Viral Software Update via Neighbor Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software update methods in networked computers often lead to network performance degradation due to frequent queries and bandwidth bottlenecks, as numerous client computers continuously check for and download updates from a few update servers, overwhelming the I/O bandwidth and causing other network traffic to slow down or become unavailable.
Innovation Solution
A method where each networked computer performs neighbor computer discovery and software status checks to identify and update software from neighboring computers with more recent versions, eliminating the need for a central update server and reducing network traffic by confining updates locally between neighbors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If client computers continuously query update servers to check for downloadable update packages, then software updates can be automatically applied, but network I/O bandwidth of update servers is drained and other network tasks become less capable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into zones with designated update servers, where each zone has a dedicated server for update operations. This segmentation isolates update traffic from general network traffic, preventing the draining of server bandwidth that affects other network tasks. Each zone's update server handles updates for computers within that zone, distributing the load across multiple servers rather than concentrating it on a single server.
2Productivity
If multiple client computers simultaneously download update packages from the update server, then software can be updated across the network, but network bandwidth is bottlenecked and other network traffic slows down or becomes unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The network is divided into multiple zones, each with its own dedicated update server. This segmentation allows simultaneous update operations in different zones without creating a single point of congestion. Each zone's update server handles downloads for computers within that zone, distributing the bandwidth demand across multiple servers and maintaining overall network traffic speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by organizing computers and servers into geographical or logical zones. Instead of all computers accessing a single central server, updates propagate through multiple distributed servers across different zones. This dimensional expansion of the update infrastructure allows parallel download operations without saturating a single network path.
3Device complexity
If a centralized update server is used for all client computers, then update management is simplified, but the server becomes a single point of congestion and network bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized update server is segmented into multiple distributed update servers, each serving a specific zone. This segmentation maintains the simplicity of update management while distributing the bandwidth load. Each zone server is relatively simple in function, but collectively they provide sufficient bandwidth capacity for all computers in the network without creating a single point of congestion.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for virally updating software in a networked computer including performing neighbor computer discovery using the networked computer to ascertain neighbor computers and ascertaining, using the networked computer, whether any of the neighbor computers possesses an update package configured for updating the software. If a neighbor computer of the neighbor computers possesses the update package, the method includes retrieving the update package to the networked computer and updating the software in the networked computer using the update package.