Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer protocol implementing – Computer-to-computer data transfer regulating
Reexamination Certificate
1997-01-03
2001-08-07
Burgess, Glenton B. (Department: 2153)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer protocol implementing
Computer-to-computer data transfer regulating
C709S238000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272547
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a file transfer mechanism for transferring a series of data files from one computer to another computer and also to a method of transferring a series of data files from one computer to another computer.
2. Related Art
EP-A-O 413 074 discloses a method of managing the transfer of data files between a workstation and a host computer. The workstation is provided with an application program which manages the transfer of files between the workstation and the host computer.
When transferring a large series of files from one computer to another computer, it is desirable to do so in a manner which does not cause problems for the computer receiving the files and which enables the files to be transferred in a reliable manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a computer having a mechanism for transferring a series of data files between said computer and another computer, said file transfer mechanism being arranged to transfer a series of files between said computer and another computer in accordance with a protocol for transferring a series of files from a first computer (the transmitting computer) to a second computer (the receiving computer) which includes the following sequence of operations: (i) the receiving computer sends a poll message to the transmitting computer asking for a list of files which are available for transfer; (ii) the transmitting computer sends a reply message to the receiving computer containing a list of files which are available for transfer; and (iii) the receiving computer selects files from the list received from the transmitting computer and attempts to copy each selected file.
The protocol used in the file transfer mechanism of this invention provides the advantages that the files are transferred at a time selected by the receiving computer and that only those files which have been selected by the receiving computer are transferred. Also, because the files are copied under the control of the receiving computer, the protocol provides the further advantage that the files may be copied in a reliable manner.
According to a second aspect of this invention, there is provided a computer having a mechanism for transferring a series of data files between said computer and another computer, said file transfer mechanism being arranged to transfer a series of between said computer and another computer in accordance with a protocol for transferring a series of files from a first computer (the transmitting computer to a second computer (the receiving computer) which includes the following sequence of operations: (i) the transmitting computer sends a message to the receiving computer stating that it has files available for transfer; (ii) the receiving computer sends a poll message to the transmitting computer asking for a list of files which are available transfer; (iii) the transmitting computer sends a reply message to the receiving computer containing a list of files which are available for transfer; and (iv) the receiving computer selects files from the list received from the transmitting computer and attempts to copy each selected file.
According to a third aspect of this invention there is a provided a computer having a mechanism for transferring a series of data files between said computer and another computer, said file transfer mechanism being arranged to transfer a series of files between said computer and another computer in accordance with a protocol for transferring a series of files from a first computer (the transmitting computer) to a second computer (the receiving computer) which includes the following sequence of operations: (i) the receiving computer sends a poll message to the transmitting computer asking for a list of files which are available for transfer; (ii) the transmitting computer sends a poll message to the receiving computer stating that there will be a delay in providing a list of files available for transfer; (iii) after a delay the transmitting computer sends a further message to the receiving computer stating that it has files available for transfer; (iv) the receiving computer sends a poll message to the transmitting computer asking for a list of files which are available for transfer; (v) the transmitting computer sends a reply message to the receiving computer containing a list of files which are available for transfer; and (vi) the receiving computer selects files from the list received from the transmitting computer and attempts to copy each selected file.
According to a fourth aspect of this invention there is provided a method of transferring a series of data files from a first computer (the transmitting computer) to a second computer (the receiving computer) including the steps of: (i) the receiving computer sending a poll message to the transmitting computer asking for a list of files which are available for transfer; (ii) the transmitting computer sending a reply message to the receiving computer containing a list of files which are available for transfer; and (iii) the receiving computer selecting files from the list received from the transmitting computer and attempting to copy each selected file.
According to the fifth aspect of this invention there is provided a method of transferring a series of data files from a first computer (the transmitting computer) to a second computer (the receiving computer) including the steps of: (i) the transmitting computer sending a message to the receiving compute stating that it has files available for transfer; (ii) the receiving computer sending a poll message to the transmitting computer asking for a list of files which are available for transfer; (iii) the transmitting computer sending a reply message to the receiving computer containing a list of files which are available for transfer; and (iv) the receiving computer selecting files from the list received from the transmitting computer and attempting to copy each selected file.
According to a sixth aspect of this invention, there is provided a method of transferring a series of data files from a first computer (the transmitting computer) to a second computer (the receiving computer) including the steps of: (i) the receiving computer sending a poll message to the transmitting computer asking for a list of files which are available for transfer; (ii) the transmitting computer sending a reply message to the receiving computer stating that there will be a delay in providing a list of files available for transfer; (iii) after a delay the transmitting computer sending a further message to the receiving computer stating that it has files available for transfer; (iv) the receiving computer sending a poll message to the transmitting computer asking for a list of files which are available for transfer; (v) the transmitting computer sending a reply message to the receiving computer containing a list of files which are available for transfer; and (vi) the receiving computer selecting files from the list received from the transmitting computer and attempting to copy each selected file.
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DeSchon, A., et al., “Background File Transfer Program,” Network Working Group, RFC 1068, Aug. 1988.*
“Open Systems Interconnection” published in the Encyclopedia of Computer Science, 3rdEdition, Van Nostrand Reinhold 1993.
Linington, “File Transfer Protocols”, IEEE Journal of Selected Areas in Communication, vol. 7, No. 7, Sep. 1989, New York US, pp. 1052-1059.
British Telecommunications public limited company
Burgess Glenton B.
Fields Kenneth W.
Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
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