Virtual Directory Server Changelog Translation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Different directory server implementations use proprietary changelog mechanisms and formats, making it difficult for clients to track and manage changes across multiple servers, as there is no standard way to uniquely identify changelog records or provide a global changelog state.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to receive changelog records from multiple directory servers with proprietary formats, translate them into a standard format, and generate a 'changelog cookie' that acts as a globally unique identifier, allowing clients to recognize a single standard changelog format and determine the origin server and global changelog state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary changelog formats are used by different directory server implementations, then each server can maintain its own change tracking mechanism, but client applications must be programmed to understand and handle multiple different changelog formats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual directory server as an intermediary layer between clients and multiple proprietary directory servers. This virtual server receives changelog records from various directory servers using their proprietary formats, translates them into a standardized virtual changelog format, and presents a unified interface to clients. This mediator approach allows clients to interact with a single standardized format while the virtual server handles the complexity of multiple proprietary formats behind the scenes.
2Reliability
If self-contained changelog identification schemes are used by each directory server implementation, then each server can independently track changes, but there is no way to uniquely identify changelog records across different server implementations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal virtual changelog format that serves multiple functions: it maintains the reliability of individual server changelog tracking while also providing global uniqueness across all directory servers. The virtual changelog records include attributes that enable both server-specific change tracking and cross-server identification, allowing clients to determine the latest global changelog state and query for incremental changes across the entire deployment.
3Productivity
If multiple proprietary changelog mechanisms are supported, then comprehensive change tracking across all directory servers is possible, but clients must be programmed to handle each format appropriately
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual directory server acts as a mediator that comprehensively collects changelog records from multiple proprietary directory server mechanisms while shielding clients from the complexity of handling each format. The virtual server translates various proprietary formats into a unified virtual changelog format, enabling comprehensive change tracking across all servers while clients only need to program against the single standardized virtual format.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for providing a consolidated view of directory changes across different directory servers. In one set of embodiments, a changelog record can be received from a directory server, where the directory server is associated with a proprietary changelog format, and where the changelog record is formatted according to the proprietary changelog format. The received changelog record can then be translated into a virtualized changelog record that is formatted according to a standard changelog format, and the virtualized changelog record can be sent to a consuming client. With this virtualization capability, the client does not need to be concerned with, or even aware of, the proprietary changelog mechanisms/formats that may be used by different directory servers in a multi-server deployment.