Dynamic lookup service in distributed system

A method in a data processing system having a lookup service with associated services, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a request to be notified when the lookup service is updated;
• determining when the lookup service is updated;
• and
• generating a notification when it is determined that the lookup service is updated.

A data processing system comprising:

• a memory containing:
• a lookup service having indications of services that are available for use;
• a first client for updating the lookup service;
• and
• a second client for utilizing the lookup service while the first client is updating the lookup service;
• and
• at least one processor for running the lookup service, the first client, and the second client.

A data processing system comprising:

• a memory containing:
• a lookup service with indications of services available for use, the lookup service for receiving requests for notification of when the lookup service is updated, for determining when the lookup service is updated, and for generating notifications when the lookup service is updated;
• and
• a client for sending a request to the lookup service to be notified when the lookup service is updated;
• and
• at least one processor for running the client and the lookup service.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method, the data processing system having a lookup service with associated services, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a request by the lookup service to be notified when the lookup service is updated;
• determining when the lookup service is updated;
• and
• generating a notification when it is determined that the lookup service is updated.

A method in a distributed system for accessing network services, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a request from a client for access to a network service;
• retrieving a reference from a cache reflecting a particular network service corresponding to the requested network service;
• and
• transmitting the reference to the client.

A method in a distributed system having a lookup service with associated network services and a client lookup manager with an associated cache, the method comprising the steps of:

• sending a request by the client lookup manager to the lookup service identifying one of the associated network services to be accessed;
• receiving said request by the lookup service;
• transmitting an object, responsive to the request, wherein the object provides a service reference to one of the associated network services;
• receiving said response by the client lookup manager;
• and
• storing the service reference in the associated cache.

A method in a distributed system having a lookup service with associated network services and a client lookup manager with an associated cache, the method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting an event by the lookup service that identifies a change to one of the associated network services;
• receiving said event by the client lookup manager;
• and
• updating the associated cache to reflect the change.

A distributed system having a first computer with a client, a client lookup manager with an associated cache, and a second computer with a lookup service containing service references for accessing associated network services, the distributed system comprising:

• means for transmitting a request by the client lookup manager to the lookup service identifying at least one of the associated network services to be accessed;
• means for receiving the request by a lookup service;
• means for transmitting an object, responsive to the request, wherein the object provides a service reference to at least one network service of interest;
• means for receiving said response, by the client lookup manager;
• and
• means for storing the service reference in the associated cache.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method for accessing network services, the data processing system having a software cache and a lookup service with associated services, available for use in the data processing system, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a request for access to a network service;
• retrieving a reference from a cache reflecting a particular network service associated with the requested network service;
• and
• transmitting the reference to the client.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a data processing system having a lookup service with associated network services available in the distributed system and having a client lookup manager with an associated cache, the method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a request by the client lookup manager;
• receiving said request by a lookup service;
• transmitting an object, responsive to the request, wherein the object provides a service reference to at least one network service of interest;
• receiving said response, by the client lookup manager;
• and
• storing the service reference in the associated cache.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a data processing system having a lookup service with associated network services available in a distributed system and having a client lookup manager with an associated cache, the method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting an event by the lookup service, said event notifies the client lookup manager of a change;
• receiving said event by the client lookup manager;
• and
• updating the cache to reflect the change.