Enterprise Software Update Synchronization via Server Timing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Manual software updates across multiple computers in an enterprise environment are time-consuming and can lead to version inconsistencies, posing challenges in synchronizing updates without interfering with critical data management operations.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for automatically updating software applications on client computers, where a server sends update commands, determines optimal update times, and coordinates simultaneous updates across heterogeneous systems to ensure synchronization and minimize disruption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual updates are performed on each computer individually, then update control and version synchronization are improved, but the time and administrative effort required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversion synchronizationVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables client computers to automatically download and install updates themselves when they receive an update command, eliminating the need for manual intervention on each machine while maintaining centralized control through the server's command distribution capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The update system is divided into a server component that manages update distribution and client components that execute updates locally, allowing parallel update execution across multiple machines while maintaining version synchronization through centralized command coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If updates are performed simultaneously across all computers, then version synchronization is improved, but interference with critical data management operations may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversion synchronizationVSAvoidinterference with data management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts update timing based on the operational state of client computers, allowing updates to be scheduled when systems are idle or less active, thereby maintaining version synchronization while minimizing interference with critical data management operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The server determines optimal update times in advance by monitoring system states and schedules updates accordingly, ensuring version synchronization while proactively avoiding periods when data management operations are critical

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automatic update mechanisms are implemented, then update speed and synchronization are improved, but the complexity of the update management system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate speedVSAvoidupdate management system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs multiple functions including update command generation, timing determination, and distribution coordination, while client computers execute both normal operations and self-updating, reducing overall system complexity through multi-functional components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8074213B1Automatic software updates for computer systems in an enterprise environment

Publication Date: 2011.12.06 COHESITY INC

AI summary

A system and method for automatically updating a software application deployed on a plurality of client computers are disclosed. A server computer may determine a time for the client computers to update the software application and send an update command to each of the client computers at the determined time. In response to the update command, each client computer may download an update for the software application and install the update for the software application.