Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-26
2001-03-27
Homere, Jean R. (Department: 2177)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C709S203000, C709S219000, C709S225000, C709S229000, C713S152000, C713S152000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06208991
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to application file management within data processing systems and in particular to application- and user-specific file mapping within data processing systems or networks. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to user-based dynamic file mapping allowing sharing of single-user applications.
2. Description of the Related Art
Applications may be stored on network servers and run from workstations connected to the network. Different users authorized access to the network may run the application remotely from different workstations connected to the network. In the best cases, however, significant duplication of files is typically required. In some cases, a complete copy of the application for each user must be stored on the server.
Currently, the only mechanisms available for transparently remapping application files are machine-specific. Unix's symbolic links, for example, allow a dummy filename to be mapped to a secondary location, but only in a machine-specific fashion. PC RIPL (Remote Boot) FileIndirectionTables are also machine-specific and are loaded at boot time. Distributed File System (DFS) implements “referrals,” which provide static directory mapping, which is constant across all machines and users.
Machine-specific file remappings typically cannot handle the case of configuration files. Single user applications—i.e. applications which are not designed for concurrent use by multiple users—include configuration files containing user preferences, cache or data files storage locations, etc. Such configuration files are user specific and typically should be stored in different, access-restricted directories.
It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a mechanism for dynamically remapping files associated with single user applications in a machine-independent fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for application file management within data processing systems.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for application- and user-specific file mapping within data processing systems or networks.
It in yet another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for user-based dynamic file mapping allowing sharing of single-user applications.
The foregoing objects are achieved as is now described. File mappings are dynamically loaded within an operating data processing system appended to existing file or directory mappings during operation rather than being loaded during system initialization. A triggering event, such as a user logging into a network from the data processing system with a unique userid, initiates the process for selectively loading the dynamic file mappings or reloading new dynamic file mappings. A context variable, such as the userid of the user logging into the network, is employed to select the set or table of file mappings which are dynamically loaded. The dynamically loaded file mappings are appended to traditional, machine-specific file mappings loaded at system initialization and may be unloaded without affecting such traditional file mappings. The capability of dynamic file mapping allows single-user applications, those designed for use by only one user at a time, to be shared from a single network location, with user-specific files mapped to different locations for different users. Thus, only one copy of a browser is required in a network computer environment. Sensitive files, such as bookmark, security, and cookie files, are dynamically mapped to a user-specific directory based on the userid regardless of the user unit from which the user logs in. Multiple users may share a single copy of the single user browser, and users may “roam” the network, logging in at any data processing system.
The above as well as additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description.
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French Steven Michael
Paul Chakkalamattam Jos
Schoech James Richard
Felsman Bradley Vaden Gunter & Dillon, LLP
Homere Jean R.
International Business Machines - Corporation
LaBaw Jeffrey S.
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