Method and apparatus for automatically updating software components on end systems over a network
First Claim
1. A method of automatically updating software in a network including a server and an agent, comprising the steps of:
- a) generating a server request, wherein said server request identifies the newest version level of a software component;
b) generating an agent update request if the agent needs said newest version level of said software component; and
c) updating the agent with said newest version level of said software component in response to said update request.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatically updating software components in one or more agents (end systems) in a network. An ASU server generates a multicast request to agents within its network domain, identifying the newest, available versions of software components that may be installed on the agents. Agents compare installed versions with the newest versions and respond to the server request by indicating components that need to be updated. Components include network and non-network software as well as operating system (OS) software. The ASU server then transmits the requested components to the requesting agents in a self extracting compressed file. The file is installed and the components updated without rebooting system software.
1092 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method of automatically updating software in a network including a server and an agent, comprising the steps of:
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a) generating a server request, wherein said server request identifies the newest version level of a software component; b) generating an agent update request if the agent needs said newest version level of said software component; and c) updating the agent with said newest version level of said software component in response to said update request. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A network comprising:
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a) a server having a request generator, wherein said server generates a server request on a communication channel, and wherein said server request identifies the newest version level of a software component; b) an agent, coupled to said communication channel and having an update request generator, wherein said agent receives said server request and generates an update request if said agent requires said newest version of said software component; and c) wherein said server updates said agent with said newest version level of said software component in response to said update request. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of automatically updating software in a network including a server, a first agent and a second agent, comprising the steps of:
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a) generating a multicast server request, wherein said multicast request identifies the newest version levels for a first software component and a second software component; b) generating a first agent update request if the first agent needs said newest version of one of said first and second software components; c) generating a second agent update request if the second agent needs said newest version of one of said first and second software components; and d) updating the first and second agents with said newest version levels of said first and second software components in response to said first and second update requests. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A network comprising:
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a) a server having a request generator, wherein said server generates a server request on a communication channel, and wherein said server request identifies the newest version levels of a first software component and a second software component; b) a first agent, coupled to said communication channel and having an update request generator, wherein said first agent receives said server request and generates an update request if said first agent requires said newest version of one of said first and second software components; c) a second agent, coupled to said communication channel and having an update request generator, wherein said second agent receives said server request and generates an update request if said second agent requires said newest version of one of said first and second software components; and c) wherein said server updates said first and second agents with said newest version levels of said first and second software components in response to said first and second update requests. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A server for updating software components in agents, the server comprising:
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a request generator for generating server requests on a communication channel, said server requests identifying available versions of software components to a plurality of agents; a memory for storing agent update requests generated by any of said agents responding to server requests, wherein said server stores update requests received from said agents, said update requests identifying said available software components required by said responding agents; and an update mechanism, wherein said server updates said responding agents with said required software components. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification