Software Update Syndication via Digital Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software distribution methods are inefficient, insecure, and inconvenient, particularly due to reliance on removable media, manual updates, and compatibility issues, leading to potential security vulnerabilities and difficulties in managing software updates across multiple vendors in corporate environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for distributing software packages that involves generating and publishing compressed packages with appended signatures, along with descriptive metadata, using standard network protocols like HTTP or FTP, allowing clients to securely and automatically download updates while verifying authenticity and compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software updates are distributed via removable media, then security can be maintained through physical control, but distribution speed and cost efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical removable media distribution system with an electronic download system using standard network protocols (HTTP, FTP). Software packages are distributed digitally through servers rather than physical media, dramatically increasing distribution speed while maintaining security through cryptographic signatures and hash verification mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components including server-side signing mechanisms that append signatures to software packages, hash computation systems that generate verification codes, and client-side verification components that validate package integrity. These intermediaries enable secure electronic distribution without requiring physical media control.
2Ease of operation
If users manually download updates from web servers, then accessibility is improved, but time consumption and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service update mechanisms where software packages automatically check for updates, download them, and install them without requiring user intervention. The system autonomously manages the entire update process including verification of package signatures and hash codes, eliminating the time-consuming manual operations while maintaining accessibility through standard web protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary actions by pre-signing software packages with digital signatures and pre-computing hash codes before distribution. This allows clients to rapidly verify package authenticity and integrity during automatic update checks, eliminating the need for users to manually verify security attributes and significantly reducing update time.
3Extent of automation
If custom update software is deployed, then automatic updates can be achieved, but configuration complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal update mechanism that works across different software applications and operating systems through standard network protocols (HTTP, FTP). The system uses common web client functionality rather than proprietary update components, allowing automatic updates without application-specific configuration while maintaining broad compatibility and simplifying management across diverse environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of update distribution by using standard web protocols instead of proprietary protocols. This parameter change allows existing web infrastructure and browsers to handle update distribution, eliminating the need for custom update components and reducing configuration complexity while maintaining automatic update capabilities.
4Reliability
If proprietary protocols are used, then update security can be maintained, but firewall compatibility and network accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the protocol parameters by adopting standard HTTP and FTP protocols instead of proprietary protocols. These standard protocols are universally supported by firewalls and proxies, enabling update distribution through existing network infrastructure without configuration changes. Security is maintained through application-layer mechanisms including digital signatures and hash verification rather than relying on proprietary protocol security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary verification mechanisms including server-side signature generation, hash computation, and client-side validation. These intermediaries provide security functions at the application layer, allowing the use of standard network protocols that are firewall-compatible while maintaining update security through cryptographic verification rather than protocol-level security.
5Reliability
If PGP-like signatures are used, then security verification can be achieved, but ease of use and popularity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex PGP signature verification process and replaces it with simpler digital signature mechanisms using widely-supported cryptographic libraries. The system appends signatures to software packages and provides automatic verification through standard web client functionality, removing the complexity of PGP key management while maintaining security verification capabilities. This makes the process transparent to users and automatically handled by the update mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service security verification where the system automatically downloads signatures, computes hash codes, and verifies package authenticity without requiring user intervention. Users simply need to enable automatic updates, and the system handles all security verification processes transparently, making secure updates as easy to use as regular automatic software updates.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for distributing software packages to one or more clients. Providing software to one or more clients can comprise generating a software package and publishing the package to a media accessible by the one or more clients. A description of the software package can also be generated and published. The description can identify the software package, contents of the software package, and uses of the software package. A client can obtain software packages from one or more servers by reading the description of software packages available on the one or more servers. A determination can be made as to whether the description indicates at least one of the software packages is available for the client. In response to determining at least one of the software packages is available for the client, the software package can be downloaded and installed on the client.