Abstract: The present invention provides a method for distributing system files and system registry changes dynamically. An “application package” consisting of system files and registry changes is added to a user. When the user logs on, the detection of a “package” is made if the package is not already installed on the client machine, a batch file is used to copy the files and make the registry changes to the local machine. A “key” is then set on the machine indicating that the files/registry entries are installed.

Abstract: A method and system for managing Windows desktops in a heterogeneous server environment is provided. A Windows User Profile is generated for a user and associatively stored with desktop information in a datastore on a heterogeneous server. The heterogeneous server may be a non-Windows-based server. The desktop information provides configurability of a desktop of a Windows-based data processing system. The desktop may be a restricted desktop that may be either non-modifiable or only temporarily modifiable by the user for a session on the Windows-based data processing system. The datastore may contain a pair of desktops for a user, in which one of the pair of desktops is a Windows NT desktop and one of the pair of desktops is a Windows 95 desktop or a Windows 98 desktop.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively synchronizing data in an object oriented distributed transaction processing system employing a multilevel data store. Each object that maintains first-level volatile data registers as a synchronization object if unsynchronized changes to that data exist. A register object at each node tracks synchronized objects registered for that node. Each registered synchronization object, in turn, registers with its superior node when registered synchronization objects are present. A hierarchy of registered synchronization objects and synchronization objects is thereby created. The transaction termination process transmits a pre-prepare message to the registered synchronization hierarchy providing each synchronization object an opportunity to flush its data to the second-level persistent data store. The hierarchical structure of registered objects ensures that the minimum number of messages are transmitted over the network.

Abstract: A method and system for user-specific management of applications in a heterogeneous server environment is provided. A user may be assigned access to an application, and a user-application definition linking the selected user and the selected application is associatively stored with applications files for the selected application in a datastore on a heterogeneous server. The user-application definition may provide manageability of an application for a user of a Windows-based data processing system from a non-Windows-based server. The user-application definition may also be associatively stored with an application package that comprises user files, system files, user registries, or system registries that are used to configure a client for executing the application. The client may be configured by serving a Windows-based application specified by the user-application definition in the datastore from a non-Windows-based server to a Windows-based client.

Abstract: A method for creating and maintaining user home directories and providing for user access across a heterogeneous network of managed servers based on the user account information of the central server. Upon determination that the function of home directories is supported, the target server name is determined and the type of server is extracted from the target server. Based on the server type, appropriate commands are issued to create the necessary directories on the target server. After establishment of the directories, access rights are established to enable the directory to be shared and available to the user through client systems in the network. Connections to the home directory are then made when a request is initiated by the user.

Abstract: A method of discovering native or non-native authentication server domains and managing information about such domains in a computer network. The various domains are “discovered” by issuing requests from the client to one or more of the servers in the network. Each response is then characterized as being from a native or non-native server, and a list of each such server type is then compiled at the client. The administrator may modify the list, for example, by adding or removing server domains, or may apply a discovery “policy” to tailor the way in which a user may access and interact with the discovered information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for managing registries. A user is detected at a client data processing system, wherein a change has occurred in access for the user. A registry file is sent containing user specific information for the user to the client data processing system. A registry on the client data processing system is updated using the registry file using commands specific to the platform, wherein an updated registry is created including the user specific information. The updated registry is sent to a depository.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently employing procedural transaction managers from an object oriented transaction processing system. Implementation classes are introduced to bridge selected functions from an object oriented transaction processing system into a procedural system. Bridging allows both the reuse of existing procedural transaction managers and interoperation between procedural and object transactions systems which eases migration to new object oriented systems. Implementation classes include methods necessary to manage information necessary to use a procedural transaction API and to manage information returned by the procedural API.

Abstract: A method for managing user group information in a distributed system comprising a heterogeneous server network. The method enables the establishment of a specified set of user groups on a managed server that are not controlled by a central server. A mechanism is provided to identify the user groups on the managed server, store the groups in a persistent location, and access the user groups during synchronization processing. Synchronization of the persistent user groups at the managed server is done only upon consultation with the persistent account store. The result is a set of user groups on the managed server that can be used to maintain special access and privileges to the persistent user group at the managed server.

Abstract: A method for establishing user group accounts in a heterogeneous central server. User groups are established on one type of server that is the central server in the server network which is used to create a corresponding user group account on different types of managed servers in the server network. After establishment of the user group, the server where the initial group was established ensures all group updates, such as change in membership or change in group capabilities are replicated across the server domain. Resources that exist on the network of servers can then have access managed through the usage of user groups. Use and access to the network is more consistent across servers due to ease of management through the use of user groups.

Abstract: A method for creating and updating user accounts at a central server that provides for establishment and synchronization of associated user accounts at a heterogeneous network of managed servers based on the user account information of the central server. This enables the network to consist of a heterogeneous set of servers that are executing with the same operating system or subsystem as the central server, and servers that are executing with a different operating system or subsystem as the central server. The updates to the user accounts on the managed servers are synchronized automatically without systems administrator or user intervention. Updates to the user account are based on central server information and can include password changes, initial resource access or other user account attributes.

Abstract: A method of creating a user defined alias for a targeted shared resource in heterogeneous server network. The method begins in response to a request by a systems administrator to create an alias at the central server for a targeted shared resource. A determination of the type of targeted server is made. An appropriate request to create or access a directory or resource is created and defined in a central server. Once created in the central server the alias may be updated or deleted by the user on any managed server within a heterogeneous server domain.

Abstract: A method for enabling target servers in a network server environment to control determination of a full synchronization update on a target server from a central server. Administrative privileges are used to establish a link on the target server to force a request from the target server back to the central server for initialization of a full synchronization on the target server. The request will be such that the central server will determine full synchronization is necessary based on the status of the managed server.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing message traffic during two phase commitment in a distributed transaction processing system. Transactional objects manage transactions in a distributed system. A coordinator object is responsible for ensuring data consistency by enforcing atomic transaction changes. Any change to one or more resources by a transaction is either made at all or none of the resources. Distributed transactions use interposition to create subordinate coordinator for domains other than the primary domain. Each subordinate coordinator controls transaction commitment of all resources within that domain via a single message sequence per coordinator. Dynamic registration of subordinate coordinator resources ensures that the subordinate coordinator is not added to the commit tree of the root coordinator unless it has recoverable resources. Dynamic registration minimizes the size of the commit tree thereby minimizing the number of messages transmitted during commitment processing.

Abstract: A system and method for using the TRAN procedural transaction coordinator, from the Encina product produced by Transarc Corporation, as the core of an OMG-compliant Object Transaction Service. The method allows the object-oriented Object Transaction Service to interoperate with Encina procedural applications. The interoperation involves coordinated processing of both object oriented transactional requests and Encina procedural transactional requests. Both object oriented and procedural requests can be part of a single atomic transaction without requiring gateways between the products. A system of implementation classes are used to transform object-oriented method invocations into the necessary procedural calls. The implementation classes also accept upcalls from the procedural TRAN and transform them into the necessary Object Transaction Service method invocations.

Abstract: A user is authenticated at a client machine running a native operating system. Authentication may be effected from one or more non-native server domains including, without limitation, a Server Message Block (SMB) server domain, a DCE Cell, or some other non-Windows NT server domain. Following successful authentication, a user account is dynamically established or updated at the client by retrieving from the server user information and a set of "group" privileges associated with the authenticated user. A local representation of these privileges is then dynamically created on the client, after which the privileges are linked to the user account to make the user a member of the local representation. In this manner, the group information is saved on the local machine and the authenticated user is afforded appropriate access rights to the client and the server.

Abstract: An object oriented transaction processing system based on the Object Management Group Object Management Architecture provides effective transaction scheduling and servicing through a combination of Object Transaction Services and a Transactional Object Request Broker. The Object Transactional Services manage the information needed to provide reliability in transactions, including a two phase commit process to implement transaction atomicity. The transactional Object Request Broker includes a transaction monitor facility to schedule objects to respond to object transaction requests. The tunable transaction monitor increases the efficiency of transaction processing by optimizing use of computer system resources allocated to servicing transactions. The transaction monitor activates the objects necessary to satisfy a transaction request. Activation includes an ability to start new processes or threads of execution or to reuse existing processes or threads.

Abstract: A method of managing a Windows NT user account at a Windows NT client begins following authentication of a user against a non-native server domain by establishing a Windows NT user account at the client. The Windows NT user account is maintained as work is done at the client by the user. At user logoff, the user account is maintained, disabled or deleted based on policy set on the client by an administrator.

Abstract: A user is authenticated at a client machine running a native operating system. Authentication may be effected from one or more non-native server domains including, without limitation, a Server Message Block (SMB) server domain, a DCE Cell, or some other non-Windows NT server domain. Following successful authentication, a user account is dynamically established or updated at the client by retrieving from the server user information and a set of "group" privileges associated with the authenticated user. A "user profile" is retrieved from the non-native server domain and used to establish at the client a user desktop and any preferences associated with the user.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a user of a Windows NT client normally configured against an account held at a Windows NT server. The method begins in response to a logon request at the client. In particular, the user is provided with an option to select a server domain from a set of one or more native Windows NT server domains and/or non-native server domains for authentication. The list of native and/or non-native server domains is compiled by an administrator (e.g., during installation) or by the user (at logon). In response to user selection of the server domain, a connection is then established between the Windows NT client and the server domain. The user is then authenticated at the server domain. Following successful authentication of the Windows NT client at the server domain, a Windows NT user account is then established and maintained at the client.