Directory-services-based software distribution apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for distributing software, the apparatus comprising:
- a network interconnecting a plurality of nodes including a source node storing software;
a directory services node storing a network directory services system comprising directory services objects having attributes and managed by a directory services executable, each directory services object corresponding to an entity and operably related in a hierarchical tree to others of the directory services objects, the hierarchical tree reflecting the relationships between the entities;
the directory services node being operably connected to the network and programmed to maintain a distribution object of the directory services objects, the distribution object corresponding to the software and containing attributes comprising distribution-controlling data for controlling distribution of the software, the software being independent from the directory services executable;
a workstation node operably connected to the directory services node to retrieve the distribution-controlling data from the distribution object of the directory services node and programmed to distribute the software in accordance with the distribution-controlling data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for distributing software implements directory services of a network to provide data for controlling a distribution of software. A software object may be any electronic representation of data of any type, from a single byte, to a complex application, or the like. A directory services computer, responsible for maintaining a data store of inter-related logical entities may store a distribution object containing all distribution information associated with a distribution. Distribution information may include a listing of targets, actual entities represented as logical entities in the data store, which are to receive a distribution of a software object. The directory services computer provides instantiations of various portions or an entire data store to be read by various nodes or computers throughout a network or internetwork. Accordingly, an individual computer, such as an individual client or workstation may read information in a distribution object, identified itself as a target of a distribution, and pull the designated software object, completing the distribution to itself. Distribution may also be effected by a workstation from a remote source node to a remote destination node. Authorizations, timing, targets, and software objects, may all be identified in a distribution object.
85 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus for distributing software, the apparatus comprising:
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a network interconnecting a plurality of nodes including a source node storing software; a directory services node storing a network directory services system comprising directory services objects having attributes and managed by a directory services executable, each directory services object corresponding to an entity and operably related in a hierarchical tree to others of the directory services objects, the hierarchical tree reflecting the relationships between the entities; the directory services node being operably connected to the network and programmed to maintain a distribution object of the directory services objects, the distribution object corresponding to the software and containing attributes comprising distribution-controlling data for controlling distribution of the software, the software being independent from the directory services executable; a workstation node operably connected to the directory services node to retrieve the distribution-controlling data from the distribution object of the directory services node and programmed to distribute the software in accordance with the distribution-controlling data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An article of manufacture comprising at least one memory device containing data structures comprising:
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a directory services system comprising directory services objects having attributes and managed by a directory services executable, each directory services object corresponding to an entity and operably related in a hierarchical tree to others of the directory services objects, the hierarchical tree reflecting the relationships between the entities; software to be distributed, the software having a directory services object corresponding thereto and being independent from the directory services executable; a distribution executable programmed to distribute the software; a distribution object of the directory services objects, the distribution object corresponding to the software and containing attributes comprising distribution-controlling data to be used by the distribution executable for controlling distribution of the software. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for distributing software, the method comprising:
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providing a network comprising nodes, including a directory services node, a source node, and a workstation node; providing a network directory services system associated with the directory services node and comprising directory services objects having attributes managed by a directory services executable, each directory services object corresponding to an entity and operably related in a hierarchical tree to others of the directory services objects, the hierarchical tree reflecting the relationships between the entities; providing in the source node in the network software, independent from the network directory services system, to be distributed; providing a distribution object as one of the directory services objects, having attributes comprising distribution-controlling data; and providing a distribution executable for accessing the distribution object and controlling distribution of the software in accordance with the distribution-controlling data. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification