US 6,029,196 A · Automatic client configuration system

Abstract

An automatic client configuration system provides a system administrator with the ability to configure every client in a network with one file which resides on the server, and which contains information for setting the client's lock files, preferences, configuration information, and software versions. Control over logical groupings of clients is possible using separate configuration files for each group. The configuration of the network clients is performed during runtime, is automatic, and can be initiated by either the client or the server. The client contacts the server at startup for configuration information, which returns the configuration file that is used by the client to configure its system. The administrator uses the server to query the clients in the network for information, such as file version numbers. If the server determines that any of the clients need file updates, it sends the files to the specific client, which replaces the existing files with the new files sent by the server.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A process for automatically configuring computer network clients through a server, comprising the steps of:

creating a data file on a client which contains the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of said server;
creating configuration files on said server,
sending a configuration request from said client to said server, and wherein said request is resent if a configuration file is not received from said server within a predetermined time limit;
identifying the configuration file on said server associated with said client;
sending said configuration file from said server to said client;
configuring various aspects of said client using said configuration file;
allowing users to store their own configuration and preference information on said server from their client, thereby allowing said users to move to different machines and always be able to log in as themselves if they point to that same server;
wherein each configuration file is intended for a specific client or group of clients;
wherein said configuration file allows configuration data to be set dynamically;
and
wherein said client addresses said server through said URL.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic client configuration system

Life of this patent

Automatic client configuration system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24