Patent ID: 8074213
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for updating a software application on a plurality of client computers, the method comprising: a first server computer determining a time for each respective client computer of the plurality of client computers to update the software application, wherein the software application on each respective client computer is configured to perform data backup operations, wherein determining the time for each respective client computer to update the software application comprises monitoring the software application on the respective client computer to determine a time when the software application is not performing a data backup operation; the first server computer sending an update command to each respective client computer at the time determined for the respective client computer; each respective client computer communicating with a second server computer in response to the update command to determine whether an update is available for the software application on the respective client computer, wherein each one of a first subset of the client computers receives information from the second server computer indicating that an update is available, and wherein each one of a second subset of the client computers receives information from the second server computer indicating that no update is available; in response to receiving information from the second server computer indicating that an update is available, each respective client computer of the first subset of client computers downloading respective update information and using the respective update information to update the software application on the respective client computer; each respective client computer of the first subset of client computers sending status information to the first server computer indicating that the software application was updated on the respective client computer; and in response to receiving information from the second server computer indicating that no update is available, each respective client computer of the second subset of client computers sending status information to the first server computer indicating that no update is available for the software application on the respective client computer.