JPH11272471A - Software distribution system and recording medium stored with program used for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remotely and efficiently update software to a plurality of computers connected by a network by permitting a transmission side computer to distribute software which is version-upped only to a reception-side computer whose version is old. SOLUTION: A transmission side computer 1 generates a distribution destination information table from version information of softwares 16 and 17 which are previously installed in reception computers 2 and 4 and from the version of software which is newly distributed. When a transmission source manager inputs the execution indication of distribution, the transmission side computer 1 compares the latest version registered in a distribution destination information table and the version of software which is previously set up in respective machines (reception computers 2 and 4) and the machine of the old version is set to be the distribution destination of software. Then, software for opposite machine is generated and software is distributed to the opposite machine which is to be version-upped.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technology for distributing software to a plurality of computers connected by a network and remotely installing the software.
The present invention relates to a software distribution system suitable for efficiently updating software stored in each computer and a recording medium on which a program used for the software distribution system is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 4-280342, 5-274123 and 5-274123 disclose technologies relating to remote installation of software such as application programs on a plurality of computers connected by a network. 6-51992, JP-A-7-129407, JP-A-8-123
Various techniques are disclosed, such as JP-A-6733 and JP-A-9-223022.

For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-280342, only necessary files are downloaded to a plurality of workstations from a master file stored in a file server connected via a LAN (Local Area Network). The technology to do this is described. That is,
Each workstation requests catalog information of the master file from the file server, and requests only the updated file to be downloaded to the file server.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-274123 describes a software tool installation technique that allows an operator to perform version control without error without going to an installation location of a local device for installation work. I have. Here, when there is a download request from each local device to the center device, it is determined whether or not the requested software tool can be used on the local device by referring to the ledger. Check the version number and if it is not the latest or the appropriate version on the local device,
Or they automatically send the right version of software tools.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-51992 describes a technique for distributing only the latest update program to workstations, thereby eliminating waste of program resource distribution and improving computer resource utilization efficiency. Have been. That is, when each workstation requests the host computer to provide a program, the host computer distributes the latest version of the program.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-129407, an update process in which a latest version of a program is transferred from a server to a client terminal and stored in a program database is performed, thereby reducing the number of man-hours and costs for version upgrade. Techniques for reducing emissions are described. That is, based on the version information from the server,
The client terminal controls the transfer of the latest version of the program from the server to the client terminal based on the result of comparing the stored version information with the stored version information to determine whether the program needs to be updated.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-225724, target software update instruction information for matching the updated software configuration is created, and the installation source and the installation destination are synchronized, so that an appropriate installation is performed. Techniques to perform are described. Where
As a method of specifying the distribution of application software, a request is issued from the user computer to the provider computer,
The application software to be actually distributed is distributed from the provider's computer to the user's computer.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-123673 discloses a technique capable of making the same version of a program adopted in each of a plurality of terminals connected to a network. Here, even when the version of the program instructed to be transmitted by the software management device is not the latest version, the software development server transmits the stored latest version of the file.

[0009] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-22022 discloses a technique for downloading an optimal version of a management program that guarantees operation in response to a request from a management execution program to a managed device.
That is, in response to a management information acquisition request from the management device, the managed device checks whether there is a corresponding program, and if not, responds to the management device if there is no such program. It is determined whether or not it is the latest version, and if it is not the latest version, it is downloaded from the program providing device.

In each of the above-mentioned prior arts, a request is issued from a user computer as a software distribution destination to a computer of a provider, and based on the request, the software to be actually distributed is distributed from the computer on the providing side to the user computer. It is carried out. Therefore, it cannot be applied to a case where the version of software used in each user computer is periodically updated from the providing computer.

[0011] When such software version upgrade is performed periodically, an administrator who distributes the software selects a plurality of destination machines (user computers) and distributes the same via a network. There is a problem that repetition occurs, it is troublesome, and there is a high possibility that an erroneous operation such as a selection omission at the time of selecting a machine will occur.

When installing an application that requires customization for each machine connected to the network, that is, when installing an application program for creating a document, a certain machine requires a FAX template file. When distributing one document creation application program after customizing it for each customer's machine, for example, because another machine needs a minutes template file, these applications must be managed separately. There must be. Therefore, there is a problem that the management content becomes complicated and a large capacity of a storage medium is required. Such a problem is not considered in each of the above-described prior arts.

[0013]

The problem to be solved in the prior art is that in a system for distributing software used in each receiving computer from a transmitting computer to a plurality of receiving computers via a network. There is no point that the software used in each receiving computer cannot be upgraded periodically from the transmitting computer, and no consideration has been given to efficient distribution of partially different software for each receiving computer. Is a point. The purpose of the present invention is
By solving these problems of the prior art, it is possible to provide a software distribution system capable of efficiently performing remote update of software stored in a plurality of computers connected by a network and a recording medium recording a program used therein. is there.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, a software distribution system according to the present invention provides a software distribution system which distributes software used in each receiving computer from a transmitting computer to a plurality of receiving computers via a network. The version information of each distributed software is stored in the transmitting computer for each receiving computer. And the sending computer
When distributing the newly upgraded software to the receiving computer, the software version distributed to each receiving computer is compared with the new version, and only the receiving computer with the older version is updated. Distribute the upgraded software to. Also, for software having different parts for each receiving computer, a common part serving as a template and a difference part for each receiving computer are separately managed, and when performing distribution, the common part and the difference part For each receiving computer,
Software for each receiving computer is created and distributed to each receiving computer, and thereafter, version information for each receiving computer is updated.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the configuration according to the present invention of the software distribution system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a transmitting computer, 2 to 4 are receiving computers (in FIG.
CA, PC-B, and PC-C), 5 is a communication line (LAN) connecting the transmitting computer 1 and the receiving computers 2 to 4, and 6 is a software distribution procedure according to the present invention. Optical disk on which the program was recorded (in the figure,
An optical disk drive (referred to as "OD drive" in the figure) 7 reads a software remote distribution procedure program from the optical disk 6 and sends it to the transmitting computer. Reference numeral 8 denotes a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or the like. Input / output devices including a keyboard and the like, and 9 to 12 are hard disk devices (described as “HDD” in the figure).

The transmitting computer 1 has a CPU (Centra
l Processing Unit) and a main memory are provided, and various processes are performed by a storage program method. For example, based on a program sent from the optical disk 6 via the optical disk drive 7, the storage processing unit 1b, the information registration processing unit 1c, the determination unit 1d, the identification unit 1e, and the extraction unit 1
f, a distribution processing unit 1 including a generation unit 1g and a distribution unit 1h
a, and performs software distribution according to the present invention.

That is, the distribution processing unit 1a uses the storage processing unit 1b to convert the software to be distributed to a common module portion 13 (described as “AP” in the figure) common to each of the receiving side computers 2 to 4. And stored in the hard disk drive 9 separately from the difference module portions 14 and 15 (described as “A” and “C” in the figure). Also, as shown in FIG. 3 below, the information registration processing unit 1c identifies the identification information and update information of the software distributed to each of the receiving side computers 2 to 4 and the difference module part 1
4 and 15 are registered in the hard disk device 9 or the like.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of registration information by the information registration processing section in FIG. In FIG. 3, 31
Is a distribution destination information table for registering distribution destination information of software, and 32 is a difference information table for registering identification information of a difference module portion. Delivery destination information table 3
In 1, the update status and distribution status of the software are indicated as [contents of the application].
As [Machine 1] and [Machine 2], the installation status of the software in each receiving computer is shown.

That is, in [contents of application], identification information (“application name (= AP)”) of software to be distributed to each receiving computer,
The latest update information of the software (“latest version number (= 002)”) and the number of distribution destinations of the software (“the number of registered machines (= 2)”) are registered.

In [machine 1], the identification information of the receiving computer (“machine name (= receiving PC−
A))), the update information of the installed software (“version number (= 001)”), the identification information of the difference module portion of the installed software (“difference information (= difference information A)”) Similarly,
In [Machine 2], the identification information of the receiving computer (“machine name (= PC-C for reception)”), the update information of the installed software (“version number (= 001)”), Identification information of the difference module part of the software ("Difference information (=
Difference information C))) is registered.

In the difference information table 32,
For each identification information of each difference module part (difference information A, C)
"File name (A1-File.ini / A2-Fi
le. doc / C-File. doc) ”and“ application name (AP1) ”are registered in association with each other.
Based on the difference information table 32, a file name corresponding to the identification information of each difference module part can be searched.

Here, each file (A1-File.i)
ni / A2-File. doc / C-File. do
c) is a file that can be customized according to each receiving computer (machine). For example, when the software is document creation software, “A1-Fi”
le. The file “ini” is a setting file defined for each user, and the file “A2-File.doc” is, for example, a template file of minutes. As described above, a file that can be customized when one document creation software program is customized according to the machine of each user and then distributed is referred to as a difference module part in the present embodiment.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description of the distribution processing unit 1a will be continued. The distribution processing unit 1a, when the determination unit 1d distributes the software stored in the hard disk device 9 to the receiving computers 2 to 4 by the storage processing unit 1b, based on the identification information of the distribution target software, the information registration processing unit 1c, that is, the distribution policy information table 31 and the difference information table 32 shown in FIG. 3 are searched, and the update information (version number) of the distribution target software in each of the receiving computers 2 to 4 and the difference module part The identification information (difference information) is determined.

Then, based on the determination result of the update information by the determination unit 1d, the specifying unit 1e specifies the receiving side computers 2 and 4 whose update information is old as a new software distribution destination. Each of the difference module parts 14 and 15 corresponding to the identification information (difference information A and C) of the difference module part determined by the determination unit 1d in the receiving computers 2 and 4 specified by the specification unit 1e is stored in a hard disk by the storage processing unit 1b. The information is extracted from the information stored in the device 9.

Further, the generation unit 1g includes a storage processing unit 1b
Reads the common module portion 13 stored in the hard disk device 9 and combines the read common module portion 13 with each of the difference module portions 14 and 15 extracted by the extraction section 1f to generate software for each difference module. Then, the distribution unit 1h transfers the software for each difference module generated by the generation unit 1g,
Each "machine 1, 2" (reception-side computers 2 to 4) associated with the identification information of the difference module portions 14, 15
Deliver to.

As a result, the hard disk device 10 of the receiving computer 2 has software 16 (a common module 13 and a difference module 14)
"AP-A") and the receiving computer 4
Of the common module part 1
3 consisting of 3 and difference module 15
(Described as “AP-C” in the figure).

Hereinafter, such a transmitting computer 1 will be described.
The software distribution operation processing to each of the receiving computers 2 to 4 for version upgrade by the remote distribution processing 1a constituted by the program read from the optical disk 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation according to the present invention of the software distribution system in FIG. This example shows a case where the software of the receiving computer 2 and the software of the receiving computer 4 are upgraded from the transmitting computer 1 of FIG.
The operation of the transmission side computer 1 itself (“transmission side PC
Internal processing ”) and the operation of the transmission source administrator who is the operator of the transmission-side computer 1.

First, in the transmitting computer 1, the software 16 ("AP-A"), 17 ("AP-C") already installed in each of the receiving computers 2 and 4 are used.
Then, a distribution destination information table 31 shown in FIG. 3 is created from the version information and the version of software to be newly distributed (the common module portion 13 is “AP”) (step 101).

The transmission source administrator who operates the transmission side computer 1 receives software upgrade information (“00
2)) (the common module portion 13 “AP”) is stored in the hard disk drive 9 (step 102), and the transmission side computer 1 stores the version number of the upgraded software in the item of the latest version number in the distribution destination information table 31. Is written (step 103).

Further, the transmission source administrator customizes the upgraded software, and a difference module portion 14 (“A”) to the receiving computer 2 and a difference module portion 15 (“C”) to the receiving computer 4.
(Step 104), the sending computer 1 writes the file name of each machine (identification information of the difference module portion) in the item of difference information in the distribution destination information table 31, and shares the upgraded software in common. Module part 13 and difference module parts 14, 1
5, and stored in the hard disk drive 9 (step 105).

When the transmission source administrator inputs a distribution execution instruction (step 106), the transmission side computer 1
Compares the latest version (“002”) registered in the distribution destination information table 31 with the version (“001”) of software set up on each machine (reception computers 2 and 4), and If there is, the machine is set as the software distribution destination, and the partner machine to be upgraded is determined (step 10).
7).

In correspondence with the partner machine specified in this way, the common module part 13 ("AP") and the difference module parts 14 ("A") and 15 ("C") for each machine.
And software for the partner machine is created (step 109) and distributed to the partner machine to be upgraded (step 110).

Then, the distribution destination information table 31 is updated based on the distributed software and the distribution destination (step 111). While there is a partner machine to be upgraded (step 108), steps 109 to 111
Is repeated, and when there is no other machine to be upgraded, the transmission source manager is notified of the end of the distribution process (step 112).

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, in the software distribution system of the present embodiment, when the software version is upgraded to all the past distribution destination computers, the software is downloaded. Since destinations to be distributed can be automatically listed and distributed only to specific destinations, it is possible to efficiently manage application programs and the like that are periodically upgraded.

Further, when remotely installing software upgrades, the transmitting computer holds the software to be distributed in a common part and a machine-specific part, and distributes the combined software for each machine. The configuration of the system is simplified, and waste in the capacity of the held medium is reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in this example, a distribution configuration to three receiving computers 2 to 4 connected by a LAN is shown, but a WAN (Wide Are
a Network) may be used to connect dozens of computers. Further, in this example, the version number (“001”, “002”) is used as the update information, but the update date and time may be used, and the version management of the program and the data can be performed.

[0038]

According to the present invention, a plurality of receiving computers are transmitted from a transmitting computer to a plurality of receiving computers via a network.
In a system for distributing software used in each of the receiving computers, it is possible to appropriately cope with a case where the software used in each of the receiving computers is periodically upgraded from the transmitting computer. Different software can be efficiently distributed, and software stored in a plurality of computers connected by a network can be efficiently upgraded remotely.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a configuration according to the present invention of a software distribution system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation according to the present invention of the software distribution system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of registration information by an information registration processing unit in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

1: transmitting computer, 1a: distribution processing unit, 1b: storage processing unit, 1c: information registration processing unit, 1d: discrimination unit, 1
e: identification unit, 1f: extraction unit, 1g: generation unit, 1h: distribution unit, 2: receiving computer ("PC-A"), 3: receiving computer ("PC-B"), 4: receiving Computer ("PC-C"), 5: Communication line ("LA
N "), 6: optical disk (" OD "), 7: optical disk drive (" OD drive "), 8: input / output device, 9-
12: Hard disk drive (“HDD”), 13: Common module part (“AP”), 14: Difference module part (“A”), 15: Difference module part (“C”),
16: software (“AP-A”), 17: software (“AP-C”), 31: distribution destination information table, 3
2: Difference information table.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A system for distributing software used by each receiving computer to a plurality of receiving computers connected via a network, wherein identification information and update of software distributed to the plurality of receiving computers are provided. Information registering means for registering information, and discriminating means for searching the information registering means based on identification information of software to be distributed to the plurality of receiving side computers and determining the update information in each receiving side computer of software to be distributed Based on the determination result of the update information by the determination means, a distribution destination specifying means for specifying the receiving computer having the oldest update information as a distribution destination, and transmitting the distribution information to the receiving computer specified by the distribution destination specifying means. Software having distribution means for distributing target software Delivery system. 2. A system for distributing software used by each receiving computer to a plurality of receiving computers connected via a network, wherein a distribution target software is shared by each of the plurality of receiving computers. Storage means for separately storing a module part and a different difference module part, and registering identification information and update information of software distributed to the plurality of receiving computers and identification information (difference identification information) of the difference module part Information registering means for performing the search for the information registering means based on the identification information of the distribution target software, and determining means for determining the update information and the difference identification information in each receiving computer of the distribution target software; Based on the determination result of the update information by the determination means, The distribution information specifying means for specifying the receiving computer whose update information is old as the distribution destination, and the difference module portion corresponding to the difference identification information determined by the determining means in the receiving computer specified by the distribution destination specifying means Extracting means for extracting from the storing means;
Reading the common module portion from the storage means,
Generating means for generating software for each differential module by combining the read common module part and the differential module part extracted by the extracting means; and software for each differential module generated by the generating means as the differential identification information. A software distribution system for distributing the data to the corresponding receiving computer. 3. A recording medium on which a computer-readable program used in a system for distributing software used by each receiving computer from a transmitting computer to a plurality of receiving computers via a network is recorded. A first procedure for registering identification information and update information of software distributed to the plurality of receiving computers in the computer; and a first procedure based on the identification information of software distributed to the plurality of receiving computers. A second procedure for searching for the registered content of the software to be distributed and determining the update information in each receiving computer of the software to be distributed, and based on the determination result of the update information in the second procedure, the update information is outdated. A third procedure for specifying the receiving computer as the distribution destination; A program for causing the receiving computer to execute the fourth procedure for distributing the software to be distributed. 4. A recording medium on which a computer readable program used in a system for distributing software used by each receiving computer from a transmitting computer to a plurality of receiving computers via a network is recorded. A first procedure for storing, in a computer, distribution target software separately into a common module portion common to each of the plurality of receiving computers and a difference module portion different from each other, and software already distributed to the plurality of receiving computers. A second procedure for registering the identification information and update information of the second module and the identification information (difference identification information) of the difference module, and searching for the registered contents in the second procedure based on the identification information of the distribution target software. , Each receiving computer of the above software to be distributed A third procedure for discriminating the update information and the difference identification information, and a fourth procedure for specifying a receiving computer having the oldest update information as a distribution destination based on a result of the discrimination of the update information in the third procedure. Steps and
A fifth procedure for extracting the difference module portion corresponding to the difference identification information determined in the third procedure in the receiving computer specified in the fourth procedure from the stored difference module portion in the first procedure; A sixth module which reads out the common module part from the stored ones in the first procedure and combines the read common module part with the difference module part extracted in the fifth procedure to generate software for each difference module. Recording a program for executing a procedure and a seventh procedure for distributing software for each difference module generated in the sixth procedure to the receiving computer corresponding to the difference identification information. Recording medium.