Workgroup network manager for controlling the operation of workstations within the computer network
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for testing the integrity of select plural files on a workstation comprising the steps of:
- providing a workstation where said select plural files are currently configured, said workstation being identified as any of one or more host workstations;
generating, for said one or more host workstations, a set of check values from the contents of said select plural files and combining said check values with other file attributes from said select plural files;
providing one or more client workstations maintaining copies of said select plural files, where the integrity of said file copies is to be checked;
generating, for said one or more client workstations, a set of check values from the contents of said select plural files and combining said check values with other file attributes from said select plural files;
comparing the file attribute data and check values gathered from said client workstation and said host workstation;
said comparison of file attribute and check values indicating a discrepancy or missing file on said client workstation; and
replacing said select file where said comparison indicates a discrepancy or missing file to maintain said copies of said select plural files corresponding to said select plural files of said host workstation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A workgroup organized network manager for controlling the operation of individual workstations within a computer network. The workgroup organized network manager organizes workstations into workgroups and controls the distribution of information to each of the workstations within a defined workgroup. The tasks each workstation performs are defined by a specification consisting of programs. A library of programs is maintained on a host workstation designated as a controlling workstation within the workgroup. The host workstation keeps track of activity occurring on the individual workstations within the workgroup. A file maintenance and inventory system compares the attributes of files, directories, and software located on the workstation to check for discrepancies between files, directories, or software intended to be identical and for locating missing or extra files, directories, and software.
73 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for testing the integrity of select plural files on a workstation comprising the steps of:
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providing a workstation where said select plural files are currently configured, said workstation being identified as any of one or more host workstations; generating, for said one or more host workstations, a set of check values from the contents of said select plural files and combining said check values with other file attributes from said select plural files; providing one or more client workstations maintaining copies of said select plural files, where the integrity of said file copies is to be checked; generating, for said one or more client workstations, a set of check values from the contents of said select plural files and combining said check values with other file attributes from said select plural files; comparing the file attribute data and check values gathered from said client workstation and said host workstation; said comparison of file attribute and check values indicating a discrepancy or missing file on said client workstation; and replacing said select file where said comparison indicates a discrepancy or missing file to maintain said copies of said select plural files corresponding to said select plural files of said host workstation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of computer management automatically re-executing system configuration instructions in dependence upon their execution status and the current condition of a workstation in a system having multiple workstations networked together with a computer network, the method comprising the steps of:
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organizing a group of multiple workstations into at least one workgroup based upon tasks, projects, or departments of users; defining at least one workstation as a host workstation for each workgroup; using the host workstation, generating a workgroup specification defining the configuration of the workstations in one of said workgroups and containing said configuration instructions; maintaining for each workstation in said one workgroup a record of at least some of said instructions which have previously been executed including in said record the status of instruction execution; and enabling each workstation in said one workgroup to compare the workgroup specification instructions to the record of any of said instructions which have been executed previously, or also to examine the workstation'"'"'s current condition, and then to re-execute those instructions in the workgroup specification that should be executed based upon their prior execution status and on the workstations'"'"' current condition. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 31)
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27. A method of computer management automatically resetting the system to a preferred configuration by executing system configuration instructions in dependence upon a comparison of prior system status to the current condition of a workstation in a system having multiple workstations networked together with a computer network, the method comprising the steps of:
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organizing a group of multiple workstations into at least one workgroup based upon tasks, projects or departments of users; generating a workgroup specification defining the configuration of the workstations in one of said workgroups and containing said configuration instructions; maintaining for each workstation in said one workgroup a record of the preferred configuration status established by execution of the instructions, wherein said status includes the identity and configuration of system elements directly affected by the instructions following their execution; and enabling each workstation in said one workgroup to compare the preferred configuration status to the workstation'"'"'s current condition and then to execute those instructions in the workgroup specification that should be executed to reset the system to the preferred configuration, said workstation'"'"'s current condition being defined by and including at least some of the same type of information included in said preferred configuration status. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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32. A method of computer management automatically resetting a computer to a preferred configuration by executing system configuration instructions in dependence upon a comparison of prior computer status to the current condition of the computer, the method comprising the steps of:
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generating a computer specification defining the configuration of the computer and containing said configuration instructions; maintaining in said computer a record of the preferred configuration status established by execution of the instructions, wherein said status includes the identity and configuration of system elements directly affected by the instructions following their execution; and enabling the computer to compare the preferred configuration status to the computer'"'"'s current condition and then to execute those instructions in the specification that should be executed to reset the system to the preferred configuration, said workstation'"'"'s current condition being defined by and including at least some of the same type of information included in said preferred configuration status. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification