Method and system for automatically configuring a client-server network

• US 7,177,897 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2003
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Resource Consortium Limited, LLC
• Original Assignee: Intergenix
• Inventors: Manukyan, Jaques A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng; David Y.
• Application Number:
  US10/723,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20040107272A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200, 709/202, 709/205, 709/230
• US Class Current: 709/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files

Abstract

A system for automatically configuring server daemons in a client-server network for delivering services to a client is provided. The system comprises an interactive server in communication with a database server. The interactive server runs a server daemon to make a service available to a client. The server daemon is programmed to automatically locate, configure and edit predetermined system configuration files located in the interactive server, relative to account information associated with the client. The database server releasably retains the account information, and has a task program to generate executable and transferable tasks for use in configuring the predetermined system files. A relay server is preferably provided to enable the interactive server and the database to communicate with one another, preferably through a controller. The controller enables the client to selectably add, remove, or modify the services available from the server daemon by manipulating the account information.

Claims

1. A system for automatically configuring a server daemon to provide a service to a client, the system comprising:

at least one interactive server, the at least one interactive server having a predetermined system configuration file and a server daemon, the predetermined system configuration file being used to make a service available to the client through the server daemon,

a database server having a program to generate executable and transferable tasks that are used to configure the predetermined system configuration file of the at least one interactive server to make the service available to the client as desired,

a relay server to enable the at least one interactive server to selectably communicate with the database server,

an external communications link to enable the client to access the service available from the at least one interactive server, and

whereby the at least one interactive server contacts the database server to obtain the tasks so that the predetermined configuration system file can be configured to make the service available to the client as desired.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a controller to enable the client to communicate with the at least one interactive server to add, modify or change the service available to the client.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the relay server comprises at least one communications daemon to relay communications between the at least one interactive server and the database server.

4. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the relay server is used to selectably relay communications between and among the client, the controller, the at least one interactive server and the database server at the same or at different times.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the relay server comprises a communications program and a communications daemon to enable the at least one interactive server, the database server, and the controller to communicate with one another.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the communications daemon is programmed to selectably relay, receive and transmit communications using different protocols.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the relay server further comprises a filtering system to filter communications going to or coming from the database servers.

8. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the communications daemon is encrypted.

9. A system for automatically configuring a client-server network to provide a service to a client in communication with the system, wherein the system comprises:

an interactive server having a system configuration file and a server daemon, the system configuration file being used to make a service available to the client through the server daemon,

a database server in communication with said interactive server, the database server having a program to generate executable and transferable tasks that are used to configure the system configuration file of said interactive server to make the service available to the client,

a relay network for selectably relaying communications between said interactive server the database server, and

whereby said interactive server communicates with said database server to obtain the tasks to configure the configuration system file in order to make the service available to the client as desired.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the relay network comprises a relay server for selectably relaying communications between said interactive server and said database server.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the relay network comprises a plurality of relay servers, wherein each relay server is in communication with each other.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein each relay server comprises a programmable communications daemon to relay communications between said interactive server and said database server.

13. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the relay network is used to communicate multiple client-server networks with one another.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the relay network further comprises a plurality of relay servers, each relay server having a separate programmable communications daemon to relay communications with other relay servers using a desired protocol.

15. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the communications daemon of each relay sever uses a different protocol.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said interactive server is part of a first network and said database server is part of a second network, wherein said first network and said second network are in communication with one another through the relay network.

17. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the plurality of relay servers enable a plurality of clients to communicate with said interactive server.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a controller associated with said interactive server to enable the client to access, add, and modify the service being provided by said interactive server.

19. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said plurality of relay servers enable multiple clients to access the service being provided by said interactive server through said controller.

20. A system for automatically configuring a client-server network to provide a service to a client in communication with the system, wherein the system comprises:

a plurality of discrete interactive servers, each interactive server having a system configuration file and a server daemon, the system configuration file being used to make a service available to the client through the server daemon,

a plurality of discrete database servers in communication with one or more of said interactive servers, each database server having a program to generate executable and transferable tasks that are used to configure the system configuration file of said interactive server to make the service available to the client,

a relay network for selectably relaying communications between and among one or more of the interactive servers and the database server, and

whereby each of the interactive servers selectively communicate with one or more of the database servers to obtain the tasks to configure the configuration system file in order to make the service available to the client as desired.

21. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the server daemon of each of the interactive servers is programmable to manipulate and configure the configuration files running on the interactive server to add or modify the service that is available from the interactive server.

22. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein each server daemon is programmable to deliver a different service to the client.

23. The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the server daemon of each interactive server is used to invoke or manipulate application software running on a different one of the plurality of interactive servers.

24. A system for automatically configuring a server daemon in a client-server network for delivering a service to a client, the system comprising:

an interactive server having a server daemon for making a service available to a client and having an operating system, said server daemon being programmed to automatically locate, manipulate and configure said predetermined system configuration file to make the service available to the client relative to account information associated with the client,

an extemal database server to releasably retain the account information, said database server having a task program to generate executable and transferable tasks for use in making the service available to the client, said tasks being generated based upon the account information,

a relay servef having a communications daemon to enable said interactive server to selectably contact and interact with said database server to receive the tasks therefrom, wherein the client is in communication with the interactive server through said relay network to access the service, and said communications daemon having a given protocol for communicating with components in and external to said system;

a controller to enable the client to selectably add, remove, or modify the service available from said server daemon,

whereby said interactive server is in a given first network and said database server is in the same or a second network, wherein said database server transmits the tasks to said interactive server through the relay network after being contacted by said interactive server, such that said server daemon will locate and configure said predetermined configuration files, as necessary, relative to the tasks in order to setup, add or modify the service available to the client.

25. The system as claimed in claim 24, wherein said relay network comprises a relay server, wherein the communications daemon is an application program running on the relay server that is capable of listening for communications to and from the interactive server and the database server.

26. The system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the communications daemon utilizes a plurality of protocols for communicating with networks external to the system.