Automatic client configuration system

• US 6,029,196 A
• Filed: 06/18/1997
• Issued: 02/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Netscape Communications Corporation (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lenz, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Dung C.
• Application Number:
  US08/878,499
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 395/200.5, 395/200.51, 395/200.52, 395/200.53, 395/200.54, 395/651, 395/652, 395/653, 713/1, 713/2, 713/100, 379/265, 709/203, 709/208, 709/209, 709/210, 709/220, 709/221, 709/222
• US Class Current: 709/221
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1091 Interfacing with client-server systems or between P2P systems
• 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 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

An automatic client configuration system provides a system administrator with the ability to configure every client in a network with one file which resides on the server, and which contains information for setting the client'"'"'s lock files, preferences, configuration information, and software versions. Control over logical groupings of clients is possible using separate configuration files for each group. The configuration of the network clients is performed during runtime, is automatic, and can be initiated by either the client or the server. The client contacts the server at startup for configuration information, which returns the configuration file that is used by the client to configure its system. The administrator uses the server to query the clients in the network for information, such as file version numbers. If the server determines that any of the clients need file updates, it sends the files to the specific client, which replaces the existing files with the new files sent by the server.

Claims

1. A process for automatically configuring computer network clients through a server, comprising the steps of:

creating a data file on a client which contains the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of said server;

creating configuration files on said server,

sending a configuration request from said client to said server, and wherein said request is resent if a configuration file is not received from said server within a predetermined time limit;

identifying the configuration file on said server associated with said client;

sending said configuration file from said server to said client;

configuring various aspects of said client using said configuration file;

allowing users to store their own configuration and preference information on said server from their client, thereby allowing said users to move to different machines and always be able to log in as themselves if they point to that same server;

wherein each configuration file is intended for a specific client or group of clients;

wherein said configuration file allows configuration data to be set dynamically; and

wherein said client addresses said server through said URL.

2. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

setting a polling option on said client with a command on said client or in said configuration file.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein said identifying step uses a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) file containing CGI script commands to associate said configuration file with said client.

4. The process of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

polling said client for information;

receiving said client'"'"'s response from said poll; and

processing said client'"'"'s response.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein said configuration file contains file update information.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein said configuration file contains preference and lock file settings.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein said client periodically refreshes said configuration file through a request for said configuration file to said server.

8. The process of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

processing Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) instructions contained in said configuration file on said client;

requesting information from an LDAP server on said client across a computer network;

receiving LDAP information from said LDAP server on said client; and

processing said LDAP information on said client.

9. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

setting preferences according to said configuration file on said client.

10. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

updating files according to said configuration file on said client.

11. The process of claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

receiving said poll from said server on said client;

processing said poll on said client; and

responding to said poll with said requested information on said client.

12. The process of claim 1, wherein said configuration file is a Javascript Configuration (JSC) file.

13. An apparatus for automatically configuring computer network clients through a server, comprising:

a data file on a client which contains the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of said server;

configuration files located on said server;

a module for sending a configuration request from said client to said server, and wherein said request is resent if a configuration file is not received from said server within a predetermined time limit;

a module for identifying the configuration file associated with said client and located on said server;

a module for sending said configuration file from said server to said client;

a module for configuring various aspects of said client using said configuration file;

a module for allowing users to store their own configuration and preference information on said server from their client, thereby allowing said users to move to different machines and always be able to log in as themselves if they point to that same server;

wherein each configuration file is intended for a specific client or group of clients;

wherein said configuration file allows configuration data to be set dynamically; and

wherein said client addresses said server through said URL.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said identifying module uses a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) file containing CGI script commands to associate said configuration file with said client.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a module for polling said client for information located on said server;

a module for receiving said client'"'"'s response from said poll located on said server; and

a module for processing said client'"'"'s response located on said server.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said configuration file contains file update information.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said configuration file contains preference and lock file settings.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a module for processing Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) instructions contained in said configuration file located on said client;

a module for requesting information from an LDAP server located on said client across a computer network;

receiving LDAP information from said LDAP server on said client; and

a module for processing said LDAP information located on said client.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a module for setting preferences according to said configuration file located on said client.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a module for updating files according to said configuration file located on said client.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a module for receiving said poll from said server located on said client;

a module for processing said poll located on said client; and

a module for responding to said poll with said requested information located on said client.

22. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said configuration file is a Javascript Configuration (JSC) file.

23. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a module for setting a polling option on said client with a command on said client or in said configuration file.

24. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said client periodically refreshes said configuration file through a request for said configuration file to said server.