Method and apparatus for hierarchical software distribution packages including composite packages
First Claim
1. Apparatus for hierarchical software distribution allowing distribution of a software package comprising at least a first, second, and third package to a plurality of target nodes, wherein the contents of said first, second, and third package are determined by a distribution server before the contents are distributed, said apparatus comprising:
- a distribution node for transmitting packages of software;
a first branch node in communication with said distribution node, said first branch node being arranged to receive at least a portion of said software package from said distribution node;
first and second target nodes, said first target node being in communication with said first branch node via a first network link, and said second target node being in communication with said first branch node via a second network link;
said first branch node being arranged to transmit said software package over said first network link, to automatically repackage said second and third software packages into a fourth package, and to transmit the fourth package over only said second network link, and each of said first and fourth packages including a transfer control file allowing ascertainment of a shortest route to said target nodes;
such that the first, second, and third packages are distributed to both said first and second target nodes via said ascertained shortest route.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A software distribution system for software bundles comprising a plurality of packages, at least two of which are required by a different set of nodes on a network. Rather than send all of the packages constituting the software bundle to each node, only the packages in the software bundle which are required by nodes below a certain link in the network are sent along that link, whereby to minimize the bandwidth required for transmitting the software bundle.
-
Citations
9 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for hierarchical software distribution allowing distribution of a software package comprising at least a first, second, and third package to a plurality of target nodes, wherein the contents of said first, second, and third package are determined by a distribution server before the contents are distributed, said apparatus comprising:
-
a distribution node for transmitting packages of software;
a first branch node in communication with said distribution node, said first branch node being arranged to receive at least a portion of said software package from said distribution node;
first and second target nodes, said first target node being in communication with said first branch node via a first network link, and said second target node being in communication with said first branch node via a second network link;
said first branch node being arranged to transmit said software package over said first network link, to automatically repackage said second and third software packages into a fourth package, and to transmit the fourth package over only said second network link, and each of said first and fourth packages including a transfer control file allowing ascertainment of a shortest route to said target nodes;
such that the first, second, and third packages are distributed to both said first and second target nodes via said ascertained shortest route. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. Apparatus for hierarchical software distribution allowing distribution of a software package comprising at least a first, second, and third package to a plurality of target nodes, said apparatus comprising:
-
a distribution node for transmitting packages of software;
a first branch node in communication with said distribution node, said first branch node being arranged to receive said software package from said distribution node;
first and second target nodes, said first target node being in communication with said first branch node via a first network link, and said second target node being in communication with said first branch node via a second network link;
said first package already being present on said second target node;
said first branch node being arranged to transmit said software package over said first network link, to automatically repackage said second and third software packages into a fourth package, and to transmit the fourth package over only said second network link;
such that said first branch node is in communication with said first target node via a second branch node, said second branch node being;
in communication with said first branch node via said first network link, and said second branch node being;
in communication with said first target node via a third network link;
said second branch node being further in communication with a third target node via a fourth network link;
such that each of said branch nodes is provided with information regarding target nodes to which each branch node is responsible for sending said packages and which of said first, second, and third packages are required by said nodes; and
such that each branch node forwards the information to subsequent nodes along each branch, editing said information for each branch to include only target nodes reached via that branch.
-
-
8. Apparatus for hierarchical software distribution allowing distribution of a software package comprising at least a first, second, and third package to a plurality of target nodes, wherein the contents of said first, second, and third package are determined by a distribution server before the contents are distributed, said apparatus comprising:
-
a distribution node for transmitting packages of software;
at least one branch node in communication with said distribution node; and
first and second target nodes, said first target node being in communication with said branch node via a first network link, and said second target node being in communication with said branch node via a second network link;
each branch node being arranged to receive each of said first, second, and third packages from said distribution node independently, and each of said first, second, and third packages including a transfer control file allowing ascertainment of a shortest route to said target nodes;
said branch node being arranged to transmit said software package via said first network link to said first target node via said ascertained shortest route, and to automatically repackage said second and third software packages into a fourth package and transmit the fourth package via said second network link to said second target node via said ascertained shortest route using the transfer control file associated with the second package; and
said target nodes being arranged to install each package once the package is received;
such that the complete software package is installed on each of said first and second target nodes.
-
-
9. A method of distributing a software package to at least a first and second target node over at least one common network link, said software package comprising at least a first package, a second package, and a third package, wherein the contents of said second and third packages are determined by a distribution server and included in a transfer control file allowing ascertainment of a shortest route before the contents are distributed, said first software package already being present on said second node, said method comprising:
-
automatically repackaging said second and third packages into a fourth package; and
sending said software package over said common network link;
thereafter sending only said fourth package to said second target node; and
sending said software package to said first target node;
such that the first, second, and third packages are distributed to both said first and second target nodes via said ascertained shortest route.
-
Specification