Patent ID: 7363429

Claim:
A system for caching directory data in a networked computer environment comprising: means adapted for accessing, via a web-based interface, an LDAP directory associated with a networked document processing device, which access is completed through an associated data network, and wherein the LDAP directory includes means adapted for storing a plurality of directory entries, each entry having a plurality of data fields corresponding thereto; means adapted for generating, on the web-based interface, a prompt to an associated user for cache property data associated with the LDAP directory, which cache property data includes duration data representative of a selected, periodic cache renewal period, parameter data representative of user-specified parameters corresponding to selected data fields of each of a plurality of directory entries for which fields caching is desired, and server data representative of an identity of an associated server from which cached data is to be obtained via the data network; means adapted for receiving cache property data via the web-based interface in accordance with a generated prompt; and means adapted for communicating received cache property data to the networked document processing device via the data network; and wherein the networked document processing device includes, a timer data storage, which timer data storage includes means adapted for storing received duration data; means adapted for receiving temporal data representative of elapsed time; testing means adapted for testing the temporal data against the timer data, the testing means including means adapted for outputting a cache renewal signal in accordance with an outcome of the testing; a directory cache; a cache refresh means adapted for periodically updating the LDAP directory by retrieving selected directory data via the data network from a directory disposed on the associated server in accordance with parameter data and server data into the directory cache; and means adapted for enabling the cache refresh means in accordance with the duration data.