Network license server
AssigneeApollo Computer, Inc.
InventorsHerrick J. Johnson, Margaret Olson, Stuart Jones, Stephanie Bodoff, Stephen C. Bertrand, Paul H. Levine
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for the management of computer programs in a computer network environment is presented. A network license server comprises a license server daemon which provides access to a computer program based on information stored in user and license databases. To track software usage, the daemon also maintains a log file which can be accessed by and interfaced with a network administration station. The network license server protects software vendors from unauthorized use of their software while permitting software programs and users to reside anywhere on the network.
Claims26
A network license server comprising:
- a license database;
- a user database;
- means for generating a digital signal in response to a user's request for access to selected software, said signal being transmitted via a network to which said license server is connected;
- a license server daemon having access to said license database and said user database;
- said license server daemon operative to compare said signal generated by said means for generating a digital signal with information in said license and user databases to determine whether access to said selected software should be granted to said user;
- and
- means for generating a second digital signal permitting access to said selected software if access is permitted, said second digital signal being transmitted via a network to which said license server is connected.
A method of authorizing access to selected software in a computer network, comprising:
- employing a user database;
- employing a license database;
- employing a license server daemon with access to said user and license databases;
- employing at least on input device from which a user can select software to use;
- upon said user's request from said input device to use said software, providing to said daemon a digital signal via said computer network indicative of the identification of said user and the identification of said selected software;
- comparing a first portion of said digital signal indicative of user identification with information in said user database to determine if said user is authorized to have access to said selected software;
- comparing a second portion of said digital signal indicative of software identification with information in said license database to determine if a license is available for the use of said software;
- and
- providing from said daemon a second digital signal via said computer network authorizing access by said user to said software if a license is available for use the use of said software and if the user is authorized to access said software.
A method of authorizing access to selected software in a computer network, comprising;
- employing a user database;
- employing a license database;
- employing a license server daemon with access to said user and license databases;
- employing at least one input device from which a user can select software to use;
- upon said user's request from said input device to use said software, providing to said daemon a digital signal via said computer network indicative of the identification of said user and the identification of said selected software;
- comparing a first portion of said digital signal indicative of user identification with information in said user database to determine if said user is authorized to have access to said selected software and providing a first indication thereof;
- comparing a second portion of said digital signal indicative of license identification with information in said license database to determine if a license is available for the use of said software and providing a second indication thereof;
- and
- providing from said daemon a second digital signal via said computer network authorizing access by said user to said software in response to positive first and second indications.
A network license server for use in a computer network, said server comprising:
- means for storing information relating to the number of licenses available for selected software;
- means for generating a signal transmitted via said network, and indicative of a user's request to access said selected software;
- means for comparing said information stored in said means for storing, in response to said signal indicative of a user's request to access said selected software;
- and
- means for providing a license to said selected software, in response to said signal indicative of a user's request to access said selected software, if the information stored in said means for storing indicates a license is available for the selected software.
A method for controlling access to licensed software in the context of a computer network, comprising the steps of:
- binding a program lock to said licensed software, said lock operative to preclude access to said licensed software until an authorizing signal is provided thereto;
- upon a request from a user for access to said licensed software, having said program lock generate a first signal indicative of the program and requesting user;
- providing said first signal via said network to a license server daemon,
- providing a second signal from a license database and a third signal from a user database to said license server daemon and via said network;
- using said daemon to compare a portion of said first signal with said second signal, and a portion of said first signal with said third signal, to determine whether access to said licensed program should be authorized;
- and
- providing a fourth signal via said network to said program lock authorizing access to said licensed software if said access is to be authorized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.