Peer Distribution Point Agent for Software Package Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing client-server systems for distributing software applications inefficiently use disk space on Distribution and child SMS site servers when clients do not need the software packages, and simultaneous downloads from multiple clients increase download time due to shared network usage.

Innovation Solution

A client within a group of clients with a common network address acts as a Distribution Point (PDP agent), pulling software application packages only when needed, reducing unnecessary storage and optimizing network usage by scheduling downloads efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If software application packages are pushed to all Distribution servers and child SMS site servers in advance, then clients can download packages quickly when needed, but disk space on servers is wasted when clients do not need the packages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedownload speedVSAvoiddisk space usage

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pushing software application packages to Distribution servers and child SMS site servers in advance, so that when clients need to download packages, they can do so quickly from locally cached packages rather than retrieving from remote sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by allowing each Distribution server and child SMS site server to maintain local copies of software packages, enabling clients to download from the nearest available server with cached packages, thus improving download speed while allowing selective caching based on local demand patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If multiple clients simultaneously download software packages from a Distribution server, then clients can obtain packages in parallel, but download time increases due to shared network bandwidth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistribution efficiencyVSAvoiddownload time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the client base by having clients organized in groups with common network addresses, where each group downloads from a designated child SMS site server, dividing the network traffic into separate segments that reduce contention and improve overall download efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The child SMS site server acts as an intermediary between the central Distribution server and groups of clients, buffering and managing download requests to prevent direct simultaneous access conflicts on the network, thus reducing download time while maintaining distribution efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7761503B2Peer distribution point feature for system management server

Publication Date: 2010.07.20 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A client in a plurality of clients with a same network address or similar common identifier is designated a Peer Distribution Point (PDP) agent for distributing a software application divided into several packages to the plurality of clients. The plurality of clients are part of a client-server hierarchical system comprising a Central SMS site server and several Distributing servers. The Central SMS site server generates policies for the packages that are pushed to a Distribution server assigned to the plurality of clients from where the PDP agent pulls the policies. The Central SMS site server generates the packages that are pushed to the Distributing server after the PDP agent pulls the policies. The packages are pulled by the PDP agent from the Distributing server. The other clients pull the packages from the PDP agent as and when needed.