Server administration tool using remote file browser

• US 6,327,608 B1
• Filed: 09/25/1998
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Dillingham, Lara N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Geckil, Mehmet B.
• Application Number:
  US09/161,343
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/201, 709/216, 709/217, 709/219, 709/220, 709/221, 709/223, 709/224
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/133 Protocols for remote procedure calls [RPC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A system architecture enables remote browsing and administration of physical file directories resident on a server from a remote client browser. The architecture has a browser and a user interface (UI) resident at a client. From the UI, the remote administrator can specify a path of a physical file directory in a file system located at the server. The browser sends an HTTP request that includes the path to the server. A server-side script receives the client request and invokes a file system object to enumerate the files and/or folders for the directory path specified in the client request. The server-side script then creates a client-side script, which when executed at the client will instantiate a custom client-side object to cache the directory data and to present that data in a dialog UI. The server returns the client-side script and directory data to the client, wherein the script is subsequently executed to instantiate a local object to cache the directory data. Using the client UI, the remote administrator can view the directory data, navigate the data, set properties for the listed files or folders, add or rearrange directories, delete or move files, or perform other general administration tasks.

Claims

1. In a client-server computer system, a method for browsing server-based physical file directories remotely from a client over a network, comprising the following steps:

submitting a directory path in a request from the client to the server, the directory path specifying a path in the physical file directories;

generating directory data pertaining to files and/or folders enumerated for the directory path;

creating client-side executable code for execution on the client to cache the directory data at the client; and

returning the executable code and the directory data from the server to the client.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of executing the executable code at the client to cache the directory data at the client.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising the step of displaying the directory data at the client.

4. A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising the step of listing the files and/or folders in a graphical user interface at the client.

5. A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising the step of displaying a representation of the file directories in a graphical user interface at the client.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of executing the executable code at the client to build a graphical user interface and to present the directory data within the graphical user interface at the client.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, further comprising the step of navigating the directory data within the graphical user interface.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the submitting step comprises the step of sending the directory path as a text string in an HTTP request.

9. Computer-readable mediate distributed at the client and the server to store computer-executable instructions for performing the steps as recited in claim 1.

10. In a client-server computer system in which a client submits a request to browse a server-based file directory, a method for handling the client request at the server, comprising the following steps:

extracting a directory path from the request;

enumerating any files and/or folders for the directory path;

creating executable code for execution on the client to cache directory data pertaining to the enumerated files and/or folders at the client; and

returning the executable code and the directory data to the client.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising the step of determining whether the directory path exists.

12. A remote file administration architecture embodied on computer-readable media for execution in a client-server system, the architecture comprising:

client-side code resident at a client to enable a user to designate a path of a physical file directory located at a server and to send a client request that includes the path to the server; and

server-side code resident at the server to receive the client request and to generate directory data pertaining to files and/or folders for the directory path, the server-side code generating client-side executable code for execution on the client to cache the directory data at the client and returning the executable code and the directory data to the client.

13. A remote file administration architecture as recited in claim 12, wherein the client-side code comprises a Web browser and a graphical user interface to present and enable navigation of the directory data.

14. A remote file administration architecture as recited in claim 12, wherein the server-side code comprises a Web server, a file system interface, and a script to generate the client-side executable code.

15. A remote file administration architecture as recited in claim 12, wherein the request conforms to HTTP.

16. A remote file administration architecture embodied on computer-readable media for execution in a client-server system having a client computer connected to a server computer via a public network, the server having a file system with files and/or folders arranged in physical directories, the architecture comprising:

a client browser resident at a client;

a client user interface to enable a user to designate a path of a physical file directory located at the server;

the client browser being configured to send a client request that includes the path to the server; and

a server program resident at the server to receive the client request and to direct the file system to enumerate the files and/or folders for the directory path contained in the request, the server program generating executable code that can be executed on the client to cache directory data enumerated by the file system at the client.

17. A remote file administration architecture as recited in claim 16, wherein the request conforms to HTTP.

18. A remote file administration architecture as recited in claim 16, wherein the server program returns the executable code and the directory data to the client.

19. A server software system embodied on a computer-readable medium and implemented in a server connected to serve one or more clients, the server having a file system with files and/or folders arranged in physical directories, the server software system comprising:

code means for receiving a client request to browse the file system, the client request specifying a directory path of a physical directory;

code means for enumerating any files and/or folders for the directory path;

code means for creating client-side executable code for execution on the client to cache directory data pertaining to the enumerated files and/or folders at the client; and

code means for returning the executable code and the directory data to the client.

20. A server software system as recited in claim 19, further comprising code means for determining whether the directory pass exists.

21. A server operating system comprising the server software system as recited in claim 19.

22. A network system comprising:

a client computer having a processing unit, a memory, and a browser stored in the memory and executable on the processing unit;

a server computer having a processing unit and memory;

a file system implemented on the server computer and having files and/or folders organized in directories and stored within the server memory;

a server program stored in the server memory and executable on the processing unit to receive requests from the browser on the client computer and to return responses to the browser;

the browser being configured to send a request to the server computer, the request specifying a directory path within the physical directories of the file system; and

the server program being configured to obtain directory data for the directory path from the file system and to create client-side executable code for execution on the client computer to cache the directory data locally at the client, the server program returning the executable code and the directory data to the client.

23. A network system as recited in claim 22, wherein the client browser communicates with the server program using HTTP messages.