Network and method for implementing network platform services for a computing device

• US 20050256952A1
• Filed: 07/20/2005
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Jeffrey, Mark T., Mouhanna, Joseph H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,523,172 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0856 by backing up or archiving configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0883 Semiautomatic configuration, e.g. proposals from system
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/133 Protocols for remote procedure calls [RPC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416

Abstract

A network provides computer services to users and has a centralized data center (CDC) and regional data centers (RDCs) coupled to the CDC. Each RDC is coupled to a plurality of users and maintains for each associated user back up storage. Each user has a user machine with user data stored thereon, and such user data is automatically mirrored to the associated back up storage on the RDC. Each RDC maintains for each associated user a user profile corresponding to the user, and each user and each RDC has a physical location. A user newly couples to the network by contacting the CDC at a network address thereof and receiving from the CDC a network address of an RDC based at least in part on the location of the user. The RDC of the received network address maintains the user profile for the user, and the location of such RDC is expected to be relatively close to the location of the user as compared with the location of all other RDCs. Once coupled to the network, the user receives from the RDC a list of servers to use for services provided by the network for the user. The list of servers is obtained from the user profile for the user and comprises a list of corresponding network addresses. An application at a first network location may issue a command to a client at a second network location.

Claims

1-6. -6. (canceled)

7. A method for a user coupled to a network, the network for providing network services to users and comprising:

a centralized data center (CDC); and

a plurality of regional data centers (RDCs) operatively coupled to the CDC, each RDC being operatively coupled to a plurality of users by way of a communications network, each RDC maintaining for each associated user a user profile corresponding to the user,

the method comprising;

contacting the RDC;

requesting from the RDC a list of servers to use for services provided by the network for the user;

receiving the list of servers; and

displaying corresponding service icons on an associated user display,

the method further comprising, upon the user selecting a displayed icon;

contacting the RDC to determine whether a corresponding service as installed on an associated user machine needs to be updated; and

if so,

downloading an update for the service from the associated LDC; and

installing the update on the machine,

wherein the list of servers is obtained from the user profile for the user and comprises a list of corresponding network addresses.

8. The method of claim 7 comprising, upon receiving the list of servers, employing such list to connect to appropriate servers for network services subscribed to by the user.

9-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A computer-executable medium having computer-readable instructions thereon for implementing a method for a user coupled to a network, the network for providing network services to users and comprising:

a centralized data center (CDC);

a plurality of regional data centers (RDCs) operatively coupled to the CDC, each RDC being operatively coupled to a plurality of users by way of a communications network, each RDC maintaining for each associated user a user profile corresponding to the user; and

a plurality of local data centers (LDCs), each LDC being associated with a particular RDC and being operatively coupled to such particular RDC, each LDC being operatively coupled to a plurality of users by way of a broad-band communications network such that each user is associated with the particular RDC of the LDC and such that the particular RDC maintains for each associated user a user profile corresponding to the user,

the instructions comprising modules including;

a first module for contacting the RDC;

a second module for requesting from the RDC a list of servers to use for services provided by the network for the user;

a third module for receiving the list of servers; and

a fourth module for, upon receiving the list of servers, displaying corresponding service icons on an associated user display,

the instructions further comprising modules including, upon the user selecting a displayed icon;

a fifth module for contacting the RDC to determine whether a corresponding service as installed on an associated user machine needs to be updated; and

if so,

a sixth module for downloading an update for the service from the associated LDC; and

a seventh module for installing the update on the machine,

wherein the list of servers is obtained from the user profile for the user and comprises a list of corresponding network addresses.

21. The medium of claim 20 comprising a fourth module for, upon receiving the list of servers, employing such list to connect to appropriate servers for network services subscribed to by the user.

22-30. -30. (canceled)

31. A computer having computer-readable instructions thereon for implementing a method for a user coupled to a network, the network for providing network services to users and comprising:

a centralized data center (CDC);

a plurality of regional data centers (RDCs) operatively coupled to the CDC, each RDC being operatively coupled to a plurality of users by way of a communications network, each RDC maintaining for each associated user a user profile corresponding to the user; and

a plurality of local data centers (LDCs), each LDC being associated with a particular RDC and being operatively coupled to such particular RDC, each LDC being operatively coupled to a plurality of users by way of a broad-band communications network such that each user is associated with the particular RDC of the LDC and such that the particular RDC maintains for each associated user a user profile corresponding to the user,

the instructions comprising modules including;

a first module contacting the RDC;

a second module requesting from the RDC a list of servers to use for services provided by the network for the user;

a third module receiving the list of servers; and

a fourth module, upon receiving the list of servers, displaying corresponding service icons on an associated user display,

the instructions further comprising modules including, upon the user selecting a displayed icon;

a fifth module contacting the RDC to determine whether a corresponding service as installed on an associated user machine needs to be updated; and

if so,

a sixth module downloading an update for the service from the associated LDC; and

a seventh module installing the update on the machine,

wherein the list of servers is obtained from the user profile for the user and comprises a list of corresponding network addresses.

32. The computer of claim 31 comprising a fourth module, upon receiving the list of servers, employing such list to connect to appropriate servers for network services subscribed to by the user.

33-51. -51. (canceled)