Method for managing globally distributed software components

Patent 5761499 Issued on June 2, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 21, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventor

Sonderegger, Kelly Ervin

Assignee

Novell, Inc.

Application

No. 576647 filed on 12/21/1995

US Classes:

707/10, Distributed or remote access717/167, Remote719/331DYNAMIC LINKING, LATE BINDING

Examiners

Primary: Black, Thomas G.
Assistant: Choules, Jack M.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Computer Law

International Class

G06F 017/30

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for managing software components in a network of computers such as a local area network or the Internet. Each software component includes a binary object and at least one interface to the binary object. Suitable software components include OLE components. The network includes a registry file identifying currently registered components and their locations. The network also includes a component server computer on which unregistered components reside. A database associates software component identifiers with software component locators. Suitable databases include Novell NetWare Directory Services databases and Internet search engine databases. Database objects or entries representing unregistered components are found by a search based on the class identifier of a desired component. Software components found by the search are selected, transferred as needed, and then registered, thereby making them available to clients.

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