Patent ID: 6115549
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for distributing software, the apparatus comprising:a network interconnecting a plurality of nodes including a source node storing software;a directory services node storing a network directory services system comprising directory services objects having attributes and managed by a directory services executable, each directory services object corresponding to an entity and operably related in a hierarchical tree to others of the directory services objects, the hierarchical tree reflecting the relationships between the entities;the directory services node being operably connected to the network and programmed to maintain a distribution object of the directory services objects, the distribution object corresponding to the software and containing attributes comprising distribution-controlling data for controlling distribution of the software, the software being independent from the directory services executable;a workstation node operably connected to the directory services node to retrieve the distribution-controlling data from the distribution object of the directory services node and programmed to distribute the software in accordance with the distribution-controlling data.