Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-26
2001-11-06
Lim, Krisna (Department: 2153)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C709S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314428
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates in general to network computers, and in particular, to the management of applications in a network environment in which users can “roam” from networked computer to networked computer.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A typical network computing environment includes multiple personal computers or workstations (collectively, client processors) coupled to a network and one or more resource servers which store and provide resources to the client data processor. Additionally, a dedicated processor, a domain controller, provides administrative and management services to the network. The resource servers store applications and data which are used on the client processors on the network in accordance with the requirements of the users of the respective client processors. A particular user may be associated with a corresponding client on the network, for example, a personal computer on the user's desk. Further associated with the user, may be a suite of applications which the user requires in performing his or her day-to-day tasks. These applications, which are provided to the user via the network, by the resource server, may appear on the user's computer display as an iconized representation. These applications may be customized according to the particular user's needs.
In such a prior art network, the client processors are locally configured. Thus, the appearance of the desktop presented to the user after logon, corresponds to the configuration appropriate to the particular user associated with a client processor. Thus, in an environment where users “roam,” that is, find it necessary to access applications from a client processor other than their own, such users may not have the necessary applications available to them. Then, a network administrator must locally reconfigure each client processor from which the roaming user accesses the network. Therefore, there is a need in the art for methods and apparatus which enables domain controller based configuration of networked client processors. There is additionally a need in the art for such controller based configuration methods and apparatus wherein roaming users are presented with their individual desktop representations at every networked client processor from which they may access the network.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforementioned needs are addressed by the present invention. Accordingly, there is provided, in a first form, a method of applications management including the step of creating an application definition for a multi-user application, and associating the application definition with one or more users. In response to each logon by the user, building a desktop workspace corresponding to the user, the desktop workspace including a representation of the multi-user application.
There is also provided, in a second form, a data processing system for applications management. The data processing system includes a domain controller operable for coupling to a network, wherein the domain controller includes circuitry operable for creating an application definition for a multi-user application, and circuitry operable for associating the application definition with one or more users. The data processing system also includes at least one client processor coupled to the network, the at least one client processor including circuitry for building a desktop workspace corresponding to the user in response to each logon by the user, the desktop workspace including a representation of the multi-user application.
Additionally, there is also provided, in a third form, a computer program product operable for storage on computer readable media, the program product for applications management including programming operable for creating an application definition for a multi-user application, and programming operable for associating the application definition with one or more users. The computer program product also has programming for building a desktop workspace corresponding to the user in response to each logon by the user, the desktop workspace including a representation of the multi-user application.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention.
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Workspace On-Demand Handbook, IBM International Technical Support Organization—Austin Center, Nov. 1997.
Brew Glenn Edwards
French Steven Michael
Paul Chakkalamattam Jos
Tran Julie Hong-Van
International Business Machines - Corporation
LaBaw Jeffrey S.
Lim Krisna
Newberger Barry S.
Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C.
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