Method and system for maintaining synchronization between a local data cache and a data store

• US 7,496,607 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Issued: 02/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energetic Power Investment Limited
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Seitz, Edward F., Sollicito, Vincent L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis; Cheryl
• Application Number:
  US10/651,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20050050067A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,006 Days
• Field of Search: 707/10, 707/200, 707/1, 707/8, 707/104.1, 709/203
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9574 of access to content, e.g. by caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/142 Managing session states for stateless protocols; Signalling session states; State transitions; Keeping-state mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99938 Concurrency, e.g. lock management in shared database
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

A method and system for maintaining synchronization between a local data cache and a data store is disclosed. The method includes comparing first validation information and second validation information, and synchronizing first data stored in a local data cache with second data stored in a data store, if the comparison indicates that the synchronizing is needed.

Claims

1. A computer implemented apparatus comprising:

a local data cache comprising local validation information, wherein said local validation information relates to content of said local data cache;

a client operably coupled said local data cache, wherein said client is configured to compare said local validation information with current validation information from a data store, wherein said current validation information relates to content of said data store and said data store comprises a server;

an authentication database;

an authentication server, wherein said authentication server is operably coupled to said authentication database and communicatively coupled to said client, and wherein said authentication server is configured to authenticate said client using authentication information stored in said authentication database; and

if the comparison of said local validation information with said current validation information indicates that said local data cache is not synchronized with said data store, then said local data cache is synchronized with said data store by deleting said local validation information from said local data cache and writing said current validation information to said local data cache, wherein the client is operable to present a web-based application using the synchronized data in the local data cache.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said local data cache is one of a plurality of local data caches.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said local data caches corresponds to one of a plurality of users.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said local data cache is stored as a file in a directory structure of said client.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said local data cache is stored as a plurality of files in a directory structure of said client.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

said client is configured to compare said local validation information and current validation information.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a server, wherein said server is operably coupled to said data store, said server is communicatively coupled to said client, and said server is configured to serve data to said client from said data store.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said client, being configured to synchronize said local data cache with said data store, is configured to send synchronization information to said server.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said client is configured to generate said synchronization information, if said local validation information indicates that said local data cache is not synchronized with said data store, wherein said current validation information is received from said server.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said server is configured to serve said data from said data store in response to receiving said synchronization information.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a content server communicatively coupled to said client, wherein said content server is configured to generate said current validation information and to communicate said current validation information to said client.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said client is configured to receive said current validation information, and said client, being configured to determine if said local validation information indicates that said local data cache is not synchronized with said data store, is configured to compare said local validation information and said current validation information.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said client, being configured to synchronize said local data cache with said server data store, is configured to send synchronization information to said data server.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said client is configured to generate said synchronization information, if said local validation information does not match said current validation information, wherein said current validation information is received from said server.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said current validation information is generated using said authentication information.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said local validation information is generated using said authentication information.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said content server is configured to serve content to said client, and said data server is configured to serve said data from said server data store to said client.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said content is a web page, and said client is configured to populate a field of said web page using said data.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said field is one of a plurality of fields of said web page, and said client is configured to populate said fields using said data.

20. A computer implemented apparatus comprising:

a local data cache, wherein said local data cache comprises local validation information, wherein said local validation information relates to content of said local data cache;

a server, wherein said server is communicatively coupled to said local data cache, said server is operatively coupled to a data store comprising current validation information, said server is configured to compare said local validation information with said current validation information, wherein said current validation information relates to content of said data store and said data store comprises a server data store;

an authentication database;

an authentication server, wherein said authentication server is operably coupled to said authentication database and communicatively coupled to a client, and wherein said authentication server is configured to authenticate said client using authentication information stored in said authentication database; and

if comparison of said local validation information with said current validation information indicates that said local cache is not synchronized with said data store, then said local data cache synchronizes with said data store by deleting said local validation information from said local data cache and writing said current validation information to said local data cache, wherein the local data cache provides the synchronized data to said client for presentation of a web-based application.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said server is configured to compare said local validation information and current validation information.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said server is configured to use synchronization information.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said server is configured to generate said synchronization information, if said local validation information indicates that said local data cache is not synchronized with said data store.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said server is configured to serve data from said data store in response to receiving said synchronization information.

25. A computer-implemented method comprising:

comparing first validation information and second validation information, wherein at least one of the first and second validation information relates to a current content of data; and

if said comparing indicates said synchronizing is needed, then synchronizing first data stored in a local data cache with second data stored in a data store by deleting said first data from said local data cache and writing said second data to said local data cache, wherein the second data stored in the local data cache after synchronization is used to present a web-based application;

authenticating a user of said client, wherein

said authenticating is performed by an authentication server communicatively coupled to said client, and

said authenticating comprises

storing authentication information for said user in an authentication database operably coupled to said authentication server, if said authenticating is successful; and

sending a reguest request for content to a content server, wherein said authentication server is communicatively coupled to said content server.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

receiving said first validation information.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein

said local data cache comprises said second validation information.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said synchronizing comprises:

deleting said local data cache; and

writing a new local data cache.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein

said receiving said first validation information is performed by a client,

said client is communicatively coupled to said a server,

said synchronizing comprises sending synchronization information to said server, and

said data store is operably coupled to said server.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

storing said local data cache as a file in a directory structure of said client.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

storing said local data cache as a plurality of files in a directory structure of said client.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said synchronizing comprises:

deleting a one of said files, and

writing a new file, wherein said file is another of said files.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein said synchronizing further comprises:

receiving said second data from said server, and

storing said second data in said local data cache.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said synchronizing further comprises:

causing said server to read said second data from said data store.

35. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

causing a content server to generate said first validation information from authentication information available to said content server.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

sending a request for content to said content server.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

causing said content server to send a response to said request for content,

wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein said synchronizing comprises:

sending said first synchronization information to a data server, wherein

said client is communicatively coupled said data server,

said data store is operably coupled to said data server, and

a response to said request for content from said content server comprises said first validation information.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said synchronizing further comprises:

receiving said second data from said data server; and

storing said second data in said local data cache.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein said synchronizing further comprises:

causing said data server to read said second data from said data store.

41. The method of claim 26, wherein

said local data cache is operably coupled to a client, and

said client is configured to perform said receiving, said comparing and said synchronizing.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein said synchronizing comprises:

sending synchronization information to a server, wherein said client is communicatively coupled said server, and said data store is operably coupled to said server.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein said local data cache comprises said second validation information.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

sending a request for content to a content server.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

causing said content server to generate said first validation information from authentication information available to said content server.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

causing said content server to send a response to said request for content, wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein said synchronizing comprises:

sending said first synchronization information to a data server, wherein said client is communicatively coupled said data server, said data store is operably coupled to said data server, and a response to said request for content from said content server comprises said first validation information.

48. The method of claim 26, wherein said local data cache is operably coupled to a client, said client is communicatively coupled to a server, and said server is configured to perform said receiving, said comparing and said synchronizing.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein said synchronizing comprises:

receiving synchronization information at said server, wherein said data store is operably coupled to said server.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein said synchronizing further comprises:

sending said second data to said client; and

causing said client to store said second data in said local data cache.

51. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

receiving a request for content at said server.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

generating said first validation information from authentication information available to said server.

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising:

sending a response to said request for content, wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein said synchronizing comprises:

receiving said first synchronization information at said server, wherein said data store is operably coupled to said server, and a response to said request for content from said server comprises said first validation information.

55. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

causing said content server to send a response to said request for content,

wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising:

causing said authentication server to communicate said authentication information to said content server; and

causing said content server to generate said first validation information using said authentication information.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein said synchronizing comprises:

sending said first synchronization information to a data server, wherein said client is communicatively coupled said data server, and said data store is operably coupled to said data server.

58. A computer system comprising:

a processor;

computer readable storage medium coupled to said processor; and

computer code, encoded in said computer readable storage medium, configured to cause said processor to;

compare first validation information and second validation information, wherein at least one of the first and second validation information relates to a current content of data; and

if said comparing indicates said synchronizing is needed, then synchronize first data stored in a local data cache with second data stored in a data store by causing said processor to delete said first data from said local data cache and write said second data to said local data cache, wherein the second data stored in the local data cache after synchronization is used to present a web-based application;

cause a user of said client to be authenticated, wherein said authentication is performed by an authentication server communicatively coupled to said client, and

store authentication information for said user in an authentication database operably coupled to said authentication server, if said authentication is successful; and

send a request for content to a content server, wherein said authentication server is communicatively coupled to said content server.

59. The computer system of claim 58, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

receive said first validation information.

60. The computer system of claim 59, wherein said local data cache comprises said second validation information.

61. The computer system of claim 59, wherein said computer code configured to cause said processor to synchronize is further configured to cause said processor to:

delete said local data cache, and

write a new local data cache.

62. The computer system of claim 59, wherein said computer system is a client, said client is communicatively coupled to a server, said synchronizing comprises sending synchronization information to said server, and said data store is operably coupled to said server.

63. The computer system of claim 62, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

store said local data cache as a file in a directory structure of said client.

64. The computer system of claim 62, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

store said local data cache as a plurality of files in a directory structure of said client.

65. The computer system of claim 64, wherein said computer code configured to cause said processor to synchronize is further configured to cause said processor to:

delete a one of said files; and

write a new file, wherein said file is another of said files.

66. The computer system of claim 62, wherein said computer code configured to cause said processor to synchronize is further configured to cause said processor to:

receive said second data from said server; and

store said second data in said local data cache.

67. The computer system of claim 66, wherein said computer code configured to cause said processor to synchronize is further configured to cause said processor to:

cause said server to read said second data from said data store.

68. The computer system of claim 59, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

cause a content server to generate said first validation information from authentication information available to said content server.

69. The computer system of claim 68, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

send a request for content to said content server.

70. The computer system of claim 69, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

cause said content server to send a response to said request for content, wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

71. The computer system of claim 69, wherein said computer code configured to cause said processor to synchronize is further configured to cause said processor to:

send said first synchronization information to a data server, wherein said client is communicatively coupled said data server, said data store is operably coupled to said data server, and a response to said request for content from said content server comprises said first validation information.

72. The computer system of claim 71, wherein said computer code configured to cause said processor to synchronize is further configured to cause said processor to:

receive said second data from said data server, and store said second data in said local data cache.

73. The computer system of claim 72, wherein said computer code configured to cause said processor to synchronize is further configured to cause said processor to:

cause said data server to read said second data from said data store.

74. The computer system of claim 59, wherein said local data cache is operably coupled to a client, and said client comprises said computer code configured to cause said processor to receive, compare and synchronize.

75. The computer system of claim 74, wherein said computer code configured to cause said processor to synchronize is further configured to cause said processor to:

send synchronization information to a server, wherein said client is communicatively coupled said server, and said data store is operably coupled to said server.

76. The computer system of claim 74, wherein said local data cache comprises said second validation information.

77. The computer system of claim 76, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

send a request for content to a content server.

78. The computer system of claim 77, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

cause said content server to generate said first validation information from authentication information available to said content server.

79. The computer system of claim 78, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

cause said content server to send a response to said request for content, wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

80. The computer system of claim 77, wherein said computer code configured to cause said processor to synchronize is further configured to cause said processor to:

send said first synchronization information to a data server, wherein said client is communicatively coupled said data server, said data store is operably coupled to said data server, and a response to said request for content from said content server comprises said first validation information.

81. The computer system of claim 59, wherein said local data cache is operably coupled to a client, said client is communicatively coupled to a server, and said server comprises said computer code configured to cause said processor to receive, compare and synchronize.

82. The computer system of claim 81, wherein said computer code configured to cause said processor to synchronize is further configured to cause said processor to:

receive synchronization information, wherein said data store is operably coupled to said server.

83. The computer system of claim 82, wherein said computer code configured to cause said processor to synchronize is further configured to cause said processor to:

send said second data to said client; and

cause said client to store said second data in said local data cache.

84. The computer system of claim 82, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

receive a request for content.

85. The computer system of claim 84, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

generate said first validation information from authentication information available to said server.

86. The computer system of claim 85, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

send a response to said request for content, wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

87. The computer system of claim 84, wherein said computer code configured to cause said processor to synchronize is further configured to cause said processor to:

receive said first synchronization information at said server, wherein said data store is operably coupled to said server, and a response to said request for content from said server comprises said first validation information.

88. The computer system of claim 58, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

cause said content server to send a response to said request for content, wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

89. The computer system of claim 88, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

cause said authentication server to communicate said authentication information to said content server; and

cause said content server to generate said first validation information using said authentication information.

90. The computer system of claim 89, wherein said computer code configured to cause said processor to synchronize is further configured to cause said processor to:

send said first synchronization information to a data server, wherein said client is communicatively coupled said data server, and said data store is operably coupled to said data server.

91. A computer program product executed on a computer system comprising:

a first set of instructions, executable on a computer system, configured to compare a first validation information and a second validation information, wherein at least one of the first and second validation information relates to a current content of data;

a second set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to synchronize first data stored in a local data cache with second data stored in a data store when said comparing indicates said synchronizing is needed, wherein the second set of instructions comprise a first subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to delete said first data from said local data cache and a second subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to write said second data to said local data cache;

computer readable storage media, wherein said computer program product is encoded in said computer readable storage media, wherein the second data stored in the local data cache after synchronization is used to present a web-based application;

a fourth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to cause a user of a client to be authenticated, wherein said computer program product is resident on a client, said authentication is performed by an authentication server communicatively coupled to said client;

a fifth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to store authentication information for said user in an authentication database operably coupled to said authentication server, if said authentications is successful; and

a sixth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to send a request for content to a content server, wherein said authentication server is communicatively coupled to said content server.

92. The computer program product of claim 91, further comprising:

a third set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to receive said first validation information.

93. The computer program product of claim 92, wherein said local data cache comprises said second validation information.

94. The computer program product of claim 92, wherein said second set of instructions comprises:

a first subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to delete said local data cache; and

a second subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to write a new local data cache.

95. The computer program product of claim 92, wherein said computer program product is resident on a client, said client is communicatively coupled to a server, said synchronizing comprises sending synchronization information to said server, and said data store is operably coupled to said server.

96. The computer program product of claim 95, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to store said local data cache as a file in a directory structure of said client.

97. The computer program product of claim 95, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to store said local data cache as a plurality of files in a directory structure of said client.

98. The computer program product of claim 97, wherein said second set of instructions comprises:

a first subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to delete a one of said files; and

a second subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to write a new file, wherein said file is another of said files.

99. The computer program product of claim 95, wherein said second set of instructions comprises:

a first subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to receive said second data from said server; and

a second subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to store said second data in said local data cache.

100. The computer program product of claim 99, wherein said second set of instructions comprises:

a third subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to cause said server to read said second data from said data store.

101. The computer program product of claim 92, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to cause a content server to generate said first validation information from authentication information available to said content server.

102. The computer program product of claim 101, further comprising:

a fifth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to send a request for content to said content server.

103. The computer program product of claim 102, further comprising:

a sixth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to cause said content server to send a response to said request for content, wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

104. The computer program product of claim 103, wherein said second set of instructions comprises:

a first subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to send said first synchronization information to a data server, wherein said client is communicatively coupled said data server, said data store is operably coupled to said data server, and a response to said request for content from said content server comprises said first validation information.

105. The computer program product of claim 104, wherein said second set of instructions comprises:

a second subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to receive said second data from said data server; and

a third subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to store said second data in said local data cache.

106. The computer program product of claim 105, wherein said second set of instructions comprises:

a fourth subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to cause said data server to read said second data from said data store.

107. The computer program product of claim 92, wherein said local data cache is operably coupled to a client, and said client executes said first, said second and said third sets of instructions.

108. The computer program product of claim 107, wherein said second set of instructions comprises:

a first subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to send synchronization information to a server, wherein said client is communicatively coupled said server, and said data store is operably coupled to said server.

109. The computer program product of claim 107, wherein said local data cache comprises said second validation information.

110. The computer program product of claim 109, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to send a request for content to a content server.

111. The computer program product of claim 110, further comprising:

a fifth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to cause said content server to generate said first validation information from authentication information available to said content server.

112. The computer program product of claim 111, further comprising:

a sixth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to cause said content server to send a response to said request for content, wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

113. The computer program product of claim 110, wherein said second set of instructions comprises:

a first subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to send said first synchronization information to a data server, wherein said client is communicatively coupled said data server, said data store is operably coupled to said data server, and

a response to said request for content from said content server comprises said first validation information.

114. The computer program product of claim 92, wherein said local data cache is operably coupled to a client, said client is communicatively coupled to a server, and said server executes said first, said second and said third sets of instructions.

115. The computer program product of claim 114, wherein said second set of instructions comprises:

a first subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to receive synchronization information, wherein said data store is operably coupled to said server.

116. The computer program product of claim 115, wherein said second set of instructions comprises:

a second subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to send said second data to said client; and

a third subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to cause said client to store said second data in said local data cache.

117. The computer program product of claim 115, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to receive a request for content.

118. The computer program product of claim 117, further comprising:

a fifth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to generate said first validation information from authentication information available to said server.

119. The computer program product of claim 118, further comprising:

a sixth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to send a response to said request for content, wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

120. The computer program product of claim 117, wherein said second set of instructions comprises:

a first subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to receive synchronization information, wherein said data store is operably coupled to said server, and a response to said request for content from said server comprises said first validation information.

121. The computer program product of claim 91, further comprising:

a seventh set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to cause said content server to send a response to said request for content, wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

122. The computer program product of claim 121, further comprising:

a eighth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to cause said authentication server to communicate said authentication information to said content server; and

a ninth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to cause said content server to generate said first validation information using said authentication information.

123. The computer program product of claim 122, wherein said second set of instructions comprises:

a first subset of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to send said first synchronization information to a data server, wherein said client is communicatively coupled said data server, and said data store is operably coupled to said data server.

124. A computer implemented apparatus comprising:

means for comparing first validation information and second validation information, wherein at least one of the first and second validation information relates to a current content of data; and

means for synchronizing first data stored in a local data cache with second data stored in a data store when said comparing indicates said synchronizing is needed, wherein the means for synchronizing includes a means for deleting said first data from said local data cache and a means for writing said second data to said local data cache, and wherein the second data stored in the local data cache after synchronization is used to present a web-based application;

means for authenticating a user of said client, wherein said means for authenticating is performed by an authentication server communicatively coupled to said client, and said means for authenticating comprises means for storing authentication information for said user in an authentication database operably coupled to said authentication server, if said authenticating is successful; and

means for sending a reguest request for content to a content server, wherein said authentication server is communicatively coupled to said content server.

125. The apparatus of claim 124, further comprising:

means for receiving said first validation information.

126. The apparatus of claim 125, wherein said local data cache comprises said second validation information.

127. The apparatus of claim 125, wherein said means for synchronizing comprises:

means for deleting said local data cache; and

means for writing a new local data cache.

128. The apparatus of claim 125, wherein a client comprises said means for receiving said first validation information, said client is communicatively coupled to said a server, said means for synchronizing comprises means for sending synchronization information to said server, and said data store is operably coupled to said server.

129. The apparatus of claim 128, further comprising:

means for storing said local data cache as a file in a directory structure of said client.

130. The apparatus of claim 128, further comprising:

means for storing said local data cache as a plurality of files in a directory structure of said client.

131. The apparatus of claim 130, wherein said means for synchronizing comprises:

means for deleting a one of said files; and

means for writing a new file, wherein said file is another of said files.

132. The apparatus of claim 128, wherein said means for synchronizing further comprises:

means for receiving said second data from said server; and

means for storing said second data in said local data cache.

133. The apparatus of claim 132, wherein said means for synchronizing further comprises:

means for causing said server to read said second data from said data store.

134. The apparatus of claim 125, further comprising:

means for causing a content server to generate said first validation information from authentication information available to said content server.

135. The apparatus of claim 134, further comprising:

means for sending a request for content to said content server.

136. The apparatus of claim 135, further comprising:

means for causing said content server to send a response to said request for content, wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

137. The apparatus of claim 135, wherein said means for synchronizing comprises:

means for sending said first synchronization information to a data server, wherein said client is communicatively coupled said data server, said data store is operably coupled to said data server, and a response to said request for content from said content server comprises said first validation information.

138. The apparatus of claim 137, wherein said means for synchronizing further comprises:

means for receiving said second data from said data server, and

means for storing said second data in said local data cache.

139. The apparatus of claim 138, wherein said means for synchronizing further comprises:

means for causing said data server to read said second data from said data store.

140. The apparatus of claim 125, wherein said local data cache is operably coupled to a client, and said client comprises said means for receiving, said means for comparing and said means for synchronizing.

141. The apparatus of claim 140, wherein said means for synchronizing comprises:

means for sending synchronization information to a server, wherein said client is communicatively coupled said server, and said data store is operably coupled to said server.

142. The apparatus of claim 140, wherein said local data cache comprises said second validation information.

143. The apparatus of claim 142, further comprising:

means for sending a request for content to a content server.

144. The apparatus of claim 143, further comprising:

means for causing said content server to generate said first validation information from authentication information available to said content server.

145. The apparatus of claim 144, further comprising:

means for causing said content server to send a response to said request for content, wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

146. The apparatus of claim 143, wherein said means for synchronizing comprises:

means for sending said first synchronization information to a data server, wherein said client is communicatively coupled said data server, said data store is operably coupled to said data server, and a response to said request for content from said content server comprises said first validation information.

147. The apparatus of claim 125, wherein said local data cache is operably coupled to a client, said client is communicatively coupled to a server, and said server comprises said means for receiving, said means for comparing and said means for synchronizing.

148. The apparatus of claim 147, wherein said means for synchronizing comprises:

means for receiving synchronization information at said server, wherein said data store is operably coupled to said server.

149. The apparatus of claim 148, wherein said means for synchronizing further comprises:

means for sending said second data to said client; and

means for causing said client to store said second data in said local data cache.

150. The apparatus of claim 148, further comprising:

means for receiving a request for content at said server.

151. The apparatus of claim 150, further comprising:

means for generating said first validation information from authentication information available to said content server.

152. The apparatus of claim 151, further comprising:

means for sending a response to said request for content, wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

153. The apparatus of claim 150, wherein said means for synchronizing comprises:

means for receiving said first synchronization information at said server, wherein said data store is operably coupled to said server, and a response to said request for content from said server comprises said first validation information.

154. The apparatus of claim 124, further comprising:

means for causing said content server to send a response to said request for content, wherein said response to said request for content comprises said first validation information.

155. The apparatus of claim 154, further comprising:

means for causing said authentication server to communicate said authentication information to said content server, and

means for causing said content server to generate said first validation information using said authentication information.

156. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein said means for synchronizing comprises:

means for sending said first synchronization information to a data server, wherein said client is communicatively coupled said data server, and said data store is operably coupled to said data server.