Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Network computer configuring
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-13
2001-11-06
Courtenay, III, St. John (Department: 2151)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Network computer configuring
C709S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314459
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method and system for networking information processing sub-systems. The invention relates especially to configuring a network of PC's in the home environment.
BACKGROUND ART
A known technology of networking devices is Jini of Sun Microsystems. Jini is a Java-based software technology that assists in networking PC's and peripherals. When plugged into a network, a Jini-enabled device will broadcast its presence. Network clients that are ready to use that device can request the necessary software from the device, bypassing a server or a network administrator. This architecture builds on top of an existing network. The network itself is assumed to have been configured in advance.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Nowadays, an increasing number of households have more than one PC. Even so, the PC's are not networked together because this is well beyond the capability of the average user. Even an OS such as Windows95, which has a very easy device sharing model, is still too difficult to configure. Therefore, there is a need to assists the user in networking PC's.
What is needed to make home networking ubiquitous is, according to the inventor, autoconfiguration of shared resources. That is, when two or more machines are connected the resources should be automatically shared without any effort by the user. To enable autoconfiguration of shared resources and shared services in a PC network requires that the following problems be solved: detection a new network connection; assignment of a network address without user intervention; and a implementing a resource/service sharing protocol.
The first problem relating to the detection has been solved by plug-and-play technology. For example, the Windows95 OS allows many Ethernet cards / token ring cards to work automatically upon insertion in the system. The second problem relating to address assignment is currently being worked on in the industry. A known solution is a configuration management protocol, an example of which is the DHCP protocol (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) that lets network administrators manage central and automate the assignment of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in an organization's network. An object of the invention is to provide a solution for the third problem, that is, for the implementing of a sharing protocol.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To this end, the invention provides a method of enabling sharing a first resource or a first service, which is registered with a first information processing sub-system (e.g., a first PC), with a second information processing sub-system (e.g., a second PC). The method comprises enabling the second sub-system to be informed about access to the first sub-system and enabling registering with the second sub-system of a first interface to the first sub-system and addressable through the second sub-system. The method further comprises enabling sharing with the first sub-system, a second resource or a second service registered with the second sub-system, enabling the first sub-system to be informed about access, to the second sub-system; and enabling registering with the first sub-system of a second interface to the second sub-system and addressable through the first sub-system. Each of the sub-systems sets up as an interface proxy client for access to the other sub-system and a proxy server for handling requests from other sub-systems proxy server.
The registering of services and resources of one PC at the other one through the proxy clients thus enables automatic configuration of a network in order to share resources. The registering hides the idea whether a resource or a service is local or is residing at another apparatus. In other words, the invention uses the registering as a tool for autoconfiguration of a network.
Jini focuses on the process of adding a device to the network and broadcasting information about the device to other machines. In this way, Jini provides a “Lookup” service that allows applications on other machines to use the newly added device. The approach of Jini assumes the network and operating system have already been configured so that each computer already knows about other computers. Jini's functionality occurs at a layer above the network. It does not, for example, solve the problems of automatic configuration of the network upon connection, disconnection, or reconnection. It assumes that the network is up or down, independent of Jini. Jini leverages the services provided by the network to implement its services. In other words, the invention uses the registering as a tool for autoconfiguration
REFERENCES:
patent: 5867665 (1999-02-01), Butman et al.
patent: 5867667 (1999-02-01), Butman et al.
patent: 5884035 (1999-03-01), Butman et al.
patent: 6026430 (2000-02-01), Butman et al.
patent: 6098116 (2000-08-01), Nixon et al.
patent: 2305271 (1997-04-01), None
Interactive Week, Jul. 20, 1998, “Sun Calls On Jini To Simplify Network Use” as found on the http://www8.zdnet.com/intweek/print/980720/338318.html.
PC Magazine Online, Jul. 21, 1998, “Dreaming of Jini”, as found on the Internet at http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag
ews/trends/t980721b.html.
EP 0816969A Sun Microsystems Inc. Jan. 7, 1998. 4 line 8-18, col. 11 line 45, col.12 line 9-figure 1, col. 20 line 25-37, col. 22 line 18-32, col. 24 line 53, col 26. line 17.
IBM: “Distributed SOM (DSOM)” SOM Objects Developer Toolkit Users p. 1-1V, 601-690 XP002047926 Guide XX,XX.
Courtenay III St. John
U.S. Philips Corporation
Verdonk Peter
LandOfFree
Home-network autoconfiguration does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Home-network autoconfiguration, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Home-network autoconfiguration will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2588439