US 6098098

Patent Overview — US 6,098,098

Title: System for managing the configuration of multiple computer devices

Patent number / application: US 6,098,098 A; application US 08/970,831

Inventors: Joel E. Sandahl and Lyle D. Baker

Original assignee: Enhanced Messaging Systems, Inc. (later listed assignees include Rayograph Limited, L.L.C.; Intellectual Ventures NetCon LLC; BlueCat Networks (USA), Inc.; and Hanger Solutions, LLC — as listed in the source, without analysis)

Key dates: Priority and filing 1997-11-14; granted and published 2000-08-01; anticipated expiration 2017-11-14; status "Expired – Lifetime"

Purpose: The invention relates to a system (method and apparatus) for managing the configuration of multiple computers that are connectable via a network to a network file server holding configuration information for each computer. It is described as useful for centrally managing a network system of computers that may be geographically remote from one another, such as in paging and other wireless messaging systems. The stated problem is difficulty maintaining each device's configuration so their inter-operation yields desired network-system operation, particularly where devices are locally configured at start-up or boot (e.g., autoexec.bat and config.sys under MS-DOS) and later altered locally without central detection or correction.

Plain-language scope (as described): Each computer device stores local configuration information and, on start-up, may download a program file from a network file server (described as BOOTP-TFTP). The system provides a network file server storing master configuration information for each computer device and provides for central control and revision of device configurations. A stated object is that each computer device compares data characterizing its master configuration information on the file server with data characterizing its local configuration information to determine whether they differ, rather than comparing the contents of the master and local configuration information. Further objects are described for detecting and correcting locally altered configurations so they are not left until device operation is adversely affected.

What the excerpt does not establish: It is only an excerpt. It does not provide the full claims, complete description, drawings, or any independent claim language. It therefore does not establish the precise claimed scope, claim limitations, or the full technical implementation. It also omits the remainder of the stated objects (the text cuts off mid-sentence).

Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US6098098/en