Patent ID: 6477545
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of synchronizing a first dataset with a second dataset, each of said first and second datasets comprising a plurality of corresponding records, wherein changes have been made to the records in the first dataset that have not yet been synchronized with the second dataset, the method comprising:identifying a plurality of changes to the records in the first dataset to be synchronized with individual records of the second dataset in a synchronization session, wherein said plurality of changes have not yet been synchronized with the second dataset; initiating a synchronization session to synchronize said plurality of changes from the first dataset to the second dataset; sending a subset of one or more of said plurality of changes, but not all of said plurality of changes, from said first dataset to said second dataset; receiving said subset of changes at said second dataset; sending acknowledgment of receipt of said subset of changes from said second dataset to said first dataset; receiving said acknowledgment of receipt of said subset of changes at said first dataset; propagating said subset of changes into said second dataset; and if there is no failure of said synchronization session, completing said synchronization by sending the remainder of said plurality of changes from said first dataset to said second dataset and propagating the remainder of said plurality of changes into said second dataset; or, if there is a failure of said synchronization session before the remainder of the plurality of changes are received by said second dataset and propagated into said second dataset, making said subset of changes available to a user of said second dataset and making said subset of changes available for subsequent synchronizations between said second dataset and one or more other datasets before the remainder of the plurality of changes are received by said second dataset.