Extendible method and apparatus for synchronizing multiple files on two different computer systems

An apparatus for transferring information on a first computer system and a second computer system, said apparatus comprising:

• a data communications link, said data communications link connecting said first computer system to said second computer system;
• a conduit program registry on said second computer system, said conduit program registry storing a list of identifiers of conduit programs that perform specific data transfer tasks;
• at least one conduit program on said second computer system, said conduit program registered in said conduit program registry, said conduit program for transferring information between said first computer system and said second computer system;
• and
• a manager program on said second computer system, said manager program successively invoking said conduit programs.

A cooperative computer system apparatus for transferring information, said apparatus comprising:

• a first computer system;
• a second computer system;
• a data communications link, said data communications link coupling said first computer system to said second computer system;
• at least one conduit program on said second computer system, said conduit program for transferring information between said first computer system and said second computer system;
• a synchronization registry on said second computer system, said synchronization registry containing a list of said conduit programs;
• and
• a manager program on said second computer system, said manager program successively invoking said list of said conduit programs.