Systems, methods and computer program products for application environment synchronization between remote devices and on-premise devices

The invention provides systems, methods and computer program products for executing remote application iteration(s) of client application software on a remote server platform, and for enabling each remote application iteration of a client application software to have access to a corresponding instance of an application software environment that contains or otherwise has access to data object(s) necessary for execution of the remote application iteration. The invention additionally enables execution of a remote application iteration of a client software application at a remote server platform, through need-based or dynamic retrieval of data objects from an on-premise device for provisioning (on the remote platform server) an instance of the client software application environment required for execution of the remote application iteration of the client software application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the domain of cloud based or remote device based computing, and more particularly to methods, systems and computer program products for enabling remote device based execution of a client software application through need-based or dynamic retrieval of data objects by the remote device from an on-premise device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cloud based or network based data centers for providing on-demand computing infrastructure has become widespread. Client application software that were previously executed only on computing devices within the premises of an entity or organization (“On-premise device(s)”), is now capable of being executed on remote servers or remote computing devices located at a remote facility outside the client premises (for example, within a server farm or cloud).

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary system environment100that is configured to provide a cloud based infrastructure for remote execution of client application software. System environment100comprises on-premise device102, network104and remote server platform106.

On-premise device102may comprise any server102aand/or other computing device102bhaving a client application software installed thereon, and having a corresponding application environment implemented thereon. The application environment corresponding to the client application software comprises a plurality of data objects (e.g. software data files) stored within a file system associated with on-premise device102—the one or more data objects comprising (i) application software data objects—comprising data objects that include application software code, application software libraries and/or application software data files, and/or (ii) user generated data objects—comprising user specific data or user generated data associated with operations of the application software code.

Network104may comprise any data network that enables data communication between entities connected to the network—and may in various non-limiting embodiments include any of a local area network, wide area network, distributed data network, or internetwork such as the Internet.

Remote server platform106comprises a remote server106aand a memory or database106bcommunicatively coupled thereto. Remote server106ais configured to instantiate and run within remote server platform106, a remote iteration (i.e. remote instance) of the client application software that is installed on on-premise device102. For the purposes of instantiating and executing the remote iteration of the client application software, remote server platform106would have installed thereon, an iteration of executable application software code corresponding to the client application software. Additionally however, remote server106arequires access to an application environment (within remote server platform106), corresponding to the remote iteration of the client application software that is installed within remote server platform106. The application environment within remote server platform106provides the remote iteration of the client application software with access to application software data objects and user generated data objects necessary for execution of the remote iteration of the client application software.

It would be understood that the application environment within remote server platform106requires to have stored therewithin, application software data objects and user generated data objects that are consistent with a corresponding application environment that is stored at on-premise device102. Failure to ensure that the application environment within the remote server has access to all necessary data objects from an application environment within on-premise device102results in either (i) failure or error in execution of the remote iteration of the client application software, or (ii) data outputs from the remote iteration of the client application software that are inconsistent with data outputs that would have been generated by a corresponding execution of the client application software within on-premise device102.

Existing solutions to enable cloud based execution of client application software resolve this problem by cloning or reproducing the entire application environment from on-premise device102, at remote server platform106, prior to executing the remote iteration of the client application software. This approach has been found to have several drawbacks.

The first serious drawback is that reproducing the entire application environment at remote server platform106is data and time intensive. Depending on network bandwidth and network latency, the process of provisioning the necessary application environment within remote server platform106can involve significant amounts of time, and a large network overhead—arising from the need to reproduce all data objects within the application environment, regardless of whether they are actually required for the remote application iteration that is being executed at remote server platform106.

Additionally, a user may want to run multiple remote iterations of the client application software within remote server platform106—in which case, each remote iteration of the client application software will require to generate and provision a corresponding instance of the application environment at remote server platform106. This exponentially increases the overhead and latency concerns—and in certain cases may place undesirable or unserviceable loads upon on-premise device102. At the same time, generating a single common instance of the application environment at remote server platform106for use by all remote application iterations of the client application software is not feasible, as each remote application iteration of the client application software requires to independently operate on and effect state changes within the corresponding application environment—and changes made by a first remote application iteration of the client application software may interfere with the desired operation of a second remote application iteration of the client application software.

There is accordingly a need for a secure, effective and computationally efficient solution for executing remote application iteration(s) of client application software on a remote server platform, and for enabling each remote application iteration of a client application software to have access to a corresponding instance of an application software environment that has access to all necessary data objects required for execution of that remote application iteration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides systems, methods and computer program products for executing remote application iteration(s) of client application software on a remote server platform, and for enabling each remote application iteration of a client application software to have access to a corresponding instance of an application software environment that has access to all data objects necessary for execution of such remote application iteration. The invention additionally enables execution of a remote application iteration of a client software application at a remote server platform, through need-based or dynamic retrieval of data objects from an on-premise device for appropriately provisioning the remote platform server to execute the remote iteration of the client software application.

The invention provides a method for execution of an application software iteration at a remote server through network based access to an on-premise device. The method comprises (i) instantiating at the remote server (a) a remote application iteration of a client application software, wherein said client application software has a corresponding local instance of an application environment stored on the on-premise device, and (b) a remote application environment instance corresponding to the remote application iteration, (ii) executing at the remote server, application software code corresponding to the remote application iteration, (iii) identifying one or more data objects required by the application software code, (iv) responsive to determining that the identified one or more data objects are not available within the remote application environment instance, initiating retrieval of the identified one or more data objects from the local instance of an application environment stored on the on-premise device, and (v) executing the application software code at the remote server based on the one or more data objects retrieved from the local instance of an application environment stored on the on-premise device.

In an embodiment of the method, the remote server receives from the on-premise device, metadata describing one or more data states associated with the local instance of the application environment stored on the on-premise device.

In a specific method embodiment, the metadata received at the remote server is metadata that is selected for transmission from the on-premise device to the remote server based on the one or more data objects that have been retrieved from the local instance of an application environment stored on the on-premise device.

In one embodiment of the method, the metadata received at the remote server comprises data that describes attributes of one or more data files, data records, directories, folders or file paths within a file system corresponding to the on-premise device.

In another method embodiment, metadata received at the remote server is application environment data associated with each file system directory or file system folder of the on-premise device from which one or more data objects have been retrieved and transmitted to the remote server.

In a particular embodiment of the method, the remote server (i) generates or modifies a metadata image based on metadata received from the on-premise device, and (ii) stores the metadata image in a memory accessible by the remote server, and associating the stored metadata image with the remote application environment instance.

In an exemplary embodiment of the method, retrieving the identified one or more data objects from the local instance of an application environment stored on the on-premise device comprises (i) parsing the stored metadata image that is associated with the remote application environment instance for metadata corresponding to the identified one or more data objects, and (ii) responsive to retrieval of metadata corresponding to the identified one or more data objects from the metadata image, transmit to the on-premise device, a data object retrieval request message that includes all or some of the metadata retrieved from the metadata image.

In a method embodiment, the identified one or more data objects that are subsequently received from the on-premise device in response to the transmitted data object retrieval request message, are retrieved from the on-premise device based on the metadata included within the data object retrieval request message.

The invention additionally provides a system for execution of an application software iteration at a remote server through network based access to an on-premise device, the system comprising a remote server configured for (i) instantiating (a) a remote application iteration of a client application software, wherein said client application software has a corresponding local instance of an application environment stored on the on-premise device, and (b) a remote application environment instance corresponding to the remote application iteration, (ii) executing application software code corresponding to the remote application iteration, (iii) identifying one or more data objects required by the application software code, (iv) responsive to determining that the identified one or more data objects are not available within the remote application environment instance, initiating retrieval of the identified one or more data objects from the local instance of an application environment stored on the on-premise device, and (v) executing the application software code at the remote server based on the one or more data objects retrieved from the local instance of an application environment stored on the on-premise device.

In an embodiment of the system, the remote server is configured to receive from the on-premise device, metadata describing one or more data states associated with the local instance of the application environment stored on the on-premise device.

In another embodiment of the system, the metadata received at the remote server is metadata that is selected for transmission from the on-premise device to the remote server based on the one or more data objects that have been retrieved from the local instance of an application environment stored on the on-premise device.

The system may be configured such that the metadata received at the remote server comprises data that describes attributes of one or more data files, data records, directories, folders or file paths within a file system corresponding to the on-premise device.

The system may further be configured such that, the metadata received at the remote server is application environment data associated with each file system directory or file system folder of the on-premise device from which one or more data objects have been retrieved and transmitted to the remote server.

In a system embodiment, the remote server is configured to (i) generates or modifies a metadata image based on metadata received from the on-premise device, and (ii) store the metadata image in a memory accessible by the remote server, and associating the stored metadata image with the remote application environment instance.

In another system embodiment, the remote server is configured such that, retrieving the identified one or more data objects from the local instance of an application environment stored on the on-premise device comprises (i) parsing the stored metadata image that is associated with the remote application environment instance for metadata corresponding to the identified one or more data objects, and (ii) responsive to retrieval of metadata corresponding to the identified one or more data objects from the metadata image, transmit to the on-premise device, a data object retrieval request message that includes all or some of the metadata retrieved from the metadata image.

In a particular embodiment of the system as claimed in claim15, wherein the identified one or more data objects that are subsequently received from the on-premise device in response to the transmitted data object retrieval request message, are retrieved from the on-premise device based on the metadata included within the data object retrieval request message.

The invention additionally provides a computer program product for execution of an application software iteration at a remote server through network based access to an on-premise device. The computer program product comprises a non-transitory computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code comprising instructions for implementing within a processor based computing system, the steps of (i) instantiating at the remote server (a) a remote application iteration of a client application software, wherein said client application software has a corresponding local instance of an application environment stored on the on-premise device, and (b) a remote application environment instance corresponding to the remote application iteration, (ii) executing at the remote server, application software code corresponding to the remote application iteration, (iii) identifying one or more data objects required by the application software code, (iv) responsive to determining that the identified one or more data objects are not available within the remote application environment instance, initiating retrieval of the identified one or more data objects from the local instance of an application environment stored on the on-premise device and (v) executing the application software code at the remote server based on the one or more data objects retrieved from the local instance of an application environment stored on the on-premise device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides systems, methods and computer program products for executing remote application iteration(s) of client application software on a remote server platform, and for enabling each remote application iteration of a client application software to have access to a corresponding instance of an application software environment that contains or otherwise has access to data object(s) necessary for execution of the remote application iteration. The invention additionally enables execution of a remote application iteration of a client software application at a remote server platform, through need-based or dynamic retrieval of data objects from an on-premise device for provisioning (on the remote platform server) an instance of the client software application environment required for execution of the remote application iteration of the client software application.

FIG. 2illustrates an embodiment of a system environment200configured in accordance with the teachings of the present invention for remote execution of client application software.

On-premise device202may comprise any server202aand/or other computing device202bhaving a client application software installed thereon, and having a corresponding application environment implemented thereon. The application environment corresponding to the client application software comprises a plurality of data objects (e.g. software data files) stored within a file system associated with the on-premise device—the one or more data objects comprising (i) application software data objects—comprising data objects that include application software code, and application software attribute data and/or (ii) user generated data objects—comprising user data associated with operations of the application software code.

Network204may comprise any data network that enables data communication between entities connected to the network—and may in various non-limiting embodiments include any of a local area network, wide area network, distributed data network, or internetwork such as the Internet.

Remote server platform206comprises at least one remote application iteration2062implemented on a remote server or a processor within remote server platform206. Remote application iteration2062is a remote instance of a client application software that is installed on the on-premise device202, which remote instance is being executed within remote server platform206.

Remote server platform206additionally comprises an application environment instance2064that is generated or implemented within remote server platform206—and more particularly within a memory within or coupled with remote server platform206. Application environment instance2064is a local instance of an application environment corresponding to the remote application iteration of the client application software that is installed or running within remote server platform206. This application environment instance2064within remote server platform206provides remote application iteration2062of the client application software, with access to application software data objects and user generated data objects that are required for execution of the remote application iteration2062at remote server platform206.

As shown inFIG. 2, application environment instance2064comprises application environment metadata2066and application environment object data2068. The application environment metadata2066and application environment object data2068provide remote application iteration2026with access to application software data objects and user generated data objects that are required for execution of the remote application iteration2062at remote server platform206. It would be understood that application software data objects may comprise data objects that include application software code, application software libraries and application software data files, while user generated data objects may comprise user specific data or user generated data associated with operations of the application software code.

Application environment object data2068may include any one or more of data files or data records stored within a file system, one or more directories, folders or file paths within the file system, and one or more directories, folders or file paths that include any of nested data files, nested data records, nested directories or nested folders.

Application environment metadata2066comprises one or more data items, data elements or data records that describes attributes of a data file, data record, directory, folder, or file path within a file system. The attributes described by application environment metadata2066may include without limitation, one or more of file size, file location, owner and type of the file, file access permissions (e.g. read, write, execute), owner and type of the directory, file contents within a directory, date of file creation, date of last file modification, date of directory creation, date of last directory modification etc.

During execution of remote application iteration2062within remote server platform206, the remote application iteration2062retrieves and relies on application environment object data2068and application environment metadata2066within application environment instance2064. The application environment metadata2066and application environment object data2068is retrieved from on-premise device202through network204and is stored within remote server platform206(according to embodiments of the invention that are described in more detail below), for enabling execution of remote application iteration2062. In particular embodiments, retrieval of application environment metadata2066and application environment object data2068from on-premise device202is controlled or implemented by remote application iteration2062—which may be configured for network based communication with, and data retrieval from, on-premise device202.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, remote server platform206enables execution of a plurality of remote application iterations corresponding to a client software application, on one or more remote servers or processors within remote server platform206.FIG. 3Aillustrates an embodiment of a system environment300A configured in accordance with the teachings of the present invention for remote execution of a plurality of remote application iterations corresponding to a client application software.

System environment300A comprises on-premise device302, and remote server platform306that are communicatively coupled with each other through one or more communication networks (not shown in the Figure).

As in the case of system environment200, on-premise device302within system environment300A may comprise any server and/or other computing device having a client application software installed thereon, and having a corresponding application environment implemented thereon.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 3A, remote server platform306is configured to remotely execute n remote iterations of a client software application—wherein each remotely executed iteration within remote server platform306comprises an implementation of a remote application iteration and a corresponding application environment instance. In system environment300A, a first remote iteration306aof the client software application comprises remote application iteration 1 (3062a) and a corresponding application environment instance 1 (3064a), a second remote iteration306bof the client software application comprises remote application iteration 2 (3062b) and a corresponding application environment instance 2 (3064b), upto an nth remote iteration306cof the client software application which comprises remote application iteration n (3062c) and a corresponding application environment instance n (3064c).

As discussed above in connection withFIG. 2, each remote application iteration3062a,3062band3062cis a remote executed instance of a client application software that is installed on on-premise device302that is being executed within remote platform server306.

Additionally, each of remote application iterations 1 to n (3062a,3062band3062c) has a corresponding application environment instance 1 to n (3064a,3064b,3064c) that is generated for and coupled with said remote application iteration. The application environment instances 1 to n (3064a,3064b,3064c) are stored within a memory within or coupled with remote server platform306. Each application environment instance 1 to n (3064a,3064b,3064c) provides its respective remote application iteration 1 to n (3062a,3062b,3062c) of the client application software, with access to application software data objects and user generated data objects that are required for execution of the remote application iterations 1 to n (3062a,3062b,3062c) at remote server platform306.

While not specifically illustrated inFIG. 3A, each, application environment instance 1 to n (3064a,3064b,3064c) comprises application environment metadata and application environment object data of the type described above in connection withFIG. 2.

During execution of each remote application iteration 1 to n (3062a,3062b,3062c) within remote server platform306, each of the remote application iterations 1 to n retrieves and relies on application environment object data and application environment metadata within the corresponding application environment instance 1 to n (3064a,3064b,3064c). The application environment metadata and application environment object data is retrieved from on-premise device302and is stored within remote server platform306according to embodiments of the invention that are described in more detail below, for the purposes of enabling execution of remote application iterations 1 to n (3062a,3062b,3062c). In particular embodiments of the invention, retrieval of application environment metadata and application environment object data from on-premise device302is controlled or implemented by the concerned remote application iteration 1 to n (3062a,3062b,3062c)—which may be configured for network based communication with, and data retrieval from, on-premise device302.

In embodiments of the invention where system environment300A is used for remote execution of a plurality of remote application iterations 1 to n (3062a,3062b,3062c) corresponding to a client application software, the system environment may rely on one or more data records to correlate client application software that is being remotely executed, with the plurality of running remote application iterations 1 to n (3062a,3062b,3062c), and with their respective application environment instances 1 to n (3064a,3064b,3064c), and additionally with the user that has initiated or is controlling the plurality of running remote application iterations 1 to n (3062a,3062b,3062c).

FIG. 3Billustrates an exemplary data structure300B of a type that may be used to generated data records of the kind described above, that may be used to correlate client application software that is being remotely executed, with the plurality of running remote application iterations.

As shown inFIG. 3B, exemplary data structure300B comprises data fields308to316.

Data field308is used to store a User ID associated with a particular remote application iteration that is being executed within system environment300A. The User ID comprises a unique identifier associated with a user or a user account associated with the system environment300A and which user or user account is responsible for or controls the execution of the corresponding one or more running or stored remote application iterations3062a,3062b,3062ccorresponding to a client application software within system environment300A.

Data field310is used to store an Application ID associated with a particular remote application iteration that is being executed within system environment300A. The Application ID comprises a unique identifier associated with the client application software, remote application iteration(s) whereof are being executed within system environment300A.

Data field312is used to store a Remote Application Iteration ID for each remote application iteration that is being executed within system environment300A. The Remote Application Iteration ID comprises a unique identifier associated with a specific remote application iteration corresponding to a client application software that is being executed within system environment300A.

Data field314is used to store an Environment Instance ID associated with a particular remote application iteration that is being executed within system environment300A. The Environment Instance ID comprises a unique identifier associated with a specific application environment instance that is generated for and coupled with a particular remote application iteration.

Data field316is used to store on-premise application information corresponding to a particular remote application iteration that is being executed within system environment300A. The on-premise application information may comprise any information, network addresses, storage addresses, and/or other data location pointers, describing an on-premise device at which the on-premise client application software is installed, an application environment within the on-premise device that corresponds to the client application software, and/or one or more data objects corresponding to the client application software that are stored within said application environment.

It would be understood that each remote application iteration3062a,3062b,3062cexecuted within system environment300A would have a corresponding data record of the type discussed in connection withFIG. 3B, wherein the data record would store the User ID, Application ID, Remote Application Iteration ID and Environment Instance ID corresponding to said remote application iteration. The data elements within said data record would enable processing entities within system environment300A to correlate and appropriately retrieve and transmit data records and data messages between remote application iterations and their corresponding remote application environment instances, and a corresponding client application software or application environment that is implemented within an on-premise device—to enable execution of each such remote application iteration.

FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing a remote iteration of a client software application at a remote server platform based on dynamic retrieval of data from an on-premise device for provisioning an instance of a client software application environment maintained at the remote server platform. The method ofFIG. 4may be implemented partially or wholly within a remote server within a remote server platform (206,306) of the type illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3A.

Step402comprises instantiation of a remote application iteration at a remote server. The remote server may comprise a server within a remote server platform206,306within system environment200,300A. The remote application iteration at the remote server may be instantiated in response to receiving an instruction (for example a user instruction or a system instruction) for instantiation. In a particular embodiment, the instruction for instantiation may include one or more of (i) information identifying the client software application for which a remote application iteration is intended to be run (for example, by way of an Application ID), (ii) information identifying a specific on-premise instance of a client software application and/or corresponding application environment, to which the remote application iteration corresponds, (iii) information identifying a user or user account instantiating or controlling the remote application iteration, and/or (iv) information identifying or describing an on-premise device at which the on-premise client application software is installed.

Step404comprises instantiating or generating at the remote server, an application environment instance corresponding to the remote application iteration that has been instantiated at step402.

Step406comprises initiating at the remote server, execution of application software code corresponding to the remote application iteration instantiated at step402. In an embodiment of the method, the application software code under execution may be retrieved from a memory associated with or communicably coupled with the remote server.

Step408comprises identifying one or more data object(s) required by the application software code under execution. In a particular embodiment identification of the one or more data object(s) occurs after execution of the application software code has been initiated at step406. The identified data object(s) may comprise one or more software data files required for execution of the application software code. As discussed above, the data objects may further comprise (i) application software data objects—comprising data objects that include application software code, application software libraries and application software data files, and/or (ii) user generated data objects—comprising user specific data or user generated data associated with operations of the application software code.

In a preferred embodiment, the identification of data object(s) at step408is an event based (or “dynamic”) identification. The identification of data object(s) required for execution of the application software code may be achieved in multiple ways. In one embodiment, identification of a required data object is based on receiving from the application software code under execution, an application call, or application request or application data message requesting the data object. In another embodiment, identification of one or more data object(s) required for execution of the application software code may be a predictive identification—wherein the required data object(s) are identified based on predictive methods or algorithms, in advance of (or prior to) receiving (from the application software code under execution), an application call, or application request or application data message requesting the data object. In yet another embodiment, the identification of one or more data object(s) required for execution of the application software code may be a rule and event based identification—wherein the required data object(s) are identified based on detection of one or more events or one or more changes in data state, and the required data object(s) are identified based on one or more rules, indicia or heuristics that associate the detected event(s) or change(s) in state with one or more data object(s) that would be required for execution of the application software code.

Step410comprises determining whether the required data object(s) is/are available for retrieval within the application environment instance corresponding to the remote application iteration, that has been instantiated at step404(i.e. the application environment instantiated at the remote server).

In response to determining that the required data object(s) is/are not available for retrieval within the application environment instance corresponding to the remote application iteration, that has been instantiated at step404—step412comprises initiating retrieval of the required data object(s) from an application environment maintained within an on-premise device at which a local instance of the client software application and corresponding data object(s) are available. In an embodiment, the on-premise device may be identified by the remote server, based on information received at step402or based on information extracted from the application software code under execution, or based on information received from the remote application iteration.

Step414comprises storing the data object(s) that has been retrieved from the on-premise device (at step412), within the application environment instance that has been instantiated at step404.

Step416comprises executing the application software code at the remote server, based on the one or more data object(s) that have been retrieved at step412and that are stored within the relevant application environment instance at step414.

FIG. 5is a communication flow diagram illustrating communication flow between system entities involved in implementing the method ofFIG. 4.

At step5002, remote server502receives an instruction for instantiating a remote application iteration at remote server502. As discussed above, the instruction for instantiation may include one or more of (i) information identifying the client software application for which a remote application iteration is intended to be run (for example, by way of an Application ID), (ii) information identifying a client software application and/or corresponding application environment that is implemented within an on-premise device, and to which the remote application iteration corresponds, (iii) information identifying a user or user account instantiating or controlling the remote application iteration, and/or (iv) information identifying or describing an on-premise device at which the on-premise client application software is installed.

Responsive to receiving the instruction, remote server502(i) instantiates the remote application iteration, (ii) instantiates an application environment instance corresponding to this remote application iteration, and (iii) identifies one or more data object(s) required for execution of application software code corresponding to the remote application iteration that has been instantiated. As shown inFIG. 5, remote server502thereafter determines that the identified one or more data object(s) are not available within the application environment instance that corresponds to the remote application environment under execution.

Responsive to this determination, at step5004, remote server502transmits to on-premise device504, a request for retrieval of the identified data object(s). On-premise device504may comprise a device at which a local instance of the client software application that corresponds to the remote application iteration, is available. In an embodiment, on-premise device504may be identified by remote server502based on information within the request received at step5002, or based on information extracted from the application software code under execution, or based on information received from the remote application iteration.

On-premise device504responds to the received request by retrieving the identified data object(s) from a memory associated or coupled with on-premise device504. Step5006thereafter comprises transmitting the requested data object(s) from on-premise device504to remote server506.

Remote server502stores the data object(s) that has been transmitted at step5006, and may subsequently use such data object(s) for executing application software code corresponding to the remote application iteration, at remote server502.

FIG. 6is a flowchart illustrating a method for dynamic retrieval of data or data object(s) from an on-premise device for provisioning an instance of a client software application environment maintained at a remote server platform. It would be understood that the method of dynamic retrieval of data as illustrated inFIG. 6may be used for the purposes of implementing the method more generally described and illustrated above, in connection withFIGS. 4 and 5.

Step602ofFIG. 6comprises identifying, at a remote server one or more data object(s) required for provisioning an application environment instance corresponding to a remote application iteration that is being executed at the remote server (in accordance with the method ofFIG. 4). As discussed in connection with step408ofFIG. 4, in certain embodiments, the identified data object(s) may comprise one or more software data files required for execution the application code. As discussed above, the identified data object(s) may further comprise (i) application software data objects—comprising data objects that include application software code, application software libraries and application software data files, and/or (ii) user generated data objects—comprising user specific data or user generated data associated with operations of the application software code.

Additionally, as discussed in connection with step408ofFIG. 4, the identification of data object(s) at step602may be an event based (or “dynamic”) identification, and may include any of (i) identification of a required data object based on receiving from the application software code under execution, an application call, or application request or application data message requesting the data object, (ii) identification of one or more data object(s) by predictive identification—wherein the required data object(s) are identified based on predictive methods or algorithms, in advance of (or prior to) receiving (from the application software code under execution), an application call, or application request or application data message requesting the data object, and (iii) identification of one or more data object(s) by way of a rule and event based identification—wherein the required data object(s) are identified based on detection of one or more events or one or more changes in data state, and the required data object(s) are identified based on one or more rules, indicia or heuristics that associate the detected event(s) or change(s) in state with one or more data object(s) that would be required for execution of the application software code.

Step604comprises transmitting, from the remote server to an on-premise device, at which a local instance of the client software application and a corresponding on-premise application environment are maintained, a request for retrieval of the data object(s) identified at step602. In an embodiment, the request for retrieval may be transmitted to the on-premise device in response to a prior determination that the required data object(s) is/are not available for retrieval within the application environment instance corresponding to the remote application iteration, that is being executed at the remote server.

Step606comprises retrieving at the on-premise device, and thereafter transmitting to the remote server, the requested one or more data object(s). In an embodiment, the one or more data object(s) are retrieved from a memory associated or coupled with the on-premise device. In another embodiment, the one or more data object(s) are retrieved from an on-premise application environment corresponding to the local instance of the concerned client application software that is maintained at the on-premise device.

Step608comprises additionally retrieving from the on-premise device, and thereafter transmitting to the remote server, metadata describing one or more data states associated with the on-premise application environment corresponding to the local instance of the concerned client application software that is maintained at the on-premise device. The metadata retrieved and transmitted at step608is application environment metadata—i.e. one or more data items, data elements or data records that describe attributes of a data file, data record, directory, folder, or file path within a file system. The attributes described by application environment metadata may include one or more of file size, file location, owner and type of the file, file access permissions (e.g. read, write, execute), owner and type of the directory, file contents within a directory, date of file creation, date of last file modification, date of directory creation, date of last directory modification etc.

In an embodiment of the method ofFIG. 6, the metadata retrieved at step608is application environment metadata that is identified and selected for transmission, based on the one or more data object(s) that have been retrieved and transmitted to the remote server at step606. In a more particular embodiment, the metadata retrieved at step608is application environment data associated with a file system directory or file system folder within a memory associated or coupled with the on-premise device, from which directory or folder at least one of the data object(s) transmitted at step606have been retrieved. In a yet more particular embodiment, the metadata retrieved at step608is application environment data associated with each file system directory or file system folder of the on-premise device from which the data object(s) transmitted at step606have been retrieved.

Step610comprises storing the data object(s) and the metadata received from the on-premise device, within the application environment instance that is being provisioned, and/or within a memory that is within or communicably coupled with the remote server and which memory is linked with, associated with or allocated to the application environment instance that is being provisioned at the remote server.

The data object(s) stored at step610may thereafter be used for executing application software code corresponding to the remote application iteration that is being executed at the remote server (as discussed above in connection with step416ofFIG. 4).

The utilization of the metadata stored at step610for achieving the objectives of the invention is discussed in more detail below, in connection withFIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 7is a communication flow diagram illustrating communication flow between system entities involved in implementing the method ofFIG. 6.

Step7002ofFIG. 7comprises receiving at remote server702, an instruction, input, or data message identifying one or more data object(s) that are required for provisioning an application environment instance corresponding to a remote application iteration that is being executed at the remote server. The identified data object(s) may comprise one or more software data files required for execution of the application software code. The identified data object(s) may further comprise (i) application software data objects—comprising data objects that include application software code, application software libraries and application software data files, and/or (ii) user generated data objects—comprising user specific data or user generated data associated with operations of the application software code.

At step7004, remote server702transmits to on-premise device704(at which a local instance of the client software application and a corresponding on-premise application environment are maintained), a request for retrieval of the data object(s) identified at step7002. In an embodiment, the request for retrieval may be transmitted to the on-premise device704in response to a prior determination that the required data object(s) is/are not available for retrieval within the application environment instance corresponding to the remote application iteration, that is being executed at the remote server.

On-premise device704retrieves the requested one or more data object(s) from a memory associated or coupled with the on-premise device. In another embodiment, the one or more data object(s) are retrieved from the on-premise application environment corresponding to the local instance of the concerned client application software. Thereafter, step7006comprises transmitting from on-premise device704to remote server702, the requested one or more data object(s).

On-premise device704additionally retrieves from a memory within or communicably coupled therewith, metadata describing one or more data states associated with the on-premise application environment corresponding to the local instance of the concerned client application software.

At step7008, the retrieved metadata is transmitted from on-premise device704to remote server702. As discussed above (in connection withFIG. 6), the metadata retrieved and transmitted at step7008is application environment metadata—i.e. one or more data items, data elements or data records that describes attributes of a data file, data record, directory, folder, or file path within a file system. The attributes described by application environment metadata may include one or more of file size, file location, owner and type of the file, file access permissions (e.g. read, write, execute), owner and type of the directory, file contents within a directory, date of file creation, date of last file modification, date of directory creation, date of last directory modification etc.

In a particular embodiment, the metadata transmitted at step7008is application environment metadata that is identified and selected for transmission, based on the one or more data object(s) that have been retrieved and transmitted to the remote server at step7006. In a more particular embodiment, the metadata transmitted at step7008is application environment data associated with a file system directory or file system folder within a memory associated or coupled with the on-premise device, from which directory or folder at least one of the data object(s) transmitted at step7006have been retrieved. In a yet more particular embodiment, the metadata transmitted at step7008is application environment data associated with each file system directory or file system folder of the on-premise device from which the data object(s) transmitted at step7006have been retrieved.

Step7010comprises transmitting from remote server702to the remote application iteration706that is under execution, the data object(s) received at step7006. Said data object(s) are transmitted for the purposes of provisioning the application environment instance corresponding to the remote application environment706that is under execution at remote server702.

Step7012comprises transmitting from remote server702to the remote application iteration706that is under execution, the metadata received at step7008—for the purposes of provisioning the application environment instance corresponding to the remote application environment706that is under execution at remote server702.

Step7014comprises remote application iteration706provisioning the application environment instance that is associated with remote application iteration706, with the received data object(s) and metadata.

FIG. 8is a flowchart illustrating a method for identifying metadata and retrieving metadata from an on-premise device for provisioning an instance of a client software application environment maintained at a remote server platform. It would be understood that the method ofFIG. 8is implemented partially or wholly within an on-premise device from which a remote server seeks to retrieve data object(s) for provisioning an application environment instance corresponding to a remote application iteration that is under execution at the remote server. It will further be noted that in certain embodiments of the invention, the method ofFIG. 8may be used to implement step608ofFIG. 6.

Step802comprises identifying at an on-premise device, a subset of the on-premise application environment for metadata retrieval and transmission. The on-premise device is the device from which one or more data object(s) have been requested by a remote application iteration that is being executed at a remote server, The identification of the subset of the on-premise application environment within the on-premise device, is based on attributes of the one or more data object(s) that have been requested by the remote application iteration. Said one or more data object(s) may already have been retrieved and transmitted from the on-premise device to the remote server. In a particular embodiment, the sub-set of the on-premise application environment that is identified comprises a file system directory or file system folder within a memory associated or coupled with the on-premise device, and from which directory or folder at least one of the data object(s) (that have been requested by the remote application iteration) have been retrieved.

Step804comprises retrieving metadata corresponding to the identified subset of the on-premise application environment, from a memory associated with the on-premise device. In an embodiment, the retrieved metadata may include one or more of file size, file location, file access permissions (e.g. read, write, execute, delete), file contents within a directory, date of file creation, date of last file modification, date of directory creation, date of last directory modification etc., corresponding to the identified subset of the on-premise application environment. In a further embodiment, the retrieved data includes one or more of file size, file location, file access permissions (e.g. read, write, execute, delete), file contents within a directory, date of file creation, date of last file modification, date of directory creation, date of last directory modification etc., corresponding to files and/or sub-directories or sub-folders within a file system directory or file system folder within a memory associated or coupled with the on-premise device. The directory or folder may comprise a directory or folder from which at least one of the data object(s) (that have been requested by the remote application iteration) have been retrieved.

Step806comprises transmitting the retrieved metadata from the on-premise device to the remote server.

FIG. 9is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating a metadata image of an on-premise application environment, for provisioning an instance of a client software application environment maintained at a remote server platform. The method ofFIG. 9may be implemented entirely or partially at a remote server at which a remote application iteration is under execution in accordance with the method ofFIG. 4. In an embodiment, the method ofFIG. 9may be used to implement method step610ofFIG. 6.

Step902comprises receiving, at an application environment instance implemented within the remote server, metadata transmitted from an on-premise device. The received metadata is metadata that has been transmitted to the remote server from the on-premise device in accordance with the method ofFIG. 8. The received metadata corresponds to a subset of the on-premise application environment from which data object(s) have been retrieved for provisioning of an application environment instance that is implemented within the remote server, and which application environment instance corresponds to a remote application iteration being executed at the remote server.

Step904comprises modifying or generating (at the remote server) a metadata image of the on-premise application environment, based on the received metadata. In one embodiment, where the remote server does not have a previously generated metadata image of the on-premise application environment, the received metadata may be used to generate a new metadata image and store it within the application environment instance that corresponds to a remote application iteration being executed at the remote server. In another embodiment, where the remote server may have a previously generated metadata image of the on-premise application environment, and in which case, the received metadata may be used to modify the previously existing metadata image, or to substitute the previously existing metadata image, or to generate a second metadata image of the on-premise application environment.

The application of this modified or generated metadata image by the remote server is discussed in connection withFIG. 10below.

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating a method for requesting from an on-premise device, one or more data objects associated with a remote application iteration of a client application software that is being executed at a remote server platform. The method ofFIG. 10may be implemented entirely or partially at a remote server at which a remote application iteration is under execution in accordance with the method ofFIG. 4.

Step1002comprises identifying at a remote server, a data object(s) required for execution of application software code corresponding to a remote application iteration that is hosted or being executed at the remote server. The identification of the data object(s) may be achieved in accordance with any of the embodiments discussed above in connection with step408ofFIG. 4.

At step1004, the remote server determines that the identified data object(s) is/are unavailable within an application environment instance that is stored within a memory associated with the remote server, and which corresponds to the remote application iteration.

Responsive to the determination at step1004, step1006comprises parsing a metadata image retrieved from the application environment instance at the remote server, for the purpose of identifying any available metadata corresponding to the identified data object(s). It would be understood that metadata image that is parsed at step1006may comprise a metadata image generated in accordance with the method ofFIG. 9.

The metadata corresponding to the identified data object(s) for which the metadata image is parsed may comprise any one or more data items, data elements or data records that describes attributes of the one or more data object(s) that describe the storage and/or location of the data object(s) within an on-premise device. These data object attributes may include one or more of file size, file location, owner and type of the file, file access permissions (e.g. read, write, execute), owner and type of the directory, file contents within a directory, date of file creation, date of last file modification, date of directory creation, date of last directory modification etc., corresponding to an instance or a copy of the relevant data object as stored within the on-premise device.

Step1008comprises generating a request for retrieval of the identified data object(s) from the on-premise device, wherein parameters of the generated request are based on metadata parsed and extracted from the metadata image at step1006.

Step1010comprises transmitting the generated request for retrieval of the identified data object(s) to the on-premise device from the remote server.

FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating a specific method of generating a data object retrieval request for provisioning an instance of a client software application that is being executed at a remote server. The method ofFIG. 11may be implemented entirely or partially at a remote server at which a remote application iteration is under execution in accordance with the method ofFIG. 4. It would be understood that the method ofFIG. 11may be implemented for executing method steps1006and1008described more generally in connection withFIG. 10.

Step1102comprises parsing a metadata image retrieved from an application environment instance stored within a remote server, for metadata corresponding to an identified data object(s) that is required by the remote server for executing a remote application iteration. The identified data object(s) are data object(s) that require to be requested from an on-premise device (as discussed in connection with step1006ofFIG. 10).

Step1104comprises generating and transmitting to the on-premise device, a first type of data object retrieval request message. The first type of data object retrieval request message is generated and transmitted in response to successful retrieval of metadata corresponding to the identified data object(s) from the metadata image.

By way of further explanation, in the event the metadata image parsing at step1102identifies any available metadata corresponding to the required data object(s), the parameter attributes of the first type of data object retrieval request message (requesting retrieval of the identified data objects from the on-premise device) will include all or some of such metadata. These parameter attributes may thereafter be used by the on-premise device to optimally search for, retrieve and transmit the requested data object(s) to the remote server. Receiving such parameter attributes from the remote server has been found to significantly reduce the data and time overheads in the look-up and retrieval process, and has been found to make the overall process of data object retrieval from the on-premise device significantly faster and more efficient.

Alternatively, in the event parsing step1102does not result in identification and retrieval of metadata corresponding to the required data object(s) from the metadata image, step1106comprises generating and transmitting to the on-premise device, a second type of data object retrieval request message.

The second type of data object retrieval request message (requesting retrieval of the identified data objects from the on-premise device) will not include any data object attributes that describe the storage and/or location of the data object(s) within an on-premise device. In such case the on-premise device will search for and retrieve the requested data objects in a conventional manner.

The on-premise device thereafter receives the data object retrieval request message and locates and transmits the requested data object(s) back to the remote server.

While the above methods describe retrieval of data object(s) required by a remote application iteration from an on-premise device, it would be understood that in the event that a remote server has multiple remote application iterations (and multiple corresponding application environment instances) running, a data object required by a first application iteration may optionally be retrieved from an application environment instance corresponding to a second application iteration of the same client application software that is being maintained at the remote server. In such embodiments, retrieving data object(s) from a locally stored instance of an application environment instance maintained by the remote server is likely to result in further data object search and retrieval efficiencies.

FIG. 12illustrates an exemplary remote server1200configured to implement the methods of the present invention.

Remote server1200may comprise any processor based server system configured for data processing operations and network based communication. In specific embodiments, remote server1200may comprise one or more servers. Remote server1200may include (i) an operator interface1202configured to enable an operator to configure or control the remote server1200, (ii) processor1204configured for data processing operations within remote server1200, (iii) transceiver1206configured for enabling network communication to and from remote server1200, and (iv) memory1208, which memory1208may include transitory memory and/or non-transitory memory.

In an exemplary embodiment, memory1208may have stored therewithin, (i) an operating system1210configured for managing device hardware and software resources and that provides common services for software programs implemented within remote server1200, (ii) a processor implemented application iteration controller for generating and controlling the execution of one or more remote application iterations being executed at remote server1200in accordance with the methods discussed above, (iii) a processor implemented application environment instance controller1214configured for generating and controlling storage, retrieval and modification of application environment instances stored at remote server1200and that are associated with each remote application iteration that is being executed or stored at remote server1200, (iv) a processor implemented iteration stack controller configured to enable multiple remote application iterations of a client software application to be simultaneously run and stored at remote server1200, (v) a processor implemented intra-stack communication controller1218that is configured to enable messaging and data object retrieval between the multiple application environment instances corresponding to multiple remote application iterations for a single client application software that are simultaneously being maintained at remote server1200, (vi) a processor implemented metadata image parser1220configured to parse metadata images stored at remote server1200(for example in accordance with the methods ofFIG. 10 or 11described above), (vii) a processor implemented messaging switch controller1222configured for switching between generation of first and second types of data object retrieval messages (in accordance with the methods discussed above in connection withFIG. 11), (viii) a processor implemented on-premise device communication controller1224configured to enable remote server1200to communicate with and retrieve data objects from on-premise device(s) (for example in accordance with the method ofFIG. 4), (ix) a processor implemented metadata image generator1226configured to generate or modify metadata images in accordance with the methods ofFIGS. 8 and 9, and (x) a processor implemented database interface1228configured to enable processor1204to interface with, and retrieve data objects or metadata from stored application environment instances corresponding to the one or more remote application iterations being implemented or executed at remote server1200.

It will be understood that remote server1200may be configured to implement one or more of the methods steps and process flows discussed above in connection withFIGS. 4 to 11.

FIG. 13illustrates an exemplary computer system according to which various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.

System1300includes computer system1302which in turn comprises one or more processors1304and at least one memory1306. Processor1304is configured to execute program instructions—and may be a real processor or a virtual processor. It will be understood that computer system1302does not suggest any limitation as to scope of use or functionality of described embodiments. The computer system1302may include, but is not limited to, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor, a micro-controller, an integrated circuit, and other devices or arrangements of devices that are capable of implementing the steps that constitute the method of the present invention. Exemplary embodiments of a computer system1302in accordance with the present invention may include one or more servers, desktops, laptops, tablets, smart phones, mobile phones, mobile communication devices, phablets and personal digital assistants. In an embodiment of the present invention, the memory1306may store software for implementing various embodiments of the present invention. The computer system1302may have additional components. For example, the computer system1302may include one or more communication channels1308, one or more input devices1310, one or more output devices1312, and storage1314. An interconnection mechanism (not shown) such as a bus, controller, or network, interconnects the components of the computer system1302. In various embodiments of the present invention, operating system software (not shown) provides an operating environment for various softwares executing in the computer system1302using a processor1304, and manages different functionalities of the components of the computer system1302.

The communication channel(s)1308allow communication over a communication medium to various other computing entities. The communication medium provides information such as program instructions, or other data in a communication media. The communication media includes, but is not limited to, wired or wireless methodologies implemented with an electrical, optical, RF, infrared, acoustic, microwave, Bluetooth or other transmission media.

The input device(s)1310may include, but is not limited to, a touch screen, a keyboard, mouse, pen, joystick, trackball, a voice device, a scanning device, or any another device that is capable of providing input to the computer system1302. In an embodiment of the present invention, the input device(s)1310may be a sound card or similar device that accepts audio input in analog or digital form. The output device(s)1312may include, but not be limited to, a user interface on CRT, LCD, LED display, or any other display associated with any of servers, desktops, laptops, tablets, smart phones, mobile phones, mobile communication devices, phablets and personal digital assistants, printer, speaker, CD/DVD writer, or any other device that provides output from the computer system1302.

The storage1314may include, but not be limited to, magnetic disks, magnetic tapes, CD-ROMs, CD-RWs, DVDs, any types of computer memory, magnetic stripes, smart cards, printed barcodes or any other transitory or non-transitory medium which can be used to store information and can be accessed by the computer system1302. In various embodiments of the present invention, the storage1314may contain program instructions for implementing any of the described embodiments.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the computer system1302is part of a distributed network or a part of a set of available cloud resources.

The present invention may be implemented in numerous ways including as a system, a method, or a computer program product such as a computer readable storage medium or a computer network wherein programming instructions are communicated from a remote location.

The present invention may suitably be embodied as a computer program product for use with the computer system1302. The method described herein is typically implemented as a computer program product, comprising a set of program instructions that is executed by the computer system1302or any other similar device. The set of program instructions may be a series of computer readable codes stored on a tangible medium, such as a computer readable storage medium (storage1314), for example, diskette, CD-ROM, ROM, flash drives or hard disk, or transmittable to the computer system1302, via a modem or other interface device, over either a tangible medium, including but not limited to optical or analogue communications channel(s)1308. The implementation of the invention as a computer program product may be in an intangible form using wireless techniques, including but not limited to microwave, infrared, Bluetooth or other transmission techniques. These instructions can be preloaded into a system or recorded on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, or made available for downloading over a network such as the Internet or a mobile telephone network. The series of computer readable instructions may embody all or part of the functionality previously described herein.

Based on the above, it would be apparent that the present invention offers multiple and significant advantages.

A principle advantage over the existing state of the art is that the invention enables dynamic or need based retrieval of data object(s) from on-premise devices, thereby reducing the time and network latency involved in provisioning an application environment that is necessary for execution of a remote application iteration, at a remote server.

The invention also enables users to run multiple remote iterations of the client application software within a remote server platform. In this aspect as well, the ability to implement dynamic or need based retrieval of data object(s) reduces the exponential increase in the data and network latency overheads that are typically observed in prior art systems that seek to enable multiple simultaneous cloud based iterations of a client software application. Further, by generating and maintaining an independent and distinct application environment instance corresponding to each remote application iteration of the same client application software that is being executed at the remote server, the invention ensures modularity and security of data corresponding to each remote application iteration.

Yet further, by relying on metadata previously obtained from an on-premise device to modulate the parameters of data object retrieval messages sent to an on-premise device from a remote server, the invention is able to significantly reduce the data and time overheads in the look-up and retrieval process, and has been found to make the overall process of data object retrieval from on-premise devices significantly faster and more efficient.

While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that they are merely illustrative. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications in form and detail may be made therein without departing from or offending the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Additionally, the invention illustratively disclose herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein—and in a particular embodiment that is specifically contemplated, the invention is intended to be practiced in the absence of any one or more element which are not specifically disclosed herein.