Technique for configuring network deliverable pluggable components for deployment

• US 7,206,824 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2000
• Issued: 04/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Somashekar, Parvathi, Delisle, Pierre, Burrowes, David John
• Primary Examiner(s): PWU, JEFFREY C
• Application Number:
  US09/733,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20020116477A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,322 Days
• Field of Search: 709/220, 709/221, 709/250, 709/201, 709/203, 709/213, 709/216, 709223-226, 709/208, 709/237, 709/317, 709/320, 709/328, 709/225, 709/219, 709/228, 709/227, 700/2, 455/442, 718/100, 710/1, 710/8, 710/301, 710/302, 717/174
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files

Abstract

Embodiments of a Bundle Configuration Utility (BCU) for configuring network deliverable pluggable components for deployment in embedded servers are described. Preferences of a pluggable component may be accessed at runtime on the embedded server. The BCU may enable the configuration of the preferences prior to distribution. The BCU may provide functions including, but not limited to: providing a list of preferences; allowing preference values to be changed; updating the preferences in the pluggable component; creating a new pluggable component with a new set of preferences; and resetting the preferences in the pluggable component to default values. In one embodiment, pluggable components may be configured using a graphical user interface of the BCU. In one embodiment, the BCU may include a command line interface with commands for configuring pluggable components. In one embodiment, multiple pluggable components may be configured by the BCU in batch mode.

Claims

1. A method for configuring pluggable components, the method comprising:

configuring preference values for one or more pluggable components on a first device; and

distributing the one or more pluggable components to one or more other devices via a network subsequent to said configuring;

wherein the one or more pluggable components are executable within the one or more other devices in accordance with the configured preference values to provide services to users of the one or more other devices.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said configuring preference values for one or more pluggable components on a first device comprises:

receiving user input to a graphical user interface of the first device; and

modifying the preference values of a first of the one or more pluggable components in accordance with the received user input.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising displaying on the graphical user interface a current value of each of the preference values of the first pluggable component, wherein the received user input changes one or more of the displayed current values.

4. The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising validating the received user input prior to said modifying the preference values.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said configuring preference values for one or more pluggable components on a first device comprises:

receiving user input to a command line interface of the first device; and

modifying the preference values of a first of the one or more pluggable components in accordance with the received user input.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the received user input specifies one or more of the preference values of the first pluggable component and a new value for each of the specified preference values.

7. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising validating the received user input prior to said modifying the preference values.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said configuring preference values of one or more pluggable components on a first device comprises modifying one or more of the preference values of at least one of the one or more pluggable components.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising initializing each of the preference values of each of the one or more pluggable components to a default value for the preference value prior to said configuring.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more pluggable components is a plurality of pluggable components, wherein each of the plurality of pluggable components are copies of a first pluggable component.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the one or more other devices is a plurality of devices, wherein said configuring preference values comprises modifying the preference values for each of the plurality of pluggable components for execution within a corresponding one of the plurality of devices.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein said distributing comprises sending each of the plurality of pluggable components to the corresponding one of the plurality of devices via the network.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said configuring preference values for one or more pluggable components on a first device comprises:

generating a batch file comprising one or more configuration entries for the one or more pluggable components, wherein each configuration entry includes;

information specifying one of the one or more pluggable components;

information specifying one of the preference values for the specified pluggable component; and

a new value for the specified preference value; and

executing the batch file on the first device;

wherein said executing the batch file comprises executing each of the one or more configuration entries in the batch file, wherein each of the one or more configuration entries sets the specified preference value for the specified pluggable component to the new value of the configuration entry when executed.

14. The method as recited in claim 13,

wherein the batch file further comprises one or more distribution entries, wherein each distribution entry includes:

information specifying one of the one or more pluggable components; and

information specifying one of the one or more other devices as a destination device for the specified pluggable component;

wherein said executing the batch file comprises executing each of the one or more distribution entries in the batch file; and

wherein said executing each of the one or more distribution entries comprises sending the specified pluggable component to the specified destination device via the network.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more pluggable components comprises a preferences file comprising the preference values associated with the pluggable component.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the preferences files are Java programming language Properties files.

17. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more other devices comprise an embedded server, wherein the one or more pluggable components are executable within the embedded server of each of the one or more other devices.

18. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the embedded servers include Java Embedded Servers.

19. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the pluggable components are Java Archive (JAR) files.

20. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the network is the Internet.

21. A system comprising:

a first device; and

a plurality of devices operable to couple to the first device via a network;

wherein the first device is configured to;

configure preference values for a plurality of pluggable components in accordance with user input; and

distribute the plurality of pluggable components to the plurality of devices via the network subsequent to said configuring and in response to user input; and

wherein the plurality of pluggable components are executable within the plurality of devices in accordance with the configured preference values to provide services to users of the plurality of devices.

22. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the first device comprises a display component, wherein, in said configuring preference values for a plurality of pluggable components, the first device is further configured to:

display in a graphical user interface on the display component a current value of each of the preference values of a first of the plurality of pluggable components;

receive user input to the graphical user interface changing one or more of the displayed current values; and

modify the preference values of the first pluggable component in accordance with the received user input.

23. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the first device further comprises a display component, wherein, in said configuring preference values for a plurality of pluggable components, the first device is further configured to:

receive user input to a command line interface on the display component of the device, wherein the user input specifies one or more of the preference values of the first pluggable component and a new value for each of the specified preference values; and

modify the preference values of a first of the plurality of pluggable components in accordance with the received user input.

24. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the processor is further operable to initialize each of the preference values of each of the plurality of pluggable components to a default value for the preference value prior to said configuring, and wherein, in said configuring preference values of the plurality of pluggable components, the first device is further configured to modify one or more of the default preference values of at least one of the plurality of pluggable components.

25. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of pluggable components are copies of a first pluggable component, wherein, in said configuring preference values, the first device is further configured to customize the preference values for each of the plurality of pluggable components for execution within a corresponding one of the plurality of devices.

26. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein, in said distributing, the first device is further configured to send each of the plurality of pluggable components to the corresponding one of the plurality of devices via the network.

27. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein, in said configuring preference values for a plurality of pluggable components, the first device is further configured to:

generate a batch file comprising one or more configuration entries for the plurality of pluggable components in response to user input, wherein each configuration entry includes;

information specifying one of the plurality of pluggable components;

information specifying one of the preference values for the specified pluggable component; and

a new value for the specified preference value; and

execute the batch file;

wherein, in said executing the batch file, the first device is further configured to execute each of the one or more configuration entries in the batch file, wherein each of the one or more configuration entries sets the specified preference value for the specified pluggable component to the new value of the configuration entry when executed.

28. The system as recited in claim 27,

wherein the batch file further comprises one or more distribution entries, wherein each distribution entry includes:

information specifying one of the plurality of pluggable components; and

information specifying one of the plurality of devices as a destination device for the specified pluggable component;

wherein, in said executing the batch file, the first device is further configured to execute each of the one or more distribution entries in the batch file; and

wherein, in said executing each of the one or more distribution entries, the first device is further configured to send the specified pluggable component to the specified destination device via the network.

29. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of pluggable components comprises a preferences file comprising the preference values associated with the pluggable component.

30. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the preferences files are Java programming language Properties files.

31. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of devices comprise an embedded server, wherein the plurality of pluggable components are executable within the embedded servers of the plurality of devices.

32. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein the embedded servers include Java Embedded Servers.

33. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the pluggable components are Java Archive (JAR) files.

34. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the network is the Internet.

35. A device comprising:

a memory configured to store program instructions;

an input device configured to receive user input; and

a processor configured to read the program instructions from the memory and to execute the program instructions, wherein, in response to execution of the program instructions, the processor is operable to;

configure preference values for one or more pluggable components on the device in accordance with received user input; and

distribute the one or more pluggable components to one or more other devices via a network subsequent to said configuring and in response to user input;

wherein the one or more pluggable components are executable within the one or more other devices in accordance with the configured preference values to provide services to users of the one or more other devices.

36. The device as recited in claim 35, further comprising:

a display component;

wherein, in said configuring preference values for one or more pluggable components, the processor is further operable to;

display in a graphical user interface on the display component a current value of each of the preference values of a first of the one or more pluggable components;

receive user input to the graphical user interface changing one or more of the displayed current values; and

modify the preference values of the first pluggable component in accordance with the received user input.

37. The device as recited in claim 35, further comprising:

a display component;

wherein, in said configuring preference values for one or more pluggable components, the processor is further operable to;

receive user input to a command line interface on the display component of the device, wherein the received user input specifies one or more of the preference values of the first pluggable component and a new value for each of the specified preference values; and

modify the preference values of a first of the one or more pluggable components in accordance with the received user input.

38. The device as recited in claim 35, wherein the processor is further operable to initialize each of the preference values of each of the one or more pluggable components to a default value for the preference value prior to said configuring.

39. The device as recited in claim 35, wherein the one or more pluggable components is a plurality of pluggable components, wherein each of the plurality of pluggable components are copies of a first pluggable component, wherein the one or more other devices is a plurality of devices, wherein, in said configuring preference values, the processor is further operable to modify the preference values for each of the plurality of pluggable components for execution within a corresponding one of the plurality of devices.

40. The device as recited in claim 39, wherein, in said distributing, the processor is further operable to send each of the plurality of pluggable components to the corresponding one of the plurality of devices via the network.

41. The device as recited in claim 35, wherein, in said configuring preference values for one or more pluggable components on a first device, the processor is further operable to:

generate a batch file comprising one or more configuration entries for the one or more pluggable components in response to user input, wherein each configuration entry includes;

information specifying one of the one or more pluggable components;

information specifying one of the preference values for the specified pluggable component; and

a new value for the specified preference value; and

execute the batch file;

wherein, in said executing the batch file, the processor is further operable to execute each of the one or more configuration entries in the batch file, wherein each of the one or more configuration entries sets the specified preference value for the specified pluggable component to the new value of the configuration entry when executed.

42. The device as recited in claim 35, wherein each of the one or more pluggable components comprises a preferences file comprising the preference values associated with the pluggable component.

43. The device as recited in claim 35, wherein the pluggable components are Java Archive (JAR) files.

44. The device as recited in claim 35, wherein the network is the Internet.

45. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

configuring preference values for one or more pluggable components; and

distributing the one or more pluggable components to one or more devices via a network subsequent to said configuring;

wherein the one or more pluggable components are executable within the one or more devices in accordance with the configured preference values to provide services to users of the one or more devices.

46. The carrier medium as recited in claim 45, wherein, in said configuring preference values for one or more pluggable components, the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement:

displaying on a graphical user interface a current value of each of the preference values of a first of the one or more pluggable components;

receiving user input to the graphical user interface, wherein the received user input changes one or more of the displayed current values; and

modifying the preference values of the first pluggable component in accordance with the received user input.

47. The carrier medium as recited in claim 45, wherein, in said configuring preference values for one or more pluggable components, the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement:

receiving user input to a command line interface, wherein the received user input specifies one or more of the preference values of a first of the one or more pluggable components and a new value for each of the specified preference values; and

modifying the preference values of the first pluggable component in accordance with the received user input.

48. The carrier medium as recited in claim 45, wherein the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement initializing each of the preference values of each of the one or more pluggable components to a default value for the preference value prior to said configuring.

49. The carrier medium as recited in claim 45, wherein the one or more pluggable components is a plurality of pluggable components, wherein each of the plurality of pluggable components are copies of a first pluggable component, wherein the one or more devices is a plurality of devices, wherein, in said configuring preference values, the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement modifying the preference values for each of the plurality of pluggable components for execution within a corresponding one of the plurality of devices.

50. The carrier medium as recited in claim 49, wherein, in said distributing, the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement sending each of the plurality of pluggable components to the corresponding one of the plurality of devices via the network.

51. The carrier medium as recited in claim 45, wherein, in said configuring preference values for one or more pluggable components, the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement:

generating a batch file comprising one or more configuration entries for the one or more pluggable components, wherein each configuration entry includes;

information specifying one of the one or more pluggable components;

information specifying one of the preference values for the specified pluggable component; and

a new value for the specified preference value; and

executing each of the one or more configuration entries in the batch file, wherein each of the one or more configuration entries sets the specified preference value for the specified pluggable component to the new value of the configuration entry when executed.

52. The carrier medium as recited in claim 45, wherein each of the one or more devices comprise an embedded server, wherein the one or more pluggable components are executable within the embedded server of each of the one or more devices.

53. The carrier medium as recited in claim 52, wherein the pluggable components are Java Archive (JAR) files.

54. The carrier medium as recited in claim 45, wherein the network is the Internet.