US 8,266,260 B2Granted

Method and system for updating the software of multiple network nodes

AssigneeSharp Laboratories of America, Inc.

InventorsRabindra Pathak, Joseph B. Murdock

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Abstract

A method and system for updating a group of network nodes, such as a group of MFPs, with replacement software in a manner that improves network performance and the predictability of a completion time for installation of the replacement software involves throttling distribution of a software update package to avoid resource oversubscription while time-bounding distribution so that installation of the software update on all of the network nodes can be completed by a certain time and, in some embodiments, further involves determining a start time for distribution of the software update package based at least in part on a scheduled installation time selected by a network administrator, which provides a high degree of confidence that installation of the software update across the entire group of network nodes will be completed around a scheduled time (e.g. during “off hours”) notwithstanding the staggered distribution of the software update package.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A software update server, comprising:

a network interface;
a memory;
and
a processor communicatively coupled with the network interface and the memory, wherein under control of the processor an effective network bandwidth is determined based at least in part on information received via the network interface, a maximum number of threads in each of at least one set of parallel threads over which a software update package stored in the memory will be distributed via the network interface is determined based at least in part on the effective network bandwidth, a distribution time required to distribute the software update package to a group of network nodes to be updated over sets of the parallel threads is determined based at least in part on a size of the software update package, a preconfigured amount of bandwidth allocated per thread, a number of network nodes to be updated and the maximum number of threads in a set, and a start time for distribution of the software update package to the group of network nodes over the sets of the parallel threads is determined based at least in part on a difference between a scheduled installation time and the required distribution time, and wherein the software update package is distributed via the network interface in accordance with the start time.

1 more element

A method for updating a group of network nodes with replacement software, comprising the steps of:

automatically determining by a software update server an effective network bandwidth;
and
automatically determining by the software update server a maximum number of threads in each of at least one set of parallel threads over which a software update package will be distributed based at least in part on the effective network bandwidth;
automatically determining by the software update server a distribution time required to distribute the software update package to a group of network nodes to be updated over sets of the parallel threads based at least in part on a size of the software update package, a preconfigured amount of bandwidth allocated per thread, a number of network nodes to be updated and the maximum number of threads in a set;
automatically determining by the software update server a start time for distribution of the software update package to the group of network nodes over the sets of the parallel threads based at least in part on a difference between a scheduled installation time and the required distribution time;
and
distributing by the software update server the software update package in accordance with the start time.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.