ID with said stored instance ID;

said operations permitting a requested change to said information by said one or more users when said provided instance ID of said one or more users matches said stored instance ID;

said operations creating a new instance ID associated with said information when said requested change is made to said information by a first user of said one or more users and storing said new instance ID of said one or more users on said computer; and

,

said operations denying requests for changes to said information from a second user of said one or more users when said provided instance ID does not subsequently match said stored instance ID.