Abstract: A method of effectuating control actions in a computer network including a server running a Distribution Manager program, a database and a hierarchy of repeaters and endpoints. A selected control action is initiated and a distribution identifier passed to the Distribution Manager identifying a data distribution to be controlled. The Distribution Manager retrieves information from the database identifying a route through the hierarchy of repeaters and endpoints for the data distribution. The Distribution Manager also creates a control message identifying the selected control action and passes the message through the hierarchy of repeaters and endpoints via the identified route.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically generating a log, or journal, during the deployment of software packages to client systems on a network are implemented. The logs may be used to verify the deployment and facilitate selectively deployment of components not successfully deployed. The mechanism rests on an object-oriented architecture that provides a multiplicity of actions that effects software management operations on the target system. The actions are implemented as methods within the object oriented architecture. In this way, each software element, for example, registry entries, files, directories, etc., which may be implicated in a software deployment are treated on an equal footing. The mechanism automatically generates a log file based on the actions contained within the particular deployment package.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically generating the software program for returning a client system to its initial state following a software installation is implemented. The mechanism rests on an object-oriented architecture that provides a multiplicity of actions that effect software management operations on the target system. The actions are implemented as methods within the object-oriented architecture. In this way, each software element, for example registry entries files, directories, etc., which may be implicated in a software deployment, are treated on an equal footing. The mechanism builds a program which, when executed, restores the target client to its unmodified state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are implemented which allow applications to automatically resume from the last checkpoint on the receiver when a distribution interruption has occurred due, for example, to a network failure, machine reboot or power failure. For each repeater and endpoint the amount of data that must be received between two checkpoints may be preselected. Receivers flush the file buffers to nonvolatile storage when a checkpoint corresponding to an end of a data segment being transferred is reached. If a transmission is interrupted, the transfer is resumed from a beginning of the data segment being sent when the interruption occurred.