Global, dynamic, remote and central system for database driver configuration

• US 8,260,821 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2008
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Chang, David Wei-Jye, Lee, Bilung, Ostler, Paul Arnold
• Primary Examiner(s): Vital, Pierre
• Assistant Examiner(s): OBISESAN, AUGUSTINE KUNLE
• Application Number:
  US12/025,981
• Publication Number:
  US 20090199211A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 707/802
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product for database driver for the global, dynamic, remote and centralized configuration of database drivers. In an embodiment of the invention the system includes a remote controller host and a central controller disposed in the remote controller host. A plurality of application hosts and a plurality of applications are disposed in each of the application hosts. A single attachment agent is disposed in each of the application hosts, the single attachment agent being coupled to each of the plurality of applications in the application hosts. The central controller provides each of the attachment agents with information regarding how to connect the database driver to the central controller.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a processor;

a first application host, wherein said processor is in said first application host;

a first application in said first application host;

a first database driver coupled to said first application;

a first remote interface coupled to said first database driver for facilitating the configuration of said first database driver;

a central controller providing system-wide configuration information; and

a first attachment agent, wherein said first attachment agent executes in the first application host, said first attachment agent providing a connection between said first remote interface and said central controller, and wherein in response to a driver configuration property of global scope being modified on said central controller performing;

notifying by said central controller to all attachment agents executing in a plurality of application hosts of a new value for said driver configuration property of global scope; and

updating, by said first attachment agent, each installed application in said first application host with said new value for said driver configuration property of global scope, wherein, said central controller, using said first attachment agent and said first remote interface, changes the configuration of said database driver.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a second application in said first application host;

a second database driver coupled to said second application;

said second database driver having a second remote interface coupled thereto; and

said first attachment agent being coupled to said first and second remote interfaces, said first attachment agent providing a connection between said first and second remote interfaces and said central controller.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising:

a second application host;

a third application in said second application host;

a third database driver in said third application;

a third remote interface in said third database driver; and

a second attachment agent providing a connection between said third remote interface and said central controller.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said central controller specifies database driver configuration for first, second and third database drivers.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said central controller specifies changes in said database driver configuration for said first second and third database drivers.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said first application host has a single attachment agent.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said first attachment agent is configured to detect a new application in said first application host, attach to said new application and configure a new instance of said first database driver for said new application.

8. A database driver configuration system comprising:

a processor;

a remote controller host, wherein said processor is in said remote controller host;

a central controller disposed in said remote controller host;

a plurality of application hosts;

a plurality of applications disposed in each of said application hosts;

a single attachment agent disposed in each of said application hosts, said single attachment agent being coupled to each of said plurality of applications in said application hosts, wherein said central controller provides each of said attachment agents with information regarding how to connect said database driver to said central controller, wherein said single attachment agent is configured to detect a new application in a first application host, attach to said new application and configure a new instance of a database driver for said new application, and wherein in response to a driver configuration property of global scope being being modified on said central controller performing;

notifying by said central controller to all attachment agents executing in a plurality of application hosts of a new value for said driver configuration property of global scope; and

updating, by said first attachment agent, each installed application in said first application host with said new value for said driver configuration property of global scope, wherein, said central controller, using said first attachment agent and said first remote interface, changes the configuration of said database driver.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said central controller provides each of said attachment agents with reconfiguration information regarding changes in how to connect the database driver to said central controller.

10. A method of configuring a database driver comprising:

receiving configuration information in an attachment agent from a remote central controller, wherein said attachment agent executes in an application host, said attachment agent providing a connection between a remote interface in a database driver and said central controller, said attachment agent containing specific information regarding how to connect said database driver to said central controller;

starting a first instance of said database driver in a first application;

detecting a second application using said attachment agent;

attaching said attachment agent to said first application; and

configuring said first instance of said database driver using said attachment agent, and wherein in response to a driver configuration property of global scope being modified on said central controller performing;

notifying by said central controller to all attachment agents executing in a plurality of application hosts of a new value for said driver configuration property of global scope; and

updating, by said first attachment agent, each installed application in said first application host with said new value for said driver configuration property of global scope, wherein, said central controller, using said first attachment agent and said first remote interface, changes the configuration of said database driver.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said configuring comprises transferring configuration information from said attachment agent to a remote interface in said database driver.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

starting a second instance of said database driver in said second application;

attaching said attachment agent to said second application; and

configuring said second instance of said database driver using said attachment agent.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising reconfiguring said database driver, said reconfiguring comprising:

receiving reconfiguration information in said attachment agent; and

reconfiguring said first instance of said database driver using said attachment agent.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said receiving reconfiguration information comprises receiving reconfiguration information from a remote central controller.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said reconfiguring said database driver comprises transferring configuration information from said attachment agent to a remote interface in said database driver.

16. A storage having a computer readable program, wherein said computer readable program when executed by a processor causes said processor to:

receive configuration information in an attachment agent from a remote central controller, wherein said attachment agent executes in an application host, said attachment agent providing a connection between a remote interface in a database driver and said central controller, said attachment agent containing specific information regarding how to connect said database driver to said central controller;

start a first instance of a database driver in a first application;

detect a second application using said attachment agent;

attach said attachment agent to said first application; and

configure said first instance of said database driver using said attachment agent, and wherein in response to a driver configuration property of global scope being modified on said central controller performing;

notifying by said central controller to all attachment agents executing in a plurality of application hosts of a new value for said driver configuration property of global scope; and

updating, by said first attachment agent, each installed application in said first application host with said new value for said driver configuration property of global scope, wherein, said central controller, using said first attachment agent and said first remote interface, changes the configuration of said database driver.

17. The storage of claim 16 wherein said configure step comprises transfer configuration information from said attachment agent to a remote interface in said database driver.

18. The storage of claim 16 wherein said computer readable program when executed on a computer further causes said computer to:

start a second instance of said database driver in said host;

attach said attachment agent to said second application; and

configure said second instance of said database driver using said attachment agent.

19. The storage of claim 18 wherein said computer readable program when executed on a computer further causes said computer to reconfigure said first instance of said database driver, said reconfiguring comprising:

receiving reconfiguration information in said attachment agent; and

reconfiguring said first instance of said database driver using said attachment agent.