CN1192318C - Computer software system for eliminating operating system multiple logins under remote program load with network provider dynamic link library - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a computer program for configuration of a computer network. In particular, the present invention relates to a local area network of server computers and client computers and modifying the configuration of such a network in a manner that is efficient and reduces unnecessary loss of time. In particular, the present invention relates to a program and method for eliminating multiple logins of an operating system in a remote program using a network provider dynamic link library. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the use of the Windows'95 operating system for use with Windows NT Server, most other operating systems can easily replace Windows'95 and Windows NT Server, respectively.

Description

Method and apparatus for eliminating login screen entry

technical field

The invention relates to a method and a computer program for configuration of a computer network. In particular, the present invention relates to a local area network of server computers and client computers and modifying the configuration of such a network in a manner that is efficient and reduces unnecessary time loss.

Background technique

In particular, the present invention relates to a program and method for eliminating multiple registrations of an operating system in remote program loading using a network provider dynamic link library. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the application of the Windows'95 ^(TM) operating system used with Windows NT ^(TM) Server (server), most other operating systems can easily replace Windows'95 and Windows NT Server (Windows '95 and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation).

Computers and their applications are used in all aspects of business, industry and academic research. In recent years, a technological revolution has been brought about by the intersection of the data processing industry and the home appliance industry. In recent years, this progress has even been accelerated by mass consumer and business-related things on the Internet. As a result of this transformation, it appears that virtually every aspect of human activity in the industrialized world requires the interaction of humans and computers. The computer industry has been a driving force that has generated enormous increases in commercial and industrial productivity. Almost every week brings advances in the computer industry that allow for further increases in productivity. In addition to increasing productivity, these advances have lowered business and industrial costs and increased efficiency. Also, as a result of remarkable advances in computer-related technology, consumption of "computer power" continues to decline.

Despite these advantages, there remains considerable resistance to new computer systems and major system upgrades that contribute significantly to productivity improvements in all industrial and commercial fields. This resistance arises from past experience that the installation of new computer systems or major system upgrades to existing systems equates to substantial downtime during which businesses, manufacturing plants, or workers are not functioning or are operating at reduced work on a horizontal level. When a commercial or manufacturing plant is trying to decide whether to install a new or substantially upgraded computer system, the stakes in terms of downtime, possible loss of business, and worker stress always outweigh the cost of the installation among the factors influencing the decision .

The stakes in business and production delays caused by installations have become so severe that fewer and fewer small businesses are still attempting to do system and process modifications themselves. Over the past decade, the professional computer services industry that completes and supports installations and upgrades for the commercial and industrial sectors has expanded rapidly. However, even with professional support for such computers, the cost of such professional services due to installation delays coupled with the threat of such downtime reduces public concern.

Contents of the invention

Therefore, for small businesses using Internet connections and applications, any method or process that reduces complexity, time loss, and increases efficiency is highly desirable. Such is the case with the present invention. However, before going into the details of the present invention, in order to provide a clear understanding of the present invention, it is very beneficial to define some generally accepted technical terms of the industry.

According to the invention, in a computer network environment with at least one server and at least one client, the server executes an operating system with a login screen entry after logging into the network, a method for eliminating the login screen entry, The method adopts a remote program loading and a network provider dynamic link library, and the method comprises the steps of:

Logging into a network session and triggering the addition of a new user to the network;

Employs a DOS network login dialog and an operating system login screen for logging into the network;

After logging into the network, create a custom login screen to replace the DOS and said operating system login screens;

replacing said operating system with a network provider service built from a dynamic link library;

The at least one server is informed by the network provider service that the network session of the operating system will use the same user as already used in the DOS network.

According to the invention, a device in a computer network having at least one server and at least one client, the server comprising at least a first operating system and executing a second operating system, said device for logging into said server's The means for logging a user onto multiple operating systems in said server and eliminating login screen access to a second operating system, comprising:

means for loading said first operating system from said server using remote program loading;

interactive user display login means for collecting user login data via a customized login screen to allow said user to access the first operating system; and

dynamic link library means, responsive to said login means by using a dynamic link library, to activate a second operating system in said server by using only collected user login data, and thereby bypassing the use for activating the second operating system Any other user logged in.

According to the invention, a method performed in a computer network having at least one server and at least one client, the server comprising at least a first operating system and executing a second operating system, said method for logging into said server to multiple operating systems in the server and eliminating login screen entry to a second operating system, the method comprising:

loading the first operating system from the server using remote program loading;

for collecting user login data through a customized login screen to allow said user to access the first operating system; and

Responding to said login data by using a dynamic link library to activate a second operating system in said server by using only collected user login data, and thereby bypassing any other user logins used to activate the second operating system .

The term DLL (Dynamic Link Library), which is used broadly in this application, is defined as extensions to MS-DOS files attached to a library assembly. A feature of the Windows ^(TM) (Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation) family of operating systems and OS/2 ^(TM) (OS/2 is a trademark of IBM Corporation) that allows executable routines to utilize DLL extensions Stored separately as a file and loaded only when needed by a program. DLLs have several advantages. First, it does not consume any memory until it is used. Second, since a DLL is a separate file, the programmer can correct or improve only the module without affecting the operation of the calling program or other DLLs. Finally, programmers can use the same DLL for other programs.

Registration or login in a computer network is an authentication process in which a user provides a login name and password. In networking, system administrators assign unique names to users, which are used as a means of initial identification. The user has to type this name along with his password to gain access to the system, and this is somewhat time consuming.

A turnkey system can be defined as a completed system, complete with all required hardware, documentation, and software installed and ready for use. It can also be thought of as a computer system developed for a specific application, such as a point-of-sale terminal, with all the required applications and peripherals, and delivered ready to run. Additionally, the term RPL used throughout this patent application is defined as "Remote Program Loading."

As noted above, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is based on the Windows '95 user operating system used with Windows NT Server. The NT Server represents a superset of Windows NT that provides centralized, domain-based network management and security. Window NT's Advanced Server (advanced server) also provides advanced hard disk fault tolerance, such as monitoring and additional connectivity. Windows NT is a 32-bit priority multitasking operating system with networking, symmetric multiprocessing, multithreading, and security features. It is a portable operating system that can run on various hardware platforms including Intel I 80386, i486 and Pentium microprocessors and MIPS microprocessors; it can also run on multiprocessor computers. Windows NT supports up to 4Gb of virtual memory and can run MS-DOS, POSIX, and OS/2 (character mode) applications.

Here, a brief discussion of the relationship of the various desktop "operating systems" and "server" systems is appropriate. So let's first define what the term "server" means. In a general definition, it is a powerful computer that shares resources with other computers on a network. However, servers perform a greater amount of processing than desktop computers. Servers are structured around two main requirements: (1) to transfer data quickly; and (2) to ensure data integrity and security. Servers have powerful processors.

Just as a web client must load an operating system in order for the client to work, a "web server" must have an "operating system". The main difference between a desktop operating system and a web operating system is size and resources. Typically, network operating systems are optimized differently than desktop operating systems. Desktop operating systems are designed to provide users with the best possible performance for the applications currently in use. Instead, it is the network operating system's responsibility to balance the needs of all users accessing the server, rather than giving priority to any one of these users. A typical network operating system for servers is Windows NT Server. In the 1980s, Microsoft formulated that it needed a high-level terminal operating system to compare with NetWare ^(TM) (NetWare is a trademark of Novell), UNIX ^(TM) (UNIX is a trademark of Bell Laboratories) systems, and OS/2. Two different versions were created as operating systems: "Windows NT Workstation" (Windows NT Workstation) and "Windows NT Server". Both are built around the same basic platform, but Windows NT Server has a rich set of utilities and tools that Windows NT Workstation lacks.

As an operating system for small business desktop needs, Windows '95 is an excellent choice for small peer-to-peer client networks. Windows NT Workstation is another excellent operating system for peer-to-peer high-performance networking for small businesses. Also good are OS/2, OS/2 Warp or Merlin OS/2.4 Connect ^(TM) (Merlin OS/2.4 Connect is a trademark of IBM Corporation) operating systems.

For client server network operating systems, typical include: Windows NT Server, Netware, UNIX and OS/2 Warp.

The present invention is a method for addressing some loss of applicability or inefficiency in requiring the user to enter a name and password multiple times; and eliminating the need for logging a second user name and password into the operating system question.

Current computers related to business purposes provide a turnkey network computing environment for small and medium-sized businesses. For this reason, the RPL technique is employed for several reasons. If RPL is adopted, the machine provided can be an inexpensive hard diskless system. Some client machines can be loaded with a single operating system image needed to run the machine and have the ability to provide users with real capabilities to set up their desktops machine by machine when they "log on".

When logging into a shared RPL-based Windows'95 multi-system, a login screen is presented to the end user. RPL must be configured to the first root directory under DOS7.0. For this connection, a network session is established. DOS7.0 needs to enter the actual user name and password in the login screen. This provides a session with the appropriate user privileges to the Windows NT network. After the first login screen, two further login screens for establishing a DOS 7.0 network session are provided. The network login screen at the Window'95 level is called NT Domain User (the username and password must match the DOS username and password), and Windows Login, which requests the password for a specific Windows user. In order to perform network computing solutions, it is necessary to allow multiple users to register with the same shared Windows image as required by the second screen, and establish a network login screen for Windows NT domain users to match the DOS username and password.

However, if the user is required to enter the user name and password multiple times, the system will lose some applicability. The third user name and password are easy to remove, but the second user name and password cannot be removed. The present invention easily solves these problems.

In its broadest aspect, we consider the present invention to include: a computer network having at least one server computer and at least one client computer, a means for logging a user of the server to a plurality of operating systems in the server; it includes a The interactive user displays a login for activating a first operating system in the server and employs a DLL device responsive to the login process to activate a second operating system in the server. Any other user logins for activating the second operating system are thus bypassed.

The invention also includes a method for a user logging on to a server on multiple operating systems in a server, the method comprising activating via a DLL a second operating system in said server in accordance with the user registration, thereby bypassing Any other user registration for activating the second operating system.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a general schematic diagram of a server-client network that can be configured using data files and programmed preloaded applications in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an interactive data processor controlled workstation display system that includes a central processing unit that can serve as a master server through which applications can be distributed and based on data files traits are set across the network;

Fig. 3 shows the flowchart of the whole method of the present invention; And

Figure 4 depicts the details of DOS login processing.

Detailed ways

Referring to Figure 1, a typical diagram of a local area network 52 is shown. There are two server computers 50 and 56 in the figure, with server 50 acting as the main server. Each server has a plurality of client computers: clients 51 , 53 , 54 are served by main server 50 , while server 56 serves clients 58 , 59 , 60 . Through the display interface 51 , all configuration entries and settings are completed and stored in the main server 50 . All programs for the network and the computers in the network are also loaded into the server 50 and stored for later installation. Data file 62 is a graphical representation of a stored record of keystrokes and cursor selections as selections are made over the network, while storage device 63 is used for preloading prior to network computer application distribution.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a display interface workstation that can be used as the host server 50 . A central processing unit (CPU), such as one of the PC Server series of workstations from IBM Corporation or the Poweredge 2200 ^(TM) Server (Poweredge 2200 is a trademark of Dell Corporation), is provided and interconnected by the system bus 12 to various other parts. An operating system 41 runs on the CPU 10 and provides control and is used to coordinate the functions of the various components in FIG. 2 . The operating system 41 may be one of commercially available operating systems such as Windows NT.OS/2, Windows'95, and UNIX or AIX operating systems. Read only memory (ROM) 16 is connected to CPU 10 via bus 12 and includes a basic input/output system (BIOS) that controls basic computer functions. Also interconnected to system bus 12 are random access memory (RAM) 14, I/O adapter 18, and communication adapter 34, which will be used as part of the basic memory for entry as will be described later. It should be noted that software components, including an operating system 41 and application programs 40, are loaded into RAM 14, which is the main memory of the computer system. I/O adapter 18 generally communicates with disk storage device 20 . Communications adapter 34 interconnects bus 12 with the rest of the local area network depicted in FIG. 1, enabling the data processing system to communicate with its client computers, as well as other server and client computers, to control access, configuration, and installation described hereinafter. . I/O devices are also connected to system bus 12 through user interface adapter 22 and display adapter 36 . Keyboard 24 , trackball 32 , mouse 26 and speaker 28 are all interconnected to bus 12 through user interface adapter 22 . In this way, through these input devices, the user interaction function included in the present invention can be realized. Display adapter 36 includes frame buffer 39 , which is a storage device that stores a representation of a plurality of pixels on display screen 38 . Images may be stored in frame buffer 39 for display on monitor 38 via various components such as a digital-to-analog converter (not shown). Using the I/O devices described above, a user can input information into the system via keyboard 24 , trackball 32 or mouse 26 and receive output information from the system via speaker 28 and display 38 .

The method of the present invention includes using a DOS login session to log into the network, establishing a network session, and triggering the addition of new users to the network. The login screen created by the cursor is generated instead of the DOS login screen. The logon screen created by this cursor replaces the Windows'95 logon screen. The network provider service is built in the DLL to replace the Windows'95 network provider service. The network provider's service then sends a message to the NT Server telling it that the Windows'95 network session is being established with the same user as used during the DOS network session.

As described above, the present invention provides a method to solve the problem of some usability loss or inefficiency when a user is required to enter a user name and password multiple times, and to eliminate the need to log in a second user name and password. The following discussion outlines approaches to address these issues.

The invention begins at 100, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The initial action at 101 is to invoke the DOS login session application to log in to the web session at 101, which then establishes the web session and triggers the addition of a new user to the network at 102. The next action is to create a custom login screen in 103 to replace the DOS login layer. The customized login screen replaces the Windows '95 login screen at 104 . In 105, a network provider service is built in the DLL to replace the Windows'95 network provider service.

The network provider service 106 then sends a message to the NT Server telling it that the Windows'95 network session is being established with the same user used during the DOS network session. Since the network provider service is replaced in 104, the new service does not prompt the user with a login screen in 107, which is not required given that the user is already logged in via the customized login screen 103.

Figure 4 illustrates the DOS login process. The first action in the process is in 400 the user powers up and the login screen appears. Then at 402, the user enters his name and password. In 408 a query is made as to whether it is a new user. If the answer to the query is yes, then in 409 the password is verified and a request to enter the user's full name is generated. Then in 410, the user is notified to send a message to the NT Server by sending a message to the server. Then in 411, ask whether this message file is removed. If the answer is no, the process returns to 411 until the file is removed. Once complete, the process successfully logs in 412 and the process ends in 413 .

If in 408 the answer to the query "Are you a new user?" is no, then in 407 the process attempts to log in. The next query is whether the login was successful. If the answer is yes, then the process goes to completion block 412 which is a successful login. If the answer to the query in 405 is no, then in 404 the system asks if this is a third attempt. If the answer is yes, then in 406, the login fails and the system must reboot.

If the answer to 404 is no, i.e. not the third attempt, then the process reaches 403 where it is required to identify the failure by message and identify the response to and from the NT Server. Then at 401, the message suggests one more try and the process repeats to 402.

While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that the foregoing and other changes in form and details could be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Change.

Claims (7)

1. In a computer network environment with at least one server and at least one client, the server executes an operating system with a login screen entry after logging into the network, a method for eliminating the login screen entry, said The method adopts a remote program loading and a network provider dynamic link library, and the method includes the steps of: Logging into a network session and triggering the addition of a new user to the network; Employs a DOS network login dialog and an operating system login screen for logging into the network; After logging into the network, create a custom login screen to replace the DOS and said operating system login screens; replacing said operating system with a network provider service built from a dynamic link library; The at least one server is informed by the network provider service that the network session of the operating system will use the same user as already used in the DOS network. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said operating system is Windows'95, and said network server is selected from the group consisting of Windows NT Server, NetWare, OS/2 and UNIX servers. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said operating system is a Windows NT workstation and said network server is sent in the group consisting of Windows NT Server, NetWare, OS/2 and UNIX servers. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said operating system is OS/2 Warp and said network server is selected from the group consisting of Windows NT Server, NetWare, OS/2, and UNIX servers. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said operating system is UNIX and said network server is selected from the group consisting of Windows NT Server, NetWare, OS/2, and UNIX servers. 6. An arrangement in a computer network having at least one server and at least one client, the server comprising at least a first operating system and executing a second operating system, said arrangement for logging a user of said server into On multiple operating systems in the server and eliminating the login screen entry to the second operating system, the device includes: means for loading said first operating system from said server using remote program loading; interactive user display login means for collecting user login data via a customized login screen to allow said user to access the first operating system; and dynamic link library means, responsive to said login means by using a dynamic link library, to activate a second operating system in said server by using only collected user login data, and thereby bypassing the use for activating the second operating system Any other user logged in. 7. A method performed in a computer network having at least one server and at least one client, the server comprising at least a first operating system and executing a second operating system, said method being used for a user logging into said server to a plurality of operating systems in said server and eliminating login screen entry to a second operating system, said method comprising: loading the first operating system from the server using remote program loading; for collecting user login data through a customized login screen to allow said user to access the first operating system; and Responding to said login data by using a dynamic link library to activate a second operating system in said server by using only collected user login data, and thereby bypassing any other user logins used to activate the second operating system .

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