Lease renewal service

• US 6,499,049 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2001
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Waldo, James H., McClain, John W. F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Breene, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, CHERYL RENEA
• Application Number:
  US09/955,177
• Publication Number:
  US 20020049779A1
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 707/203, 707/206, 707/201, 709/104.1, 709/201, 709/226
• US Class Current: 718/104
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/023 Free address space management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0253 Garbage collection, i.e. reclamation of unreferenced memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0261 using reference counting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/289 Object oriented databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4411 Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/465 Distributed object oriented systems remote method invocation [RMI] G06F9/548
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/50 Allocation of resources, e.g. of the central processing unit [CPU]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5011 the resources being hardware resources other than CPUs, Servers and Terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5061 Partitioning or combining of resources
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/52 Program synchronisation; Mutual exclusion, e.g. by means of semaphores
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/542 Event management; Broadcasting; Multicasting; Notifications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99957 Garbage collection

Abstract

In accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention, a lease manager is provided for managing leases between clients and other network services. To use the lease manager, a client enters into a management lease with the lease manager, specifying an amount of time during which the lease manager can manage preexisting leases between the client and network services on behalf of the client. This management includes renewing the preexisting leases with the other network services. Further, the lease manager notifies the client when a lease between the lease manager and the client is near expiration. The lease manager also notifies the client of failed attempts to renew the preexisting leases, as well as the management lease, either with a network service or with the lease manager.

Claims

1. A data processing method performed by a lease manager, comprising:

receiving a request from a client to manage a lease set held by the client for a resource set;

creating a lease management set including the lease set; and

managing the lease management set on behalf of the client.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource set includes a first resource provided by a first host, and a second resource provided by a second host.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the lease set includes a first lease that corresponds to the first resource and a second lease that corresponds to the second resource, and wherein the first lease is valid for a first lease duration and the second lease is valid for a second lease duration.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication from the client reflecting a duration the lease management set may be managed by the lease manager.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the lease management set includes a plurality of methods from which the client may select to perform operations on the lease management set.

6. A method in a data processing system, containing a client, a lease manager, and a network service, the method comprising the steps, performed by the lease manager of:

receiving an indication of a lease on the network service on behalf of the client; and

managing the lease on behalf of the client.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the managing step further comprises:

notifying the client when the lease is near expiration.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the managing step further comprises:

renewing the lease before expiration.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the managing step further comprises:

attempting to renew the lease;

determining that the attempt failed; and

notifying the client that the attempt failed.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the managing step further comprises:

receiving an indication of a period of time; and

managing the lease for the period of time.

11. A method in a data processing system, containing a client, a lease manager, a first remote infrastructure for granting a first lease on a first resource, and a second remote infrastructure for granting a second lease on a second resource, the method performed by the lease manager comprising:

receiving an indication of the first and second leases from the first and second infrastructures, respectively;

creating a lease set including at least the first and second leases; and

managing the leases included in the lease set on behalf of the client.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein managing the leases further comprises:

requesting renewal of the leases included in the lease set.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein managing the leases further comprises:

removing one of the first and second lease from the lease set.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein managing the leases further comprises:

providing an indication to the client when either of the first and second leases is about to expire.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein managing the leases further comprises:

providing an indication to the client that a request to renew either of the first and second leases has failed.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein managing the leases further comprises:

managing the leases included in the lease set on behalf of the client while the client is inactive.

17. A method in a data processing system, containing a client and a lease manager, the method performed by the lease manager comprising:

creating a lease set including a first lease on a first network service;

adding a second lease on a second network service to the lease set; and

managing the first and second leases on behalf of the client.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the adding step comprises:

receiving a request from the client to add the second lease to the lease set.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein managing the first and second leases further comprises:

receiving a request from the client to remove one of the first and second lease from the lease set; and

removing the one of the first and second lease from the lease set based on the request.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein managing the first and second leases further comprises:

removing the first lease from the lease set based on at least one of;

(i) an expiration of the first lease,

(ii) a request from the client to remove the first lease from the set,

(iii) a failure of a renewal request associated with the first lease, and

(iv) an expiration of a management lease between the client and the lease manager.

21. A data processing system for handling resources, the system comprising:

a client that sends a request for access to a resource; and

a lease manager for managing a lease upon receipt of an indication of the lease created in response to the request.

22. The system of claim 21, further comprising:

a remote infrastructure that receives the request, creates the lease, and sends the indication of the lease to the lease manager.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the client receives a notification of lease expiration.

24. A data processing system for handling resources, the system comprising:

a lease manager for managing a lease upon receipt of an indication of the lease created in response to a request for access to a resource; and

a remote infrastructure for receiving the request, creating the lease, and sending the indication of the lease to the lease manager.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the lease manager maintains a lease set that includes one or more leases created by the remote infrastructure, and manages the one or more leases.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the lease manager manages a second lease upon receipt of a second indication of the second lease created in response to a second request for access to a second resource, wherein the system further comprises:

a second remote infrastructure for receiving the second request, creating the second lease, and sending the second indication of the second lease to the lease manager.

27. A data processing system for handling resources, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory comprising;

a first process for requesting access to a resource; and

a second process for managing a lease on the resource on behalf of the first process,

wherein the processor runs at least one of the first and second process.

28. The data processing system of claim 27, wherein the second process manages the lease based on an indication of the lease from a remote infrastructure.

29. The data processing system of claim 27, wherein the second process manages the lease by performing at least one of:

(i) requesting renewal of the lease,

(ii) providing an indication of an expiration of the lease,

(iii) providing an indication of a failure to renew the lease,

(iv) managing a second lease on a second resource on behalf of the first process, and

(v) providing an indication of an expiration of a management lease between the first and second processes.

30. The data processing system of claim 27, wherein the first process requests a management lease from the second process for a selected duration.

31. The data processing system of claim 30, wherein the second process manages the lease during the duration of the management lease.

32. The data processing system of claim 31, wherein the duration of the management lease is equal to a duration of the lease.

33. The data processing system of claim 32, wherein the duration of the lease is indicated by a remote infrastructure that created the lease.

34. A data processing method comprising:

receiving a request from a client to manage a set of leases held by the client for a plurality of network services; and

invoking a create lease management set method for creating a lease management set to manage the leases held by the client for the plurality of network services.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the plurality of network services includes a first network service provided by a first host, and a second network service provided by a second host.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the lease corresponding to the first network service is valid for a first lease duration and the lease corresponding to the second network service is valid for a second lease duration, wherein the first and second lease durations are not identical.

37. The method of claim 34, further including:

creating a lease management set duration from which the lease management set is managed by the lease manager.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the lease management set includes a plurality of defined methods from which the client may use to perform operations on the lease management set.

39. A computer-readable medium including instructions for performing a method, when executed by a processor, the method performed by a lease manager comprising:

receiving a request from a client to manage a lease set held by the client for a resource set;

creating a lease management set including the lease set; and

managing the lease management set on behalf of the client.

40. The computer-readable medium of claim 39, wherein the resource set includes a first resource provided by a first host, and a second resource provided by a second host.

41. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the lease set includes a first lease that corresponds to the first resource and a second lease that corresponds to the second resource, and wherein the first lease is valid for a first lease duration and the second lease is valid for a second lease duration.

42. The computer-readable medium of claim 39, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving an indication from the client reflecting a duration the lease management set may be managed by the lease manager.

43. The computer-readable medium of claim 39, wherein the lease management set includes a plurality of methods from which the client may select to perform operations on the lease management set.

44. A computer-readable medium including instructions for performing a method in a data processing system containing a client, a lease manager, and a network service, the method comprising the steps, performed by the lease manager of:

receiving an indication of a lease on the network service on behalf of the client; and

managing the lease on behalf of the client.

45. The computer-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the managing step further comprises:

notifying the client when the lease is near expiration.

46. The computer-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the managing step further comprises:

renewing the lease before expiration.

47. The computer-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the managing step further comprises:

attempting to renew the lease;

determining that the attempt failed; and

notifying the client that the attempt failed.

48. The computer-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the managing step further comprises:

receiving an indication of a period of time; and

managing the lease for the period of time.

49. A computer-readable medium including instructions for performing a method, when executed by a processor, in a data processing system including a client, a lease manager, a first remote infrastructure for granting a first lease on a first resource, and a second remote infrastructure for granting a second lease on a second resource, the method performed by the lease manager comprising:

receiving an indication of the first and second leases from the first and second infrastructures, respectively;

creating a lease set including at least the first and second leases; and

managing the leases included in the lease set on behalf of the client.

50. The computer-readable medium of claim 49, wherein managing the leases further comprises:

requesting renewal of the leases included in the lease set.

51. The computer-readable medium of claim 49, wherein managing the leases further comprises:

removing one of the first and second lease from the lease set.

52. The computer-readable medium of claim 49, wherein managing the leases further comprises:

providing an indication to the client when either of the first and second leases is about to expire.

53. The computer-readable medium of claim 49, wherein managing the leases further comprises:

providing an indication to the client that a request to renew either of the first and second leases has failed.

54. The computer-readable medium of claim 49, wherein managing the leases further comprises:

managing the leases included in the lease set on behalf of the client while the client is inactive.

55. A computer-readable medium for performing a method, when executed by a processor, in a data processing system, containing a client and a lease manager, the method performed by the lease manager comprising:

creating a lease set including a first lease on a first network service;

adding a second lease on a second network service to the lease set; and

managing the first and second leases on behalf of the client.

56. The computer-readable medium of claim 55, wherein the adding step comprises:

receiving a request from the client to add the second lease to the lease set.

57. The computer-readable medium of claim 55, wherein managing the first and second leases further comprises:

receiving a request from the client to remove one of the first and second lease from the lease set; and

removing the one of the first and second lease from the lease set based on the request.

58. The computer-readable medium of claim 55, wherein managing the first and second leases further comprises:

removing the first lease from the lease set based on at least one of;

(i) an expiration of the first lease,

(ii) a request from the client to remove the first lease from the set,

(iii) a failure of a renewal request associated with the first lease, and

(iv) an expiration of a management lease between the client and the lease manager.

59. A computer-readable medium including instructions for performing a method, when executed by a processor, the method comprising:

receiving a request from a client to manage a set of leases held by the client for a plurality of network services; and

invoking a create lease management set method for creating a lease management set to manage the leases held by the client for the plurality of network services.

60. The computer-readable medium of claim 59, wherein the plurality of network services includes a first network service provided by a first host, and a second network service provided by a second host.

61. The computer-readable medium of claim 59, wherein the lease corresponding to the first network service is valid for a first lease duration and the lease corresponding to the second network service is valid for a second lease duration, wherein the first and second lease durations are not identical.

62. The computer-readable medium of claim 59, further including:

creating a lease management set duration from which the lease management set is managed by the lease manager.

63. The computer-readable medium of claim 62, wherein the lease management set includes a plurality of defined methods from which the client may use to perform operations on the lease management set.

64. A lease manager, comprising:

means for receiving a request from a client to manage a lease set held by the client for a resource set;

means for creating a lease management set including the lease set; and

means for managing the lease management set on behalf of the client.

65. The lease manager of claim 64, wherein the resource set includes a first resource provided by a first host and a second resource provided by a second host.

66. The lease manager of claim 65, wherein the lease set includes a first lease that corresponds to the first resource and a second lease that corresponds to the second resource, and wherein the first lease is valid for a first lease duration and the second lease is valid for a second lease duration.

67. The lease manager of claim 64, further comprising:

means for receiving an indication from the client reflecting a duration the lease management set may be managed by the lease manager.

68. The lease manager of claim 64, wherein the lease management set includes a plurality of methods from which the client may select to perform operations on the lease management set.

69. A system, comprising:

means for receiving an indication of a lease on a network service on behalf of a client; and

means for managing the lease on behalf of the client.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein the means for managing further comprises:

means for notifying the client when the lease is near expiration.

71. The system of claim 69, wherein the means for managing further comprises:

means for renewing the lease before expiration.

72. The system of claim 69, wherein the means for managing further comprises:

means for attempting to renew the lease;

means for determining that the attempt failed; and

means for notifying the client that the attempt failed.

73. The system of claim 69, wherein the means for managing further comprises:

means for receiving an indication of a period of time; and

means for managing the lease for the period of time.

74. A lease manager operating in a data processing system containing a client, a first remote infrastructure for granting a first lease on a first resource, and a second remote infrastructure for granting a second lease on a second resource, the lease manager comprising:

means for receiving an indication of the first and second leases from the first and second infrastructures, respectively;

means for creating a lease set including at least the first and second leases; and

means for managing the leases included in the lease set on behalf of the client.

75. The lease manager of claim 74, wherein the means for managing the leases further comprises:

means for requesting renewal of the leases included in the lease set.

76. The lease manager of claim 74, wherein the means for managing the leases further comprises:

means for removing one of the first and second lease from the lease set.

77. The lease manager of claim 74, wherein the means for managing the leases further comprises:

means for providing an indication to the client when either of the first and second leases is about to expire.

78. The lease manager of claim 74, wherein the means for managing the leases further comprises:

means for providing an indication to the client that a request to renew either of the first and second leases has failed.

79. The lease manager of claim 74, wherein the means for managing the leases further comprises:

means for managing the leases included in the lease set on behalf of the client while the client is inactive.

80. A lease manager in a data processing system including a client, comprising:

means for creating a lease set including a first lease on a first network service;

means for adding a second lease on a second network service to the lease set; and

means for managing the first and second leases on behalf of the client.

81. The lease manager of claim 80, wherein the means for adding comprises:

means for receiving a request from the client to add the second lease to the lease set.

82. The lease manager of claim 80, wherein the means for managing the first and second leases further comprises:

means for receiving a request from the client to remove one of the first and second lease from the lease set; and

means for removing the one of the first and second lease from the lease set based on the request.

83. The lease manager of claim 80, wherein the means for managing the first and second leases further comprises:

means for removing the first lease from the lease set based on at least one of;

(i) an expiration of the first lease,

(ii) a request from the client to remove the first lease from the set,

(iii) a failure of a renewal request associated with the first lease, and

(iv) an expiration of a management lease between the client and the lease manager.

84. A data processing system, comprising:

means for receiving a request from a client to manage a set of leases held by the client for a plurality of network services; and

means for invoking a create lease management set method for creating a lease management set to manage the leases held by the client for the plurality of network services.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of network services includes a first network service provided by a first host, and a second network service provided by a second host.

86. The system of claim 85, wherein the lease corresponding to the first network service is valid for a first lease duration and the lease corresponding to the second network service is valid for a second lease duration, wherein the first and second lease durations are not identical.

87. The system of claim 84, further including:

means for creating a lease management set duration from which the lease management set is managed by the lease manager.

88. The system of claim 84, wherein the lease management set includes a plurality of defined methods from which the client may use to perform operations on the lease management set.