`
`
`
`
`
`Ex. 1002
`Ex. 1002
`
`466 Prosecution (File) History (‘‘File
`466 Prosecution (File) History (“File
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`History”)
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`PATENT NUMBER
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`PREPARED AND APPROVED FOR ISSUE
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`ISSU ING CLASSIFICATION
`
`CROSS REFERENCE(S)
`
`CLASS
`
`4rl
`
`SUBCLASS (ONE SUBCLASS PER BLOCK)
`
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`ORIGINAL
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`INTERNAT!ONAL CLASSIF!CATION
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`EI Continued on lssue Slip lnside File Jacket
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`Sheets Dn,trg.
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`I
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`DRAWINGS
`
`CLAIMS ALLOWED
`
`Figs. Dnrg.t> Print Fig.A ToialClaimsv>- Print Claim for O.G.
`
`I
`I
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED
`
`,-' TERMINAL
`Llorscr-AlMER
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`(date)
`
`EI a) The term of this Patent
`subsequent lo
`has been disclaimect.
`lJ U) fne term of this patent shall
`not extend beyond the expiration date
`of U.S Patent. ,.1o.
`----
`
`(Assistanl Examineo
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`(Oate)
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`DAVIDWILEY
`PfrIMARY EXAMINER
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`ISSUE BATCH NUMBER
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`fl c1 The tsrminal
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`this patent have been disclaimed.
`-monlhs
`(Lega\lnstruments Examinor)
`l,i;.''r
`WARNING:
`i
`The inlormation disclosed herein may be reslricted. Unauthorized,disclosure may be prohibited by the United States Code Title 35, Sections 122, 181 and 368.
`possession outside the U.S. Patent & Trademark Otlice is restrictsd to authorized employees and contractors only.
`
`Form PTO-tl36A
`(Rev. 6/98)
`
`I1:;tr"i,|1r"
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`\
`
`Fa"* flfi *I #&? ffi{We fl**Sdqi s#L*
`(LABEL AREA)
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`
`

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`PATENT APPLICATION
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`CONTENTS
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`cf
`Date Mailed
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`Date received
`(lncl. C. of M.)
`or
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`ISSUE SLIP STAPT-E AREA (fol rciei.,'cnal cross references)
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`Non-elected
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`Date
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`lf more than 150 claims or 10 actions
`staple additional sheet here
`
`/l trtrT tNstntr\
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`

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`SEARCHED
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`TTORNEY DOCK.ET NO.
`
`5577.130
`
`DAVIE. COX, I{ALEIGH, NCi KENT F. HAYES,TR., CHAPEL HILL, NCi DAVID B.
`LTNilIST, RALEIGH,.NC; JOHN FI. MCGARVEY, APE)I, NC; ABDI SALAHSHOUR,
`ru\Llcrt, NC.
`
`,t r'jONTINUING DOMESTIC DATArr rd * * .t{t * * * rt,r,, d( * * * *'r * *
`flRIFIED
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`VERIF IED
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`
`Ext. of t,r':':
`
`I
`
`IF REQUIRED, EOREIGN FILI.N$ LICENSE GRANTED ffi:,]16,'9Y
`Foreiqn l'rioritv claimed
`yoslJlnrr
`bE USa'i1d'ii-at i!6ioitions met ili,es i\:+:,: ,JMet after Aliowunce
`Verified and Acknowledged
`
`SI.IEETS
`I T.,!TA I
`I TOTAL
`Dn.t.Wrlrl I ?L{:MS
`
`SEE CUSTOMER NUMBER: O2O7,T::I
`
`METHODS r SYSTEMS AND r:OMIlIrTr.'R PROeRp.l.t PacltueT$
`I.iANAGEMIINT OrI APPLICATIOII PROGRAMS G3f'?r'itE'rWiRK
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`PATENT
`
`TN THE LTNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`ATTY DOCKET NO.: 5577-130
`DATE: December 14,1998
`
`Rq
`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL LETTER'S
`AND FEE TRANSMITTAL FORM (37 CFR 1.s3(b))
`
`A
`
`---E -:
`"frZx
`,;9=-\H-#a=!
`:\,
`FA
`
`BOX PATENT APPLICATION
`Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`Washington, DC 20231
`
`Transmitted herewith for filing under 37 CFR 1.53(b) is:
`I a patent application
`f a Continuation f] a Divisional I a Continuation-in-Part (CIP)
`; filed
`of prior application no.:
`I e Small Entity Statement(s) was filed in the prior application; Status still proper and desired.
`Inventor(s) or Application Identifier: David E. Cox; Kent F. HaVe1,.lr.1 layia B. Lindquist
`John R. McGarvey; and Abdi Salahshour
`
`METHODS, SYSTEMSAND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR
`CENTRALIZED MANAGEMENT OF APPLICATION PROGRAMS
`ON A NETWORK
`
`':t*::
`jil :i
`
`ii!#
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`
`5. I
`
`Enclosed are:
`1. f, Application Transmittal Lefier and Fee Transmittal Form (A duplicate is enclosedfor fee processing)
`2. X 41 pages of Specification (including23 claims)
`3. I Nine (9) sheets of Formal Drawings (35 USC 113)
`4. I Oatfr or Declaration
`a. f newly executed (original or copy)
`b. f] .opy from prior application (37 CFR 1.63(d) (for continuation/divisiona] [Note Box 5 Below]
`c. f pBLBTION Of WVPNTOR(S) (Signed statement deleting inventor(s) named in the prior application)
`Incorporation By Reference (useable if box 4b is checked)
`The entire disclosure of the prior application, from which a copy of the oath or declaration is supplied under Box 4b, is
`considered as being part ofthe disclosure ofthe accompanying application and is hereby incorporated by reference
`therein.
`6. I Microfiche Computer Program (Appendix)
`7. I Assignment papers (cover sheet(s) and document(s))
`8. f] Small Entity Statement(s)
`9. f] Information Disclosure Statement, PTA{449, and I references cited
`10. I Preliminary Amendment (Please enter all claim amendments prior to calculating theJilingfee.)
`11. E English Translation Document
`ApplicationNo. ; Filed
`l2.ZCertified Copy of
`
`Page 1 of2
`
`

`

`.)
`
`13. n Sequence Listing/ Sequence Listing Diskette
`a. I
`computerreadable coPY
`b. fl paper copy
`c. fl statement in support
`14.n An Associate Power of Attorney
`15. X Return Receipt Postcard (MPEP 503) (Should be specifically itemized)
`16.E other:
`The fee has been calculated as shown below:
`Column I
`Column 2
`No. Extra
`No. Filed
`
`BASIC FEE
`
`TOTAL CLAIMS
`
`23-20:
`6- J:
`INDEP CLAIMS
`E MULTIPLE Dependent Claims Presented
`If the dffirence in CoL I is less than zero, Enter "0" in CoL 2
`
`J
`
`aJ
`
`Small En{ty
`Rate Fee
`$380.00
`x9= $
`x39: $
`+130=$
`Total $
`
`Large Entity
`Rate Fee
`$760.00
`x 18: $54.00
`x 78: $234.00
`+ 260: $
`
`Total $1048.00
`
`Il:!
`
`il+'
`
`I 'ii,
`
`l*E
`J}
`:*
`i:.r'::.
`
`to cover the filing fee is enclosed.
`
`f, e check in the amount of $
`ffi Please charge my Deposit Account No. 09-0461 in the amount of $ 1 ,048.00 to cover the filing fee.
`The Commissioner is hereby authorized to charge payment of the following fees associated with this
`munication or credit any ove{payment to Deposit Account No. 09-0461.
`Any additional filing fees required under 37 CFR 1.16.
`Any patent application processing fees under 37 CFR 1.17.
`
`comftr
`
`pectfully subn{ue
`
`Robert W. Glatz
`Registration No. 36,81 I
`
`Correspondence Address:
`USPTO Customer Number: 20792
`Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec, P.A.
`Post Office 8ox37428
`Raleigh, NC27627
`Tel (919) 8s4-1400
`Fax (919) 854-1401
`
`CERTIFICATE OF EXPRESS MAILING
`
`Express Mail Label No. EL085941687US
`Date of Deposit: December 14, 1998
`I hereby ceftiry that this correspondence is being deppsited with the United States Postal Service "Express Mail Post Office to
`Addressee" service under 37 CFR l.l0 on the date indicated above and is addressed to Box Patent Application, Assistant Commissioner For
`Patents, Washington, DC 20231.
`
`Date of Signature: December 14, 1998
`
`Page2 of2
`
`

`

`-&i
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO. 5577-I3O
`
`PATENT
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Cox, et hl.
`Concurrently Herewith
`METHODS., SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS
`FOR CENTRALIZED MANAGEMENT OF APPLICATION
`PROGRAMS ON A NETWORK
`
`Date: December 14, L998
`
`Box Patent Application
`Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`Washington, DC 20231,
`
`APPLICATION FILED UNDER 37 CFR 1.41(c)
`
`The above identified application is being filed on behalf of the inventor(s),
`David E. Cox, resident of Raleigh, North Carolina; Kent F. Hayes, Jr., resident of
`Chapel Hill, North Carolina; David B. Lindquist, resident of Raleigh, North Carolina;
`John R. McGarvey, resident of Apex, North Carolina; and Abdi Salahshour, resident of
`Raleigh, North Carolina under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.41(c). A Declaration and Power
`of Attorney from the inventors will follow, 37 CFR 1.63.
`
`Respecttully
`
`,^-U#
`
`Robert W. Glatz
`Registration No. 36,81 1
`
`Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec
`P.O. Box 37428
`Raleigh, NC 27627
`Tel (919) 854-1400
`Fax (919) 854-1401
`
`cERrrFrcATE oF ExpREss MAILING
`
`"Express Mail" mailing label number EL085941687US
`Date of Deposit December 14, 1998
`
`I hereby certiff that this paper or fee is being deposited with the United States Posul Service
`"Express Mail Post Office to Addressee" service under 37 CFR 1.10 on the date indicated above and is addressed to
`ioner For Patents, Washington, DC20231.
`
`Michele P. McMahan
`Date of Signature: December 14,1998
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket: 5577 -130
`
`l'
`
`;:--::,
`
`10
`
`15
`
`METHODS, SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR
`CENTRALIZED MANAGEMENT OF
`APPLICATION PROGRAMS ON A NETWORK
`m,saq
`
`Cross Reference to Related Applicalions
`This application is related to the following applicatiogf,rled concurrently
`hETEWith: METHODS, SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS
`FOR MANAGEMENT OF CONFIGURABLE APPLICATION PROGRAMS ON
`A NETWORK, Attomey Docket Number 5577-106. This application is also
`related to United States Patent Application No. 09/072,597 filed May 5, 1998 and
`entitled: Client-Server System for Maintainilg a user Desktop Consistent with
`Server Application User Access Permissions which is incorporated herein by
`
`reference in its entirety.
`
`Field of the lnvention
`The present invention relates to network management in general and in
`
`particular to application program management on a computer network.
`
`Background of the lnvention
`Traditional mainframe computer configurations provided for user interface
`to the computer through computer terminals which were directly connected by
`
`wires to ports of the mainframe computer. As computing technology has evolved,
`processing power has typically evolved from a central processing center with a
`
`r/1
`
`L.r
`
`

`

`number of relatively low-processing power terminals to a distributed environment
`
`of networked processors. Examples of this shift in processing include local or
`
`wide area computer networks which interconnect individual work stations where
`eachiivorkstation has substantial independent processing capabilities. This shift
`may b.e further seen in the popularity of the Internet which interconnects many'
`
`processors and networks of processors through devices such as, for example,
`
`routers. This type of network environment is often referred to as a client-server
`
`environment with client stations coupled to and supported by a server station.
`
`In the modern distributed processing computer environment, control over
`software, such as application programs, is more difficult than where a mainframe
`operated by ari administrator is used, particularly for large organizations with
`numerous client stations and servers distributed widely geographically and utilized
`
`by a large number of users. Furthermore, individual users may move from location
`
`to location and need to access the network from different client stations at different
`times. The networked environment increases the challenges for a network
`
`administrator in maintaining proper licenses for existing software and deploying
`
`new or updated applications programs across the network
`
`One approach to reducing software distribution and control problems is to
`
`use an application server in which the application programs are installed and
`maintained on a centralized server which supports a plurality of client stations
`
`(sometimes referred to as a client/server applisalisn as contrasted to a desktop
`
`application). In addition, the Systems Management Server (SMS) program from
`Microsoft Corporation provides an ability to transmit an application program from
`a seryer to a number of clients. The SMS system typically allows installation of
`programs and associated icons at client stations for SMS-enabled applications. A
`
`customized install generally must be created by a system administrator for each
`
`different version to be installed. Furthernore, once installed at a client, a user
`
`must typically use that specific client station. The application generally cannot be
`
`automatically deleted from the client station's desktop or automatically upgraded
`
`the next time the user starts the application. Similarly, the Tivoli Management
`Environment (TME) 10rM system from Tivoli Systems,Inc. provides a.software
`
`

`

`distribution feature which may be used to transmit a file package to client and
`
`server stations on a network from a central TivolirM server.
`, ' ,A furth"r complication in network systems is that, typically, these systems
`include combinations of network applications and native applications as well as
`
`combinations of different connection types and hardware devices. As used herein
`"native applications" refers to applications which are installed locally on a
`workstation such that characteristics associated with the native application are
`stored on the workstation. The combinations of network connections, differing
`hardware, native applications and network applications makes portability of
`preferences or operating environment characteristics which provide consistency
`
`from workstation to workstation diffrcult. Furthermore, differences in hardware or
`
`connections may create inefficiencies as users move from workstation to
`
`workstation. For example, a user may, in a first session, access the network
`utilizing a high speed connection and a workstation with a high resolution color
`
`monitor to execute an application and then, in a later session, access the network to
`
`execute the same application from a mobile computer with a monochrome display
`
`and a low speed modem connection to the network. Thus, session content, such as
`
`color display dataor preferences associated with the application, which may have
`been appropriate for the first session may be inappropriate or inefficient in a later
`
`10
`
`l5
`
`20
`
`session.
`
`Efforts to address mobility of users in a network have included efforts to
`
`provide preference mobility such as, for example, Novell's Z.E.N.worksrM,
`
`Microsoft's "Zero Administration" initiative for Windows@ and International
`Business Machines Corporation's (IBM's) Workspace On DemandrM. However,
`
`25
`
`these solutions each typically require pre-installation of software at the workstation
`
`to support their services. For example, Novell's Z.E.N. and IBM's Workspace On
`
`Demand utilize a designer-supplied support layer in the operating system to enable
`
`their services. In addition to modiffing the workstations operating system at
`
`startup to setup tasks to customize the user's environment, the Microsoft Zero
`
`30
`
`Administration solution is typically limited to a homogeneous (Windows@ only)
`
`)tq
`
`

`

`environment where the workstation and the server are utilizing the same operating
`
`system.
`
`* Another approach to centralized management is the traditional mainframe
`model, such as with the IBM3270 system, or an X Windows environment.
`
`However, in each of these approaches, the client device is treated as a dumb
`i
`terminal with execution of the applications occurring at the server rather than the
`
`client. Accordingly, the communication between the server and the client is
`
`typically presenting characters for a display screen ofthe client and/or receiving
`
`key strokes from the client. Windows Zero Administration, as described above, is
`client rather than user oriented and installs applications on client stations which
`does not fully support roaming by users. The JAVATM environment utilized on the
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`Internet for web applications provides an ability for hardware independent
`application development but fails to provide an integrated framework for
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`presenting multiple independent applications to a user. While various web
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`applications, such as the Netscape Mission Control desktop, do allow personalizing
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`of a specific application display by a user, this capability is generally not managed
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`across applications for a user. Furthermore,.it typically associates personalized
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`screen information with an Internet address (and sometimes a "cookie" installed at
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`the client) which is associated with a client device rather than a user, therefore
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`limiting its ability to support roaming by,rr"rs.
`Each of these "mobility" systems typically do not address the full range of
`complications which may arise in a heterogeneous network utilizing differing
`devices and connections. The system typically will not present application choices
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`associated with the user and for which the user is authorized but instead present
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`information associated with the particular client workstation. Users would
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`typically have to manually define session characteristics at each differing
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`workstation they used in the network or maintain local characteristic definitions
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`which may be inappropriate for particular applications a user is executing and may
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`substantially reduced the administrative convenience of a centrally controlled
`network. Thus, these various approaches fail to provide a seamless integration of
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`application access and session characteristics across heterogeneous networks.
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`Such solutions may, at most, reduce network administration only after initial
`installation on each workstation. In addition, control over access by users is
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`diffiqult to accomplish in a mobile environment.
`Furthermore, these various approaches have, at most, only limited
`capabilities to provide a uniform framework for deployment of new or updated
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`application programs from different software designers. To the extent software
`distribution capabilities from a central location are provided, such as with the TME
`1OrM system, they typicalty require various steps in the installation process to
`occur at different locations rather than allowing the entire process to be controlled
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`from a single point for an entire managed network environment. '
`
`Summary of the lnvention
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide methods,
`systems and computer program products for centralized management of application
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`progftIms on a comPuter network.
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`It is a fi.rther object of the present invention to provide such methods,
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`systems and computer program products that are user based across various
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`hardware interface devices.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to provide such methods,
`systems and computer program products that provide for software deployment
`from a central administrative server location across a plurality of client stations.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide such methods,
`systems and computer program products that can accommodate various types of
`hardware operating under different operating systems across client stations.
`
`These and other objects are provided, according to the present invention, by
`providing methods, systems and computer program products for management of
`application programs on a network including a server supporting client stations.
`
`The server provides applications on-demand to a user logging in to a client
`supported by the server. Mobility is provided to the user and hardware portability
`is provided by establishing a user desktop interface responsive to a login request
`
`which presents to the user a desktop screen through a web browser interface. The
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`desktop accesses and downloads selected application programs from the server
`responsive to a request from the user, such as the selection ofan icon associated
`with the application program which is displayed on the user desktop screen at the
`client. ,The application program is then provided from the server and executed at
`the client. The application program may further be customized to conform to the
`userls preferences and may also provide for license use management by
`
`determining license availability before initiating execution of the application
`program. Accordingly, applications are provided on-demand to users independent
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`ofthe device used to access the server.
`Centralized control of software distribution is also provided for a network
`management server managed computer network such as a TivolirM environment.
`Application programs are distributed as file packages (packets) to on-demand
`servers. A profile manager import call is included in the distributed file packet
`along with an import text file containing the data required to properly install and
`register the application program on the on-demand server and make it available to
`authorized users. Settable on-demand server identifier fields are included to allow
`a plurality of on-demand servers to receive a common file packet and properly
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`install and register the program for use locally.
`In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for management of
`application programs on a network including: a server and a client is provided. A
`plurality of application plograms are installed at the server. The plurality of
`application programs may be installed on a network drive accessible to the seryer.
`A login request initiating a session is received from a user through an application
`executing at the client. A user desktop interface is then established at the client
`associated with the user responsive to the login request from the user. The desktop
`
`interface includes a plurality of display regions associated with a set of the
`
`plurality of application programs installed at the server for which the user is
`authorized. The server receives a selection of one of the plurality of application
`
`programs from the user desklop interface and provides an instance of the selected
`
`one of the plurality of application programs to the client for execution responsive
`
`to the selection.
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`In a further embodiment, application management information for the
`plurality of applications is maintained at the server and a plurality of display
`regions associated with a set of the plurality of application programs for which the
`
`user,is'authorized is included responsive to the application management
`infonnation. In a further embodiment of the present invention, application
`launcher programs associated with each of the set of the plurality of application
`programs for which the user is authorized are distributed to the client and
`
`selections of programs are received from one of the application launcher progrzlms
`which is associated with the selected one of the plurality of application programs.
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`The application launcher programs may be provided as JAVATM applets and the
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`user desktop interface may be provided as a web browser The application
`management information may include configurable user preference information for
`the plurality of application programs and a set of the configurable user preference
`information associated with the user and the selected one of the plurality of
`application programs may be provided to the client for use in executing the
`
`instance of the application program. The set of the configurable user preference
`
`information may include both user preferences configurable by the user and user
`
`preferences not configurable by the user which are configurable by an
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`administrator. The user preference information may be updated responsive to
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`updates from the user and the administrator respectively.
`
`In another embodiment of the present invention, the user desktop interface
`is configured at the server responsive to an identifier of the user associated with the
`
`login request so as to provide a configured user desktop interface. The configured
`
`user desktop interface is then provided to the client for display. The user desktop
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`may be configured not to include display regions associated with any of the
`
`plurality of application programs installed at the server for which the user is not
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`authorized.
`
`In another aspect of the present invention, a license availability is
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`determined for the selected one of the plurality of application programs for the
`
`user. License availability for the user desktop application itself may also be
`
`determined. An unavailability indication is provided to the client responsive to the
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`selection if the license availability indicates that a license is not available for the
`user. The license availability may be determined by the one of the application
`launcher programs associated with the selected one of the plurality of application
`programs which may obtain the license availability from a license management
`,.*o. 'The
`license management server may run on the same machine as the on
`demand application server.
`
`In a further aspect of the present invention, event logging information is
`received at the server from the instance of the selected one of the plurality of
`application programs. The server provides the received event logging information
`to a network management server associated with the server. In addition, event
`
`logging information may be provided to the user desktop application.
`In yet another aspect of the present invention, methods are provided for
`distribution of application programs to a target station on a network from a
`centralized network management server coupled to the network. The application
`program to be distributed is provided to the systems (network) management server
`and a source directory and a target directory for distribution ofthe application
`program are specified. A file packet associated with the application program is
`prepared including a segment configured to initiate registration operations for the
`application program at the target station. The file packet is then distributed to the
`target station or stations. In one embodiment, the network management server is a
`
`TivolirM server. The segment configured to initiate registration operations may
`include an import data file and a call to an import program execuling on the target
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`station.
`
`In one embodiment of the software distribution aspect of the present
`
`invention, the application program is provided as a JAVATM applet and is
`registered based on a Universal Resource Locator (URL) address accessible to a
`
`browser application. The segrnent configured to initiate registration operations
`includes a variable field into which the target station inserts its identification
`during registration operations. The file packet may be distribuled to a plurality of
`target stations each having an identification which may be inserted into the variable
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`field at the target station.
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`While the invention has been described above primarily with respect to the
`method aspects of the invention, both systems and computer program products are
`
`also provided.
`, Accordingly, the present invention provides for management of application
`i,
`progiams in a network environment from a central location while allowing for user
`preferehces to be maintained independent of hardware location of the user along
`with centralized distribution of new and/or updated application programs. This
`provides for reduced costs and increased uniformity in deploying software in a
`network environment. It further provides an essentially hardware transparent
`ability for an individual user to interface to an on-demand server supported client
`station while maintaining the user's personal preferences for each application
`
`program.
`
`Brief Description of the Drawings
`FIG. 1 is a schematie diagram of a computer network with application
`t'
`/'
`program mana[ement according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an on-demand server system according to
`
`FIG.3 ils a schematic diagram of the on-demand server system of FIG.2
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 4ts a flowchart illustrating opeiations for application program
`distribution and execution according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 i6'a flowchart illustrating configuration operations for application
`program distribution and execution according to an embodiment of the present
`
`invention;
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating user login operations for application
`program distribution and execution according to an embodiment of the present
`
`invention;
`FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating application access operations for
`application program distribution and execution according to an embodiment of the
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`i
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`present invention;
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`FIG. 8.is a flowchart illustrating operations for application program
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`?
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`distribution and execution in a network management server environment such as a
`
`TivolirM environment according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`., FIGS. 9Ar 98 and 9C are flowcharts further illustrating operations for
`application program distribution and execution according to an embodiment of the
`
`present invention; and
`
`FIG. 10 isan illustration of an interface screen used in centralized software
`
`deployment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
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`10
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`Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
`The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with
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`reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the
`
`invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different
`
`forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
`rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and
`
`complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the
`art. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the present invention may be
`
`embodied as methods, systems or computer program products. Accordingly, the
`
`present invention may take the form of a hardware embodiment, a software
`
`embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects.
`FIG. I illustrates an embodiment of a computer network including
`configurable application program management capabilities according to an
`
`embodiment of the present invention. Computer network system L0 includes a
`
`network management server such as a TivolirM server 20 and on-demand servers
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`22,22'. As used herein, "on-demand" refers to a server delivering applications as
`
`needed responsive to user requests as requests are received. System 10 further
`includes client stations 24,24',26,26'. As illustrated, on-demand servers 22,22'
`are connected to TivolirM server 20 over a first network segment L0'. Client
`stations 24,24' are served by on-demand server 22 andcommunicate over network
`10". Similarly, clients26,26' are served by server 22' and communicate over
`network 10"'. As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, client stations 24,24',26,
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`26' may be a variety of different hardware operating a variety of different operating
`
`systems.
`.r ' , System 1.0, as illustrated in FIG. 1, is a centrally managed computer
`network with TivolirM server 20 acting as the central administration station
`executing network management software such as TME 10rM from Tivoli Systems,
`Inc. Servers22,22' actas on-demand servers for their respective associated client
`stations 24,24',26,26'and provide for client/server application support. It is
`further to be understood that networks 10', 10", 10"' may be separate physical
`
`networks, separate partit