Deployed agent used in the installation and maintenance of software

• US 6,971,094 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2000
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micro Focus LLC (Open Text Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Ly, Huey
• Primary Examiner(s): Chaki, Kakali
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wood, William H.
• Application Number:
  US09/510,747
• Time in Patent Office: 2,107 Days
• Field of Search: 717/168, 717/174, 717/171, 717/172, 717/176, 717/177, 709/202, 709/208
• US Class Current: 717/172
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A managing computer manages applications residing on a managed computer. An agent is forwarded from the managing computer to the managed computer. The agent runs on the managed computer. The agent maintains specified applications residing on the managed computer. The agent also performs requests made by the managing computer.

Claims

1. A method by which a managing computer manages applications residing on a managed computer, the method comprising the step of:

(a) forwarding an agent from the managing computer to the managed computer, the agent, upon arriving at the managed computer, performing the following;

(a.1) installing itself on the managed computer; and

,

(a.2) maintaining specified applications residing on the managed computer, including;

making updates to the specified applications when new versions of the specified applications are available on the managing computer.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein in step (a) the agent additionally performs the following:

(a.3) detecting lost network connections.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein in step (a) the agent additionally performs the following:

(a.3) monitoring network connection speed between the managed computer and the managing computer to determine a best time to transfer data from the managing computer to the managed computer.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein in step (a) the agent additionally performs the following:

(a.3) monitoring integrity of specified applications within the managed computer to ascertain when repair is needed.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein in step (a) the agent additionally performs the following:

(a.3) monitoring communications from the managing computer to determine when the managing computer desires the agent to take a requested action.

6. A method as in claim 5 wherein in substep (a.3) the requested action is to uninstall an application.

7. A method as in claim 5 wherein in substep (a.3) the requested action is to stop an application.

8. A method as in claim 1 wherein in step (a) the agent additionally performs the following substeps:

(a.3) monitoring network connection speed between the managed computer and the managing computer; and

,

(a.4) stopping all network applications on the managed computer when the network connection speed is below a predetermined threshold.

9. A method as in claim 1 wherein in step (a) the agent additionally performs the following substeps:

(a.3) downloading a specified application from the managing computer to the managed computer; and

,

(a.4) installing the specified application.