Abstract: A method is described for performing system management operations on at least one target endpoint data processing apparatus of a distributed data processing system including a system management server adapted to the centralized system management of the endpoints of the distributed data processing system. The method comprises: at the system management server, receiving a system management activities plan including at least one system management activity to be performed on the at least one target endpoint; having the system management server executing the system management activities plan, wherein the executing the plan includes performing the at least one system management activity.

Abstract: A software distribution method (300) is proposed. The solution of the invention relates to the deployment (from a source host to selected endpoints) of main packages that require one or more prerequisite packages. In this case, the source host builds (304-326) and transmits (330-332) a multi-segment distribution structure that embeds the main package and any prerequisite package that is not available on at least one of the endpoints. Each endpoint receiving the distribution structure only installs (336-360) the prerequisite packages that are not available on the endpoint. The main package can then be installed (362-366) correctly (with the required configuration of the endpoint).

Abstract: A method for facilitating the management of a software distribution process is proposed. The method provides the possibility of performing an introspection of a software package (which is used for installing a corresponding software product) before its application on each endpoint. The introspection evaluates any run-time parameters that condition the execution of the actions specified in the software package; in this way, it is possible to determine a list of the actions that will be actually executed during the application of the software package. This list is displayed on a monitor of the endpoint, so as to allow its user to decide whether the application of the software package should be accepted or not. Alternatively, the list of those actions can be collected on a distribution server (from multiple endpoints), to determine an impact of the distribution process on the whole system before its execution.

Abstract: A software distribution method (300) with security add-on is proposed. Particularly, any software package to be deployed to selected target endpoints is encrypted (312-315) with a symmetric key (generated dynamically). The symmetric key is in turn encrypted (318-321) with a public key of each target endpoint. A multi-segment software package (embedding the encrypted software package and the encrypted symmetric keys) is then deployed (324-336, 360) to all the target endpoints. In this way, each target endpoint can decrypt (343-348) the encrypted symmetric key with a corresponding private key; it is then possible to decrypt (363-366) the encrypted software package with the symmetric key so obtained. As a result, the endpoint is able to apply (369) the decrypted software package. Therefore, the application of the software package can be restricted to the desired target endpoints only.

Abstract: An enhanced navigation system in which present location is compared to a database of points of interest. Data for each point of interest include a reference to a source of dynamic information reflecting the real time status of the point of interest. Such a reference may comprise, for example, an Internet link. Real time status information will vary depending on the nature of the point of interest, and may include information such as whether the point is open or closed, queue lengths, waiting times, etc. The real time status information is retrieved from the source and presented to the user.

Abstract: A method and system provides for notification of a called party of an incoming voice phone call intended for the called party even while the called party is engaged in data communications via a dial-up modem. In response to a calling party placing a call, a telecommunications network determining whether the called number is busy. If the called number is busy, the telecommunications network determines whether the called number is engaged in data communications. If the called number is engaged in data communications, the telecommunications network further: determines a data communication protocol being used by the called party to access the data network via a modem device, retrieves from a user profile of the called party one or more user notification addresses associated with the data communication protocol, and transmits an incoming call notification message to the one or more user notification addresses of the called party.

Abstract: A method is described for performing system management operations on at least one target endpoint data processing apparatus (110a, 110b) of a distributed data processing system (100) including a system management server (120) adapted to the centralized system management of the endpoints of the distributed data processing system. The method comprises: at the system management server, receiving a system management activities plan including at least one system management activity to be performed on the at least one target endpoint; having the system management server executing the system management activities plan, wherein the executing the plan includes performing the at least one system management activity.

Abstract: A method is presented for deploying a component onto a production computer system. The method may include identifying one or more alterations associated with deployment of a first application onto a first computer system, where the first application on the first computer system is substantially similar to a second application on a second computer system. Embodiments may further include generating a command and an object corresponding to the alteration, where the command and the object are generated as a function of the first application. The alteration may then be replicated on the second application of the second computer system by executing the command and the object on the second computer system.

Abstract: A method and system provides for notification of a called party of an incoming voice phone call intended for the called party even while the called party is engaged in data communications via a dial-up modem. In response to a calling party placing a call, a telecommunications network determining whether the called number is busy. If the called number is busy, the telecommunications network determines whether the called number is engaged in data communications. If the called number is engaged in data communications, the telecommunications network further: determines a data communication protocol being used by the called party to access the data network via a modem device, retrieves from a user profile of the called party one or more user notification addresses associated with the data communication protocol, and transmits an incoming call notification message to the one or more user notification addresses of the called party.

Abstract: A solution (300) for distributing software products in trial mode is proposed. This solution is based on the idea of leveraging a software distribution infrastructure. For this purpose, a trial software package (identified by a specific attribute) is provided (306-309) for any software product to be distributed in the trial mode. The trial software package is deployed (318-321) and applied (324-330) as usual to install the software product. An additional service of the software distribution infrastructure monitors (333-339) the reaching of an expiration term of the software product (defined in another attribute of the corresponding trial software package). When this expiration term is reached, the trial software package is applied again (342-345) so as to remove the software product temporarily. If a license for the same software product is bought later on (354), a corresponding activation software package is deployed (354-360) and applied (363).

Abstract: A software distribution method (300) with security add-on is proposed. Particularly, any software package to be deployed to selected target endpoints is encrypted (312-315) with a symmetric key (generated dynamically). The symmetric key is in turn encrypted (318-321) with a public key of each target endpoint. A multi-segment software package (embedding the encrypted software package and the encrypted symmetric keys) is then deployed (324-336, 360) to all the target endpoints. In this way, each target endpoint can decrypt (343-348) the encrypted symmetric key with a corresponding private key; it is then possible to decrypt (363-366) the encrypted software package with the symmetric key so obtained. As a result, the endpoint is able to apply (369) the decrypted software package. Therefore, the application of the software package can be restricted to the desired target endpoints only.

Abstract: A method (300) for facilitating the management of a software distribution process is proposed. For this purpose, the method provides the possibility of performing (333-339) an introspection of a software package (which is used for installing a corresponding software product) before its application on each endpoint. The introspection evaluates (333) any run-time parameters that condition the execution of the actions specified in the software package; in this way, it is possible to determine (336-339) a list of the actions that will be actually executed during the application of the software package. This list is displayed (339) on a monitor of the endpoint, so as to allow its user to decide (345) whether the application of the software package should be accepted or not. Alternatively, the list of those actions can be collected (357-366) on a distribution server (from multiple endpoints), so as to determine (375) an impact of the distribution process on the whole system before its execution.

Abstract: A software distribution method (300) is proposed. The solution of the invention relates to the deployment (from a source host to selected endpoints) of main packages that require one or more prerequisite packages. In this case, the source host builds (304-326) and transmits (330-332) a multi-segment distribution structure that embeds the main package and any prerequisite package that is not available on at least one of the endpoints. Each endpoint receiving the distribution structure only installs (336-360) the prerequisite packages that are not available on the endpoint.