Patent ID: 6216135
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of synchronizing data, including docking objects having data tables and visibility rules, between a central database (3) and a plurality of separate replicated databases (23a, 23b, 23c), wherein the separate, partially replicated databases reside at separate nodes (21a, 21b, 21c) from each other and the central database (3), and each partially replicated database (23a, 23b, 23c) has an associated non-binary visibility strength, the method comprising the steps of:(1) selecting a partially replicated database (23a, 23b, 23c),(2) selecting a docking object to propagate thereto,(3) determining the associated non-binary visibility strength of the selected partially replicated database (23a, 23b, 23c) to the selected docking object to be propagated,(4) determining, from the visibility of the selected partially replicated database (23a, 23b, 23c) to the docking object to be propagated, if the docking object has a visibility strength greater than or equal to the visibility strength of a data table row of the selected partially replicated database (23a, 23b, 23c), and(5) if the docking object has a visibility strength greater then or equal to the visibility strength of a data table row of the selected partially replicated database (23a, 23b, 23c), directing the node at which the selected partially replicated database (23a, 23b, 23c) resides to perform an operation on the data table row in accordance with instructions in the docking object.