US 6,023,586 A · Integrity verifying and correcting software

Abstract

An apparatus and method for self-healing of software may rely on a distribution object in a directory services of a network to provide data for controlling distribution of software and installation of files associated therewith. A software object may represent a software product, system, data structure, application, or the like, from a single byte, to a complex program. A directory services system is responsible for maintaining a data store of inter-related logical entities (directory services objects), including software objects and a distribution object containing all distribution information associated with certain distribution processes. Maintenance methods may be programmed into a directory services object or some other executable to verify the existence of files required for particular software. Verification may be completed in association with a launch request, by explicit request, or in an ongoing maintenance procedure. Maintenance may include executables and data to control, complete, and record integrity of distributed files as a distinct activity or as an ongoing, routine, periodic process of verification and appropriate re-installation of files, operating transparently to a user.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for implementing integrity verifying and correcting software, the apparatus comprising:

a memory device for storing data structures comprising operational data and executables;
a processor operably connected to the memory device for executing the executables;
a network operably connected to the processor for connecting a node to another node;
the node, hosting a directory services executable for maintaining a data store of directory services objects linked together, the directory services executable being programmed to maintain and search for the directory services objects in the data store;
the other node hosting a directory services client for using the directory services system by accessing the directory services objects;
the memory device, wherein the operational data further comprises a distribution object, an instance of a directory services object reflecting a configuration of files corresponding to software represented by a software object, corresponding thereto, distinct therefrom, stored in the directory services system, and containing controlling data, the controlling data controlling the processor in selectively verifying the presence and absence of links to files, finding absent links through the directory services system, and correcting the configuration proximate a run time remote from the installation time of the software.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Integrity verifying and correcting software

Life of this patent

Integrity verifying and correcting software

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20