Dynamic file mapping for network computers

(54) DYNAMIC FILE MAPPING FOR NETWORK COMPUTERS

(75) Inventors: Steven Michael French;

Chakkalamattam Jos Paul, both of
Austin; James Richard Schoech,

Round Rock, all of TX (US)

(73) Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/140,169

(22) Filed: Aug. 26, 1998

(51) Int. CI.7 G06F 15/173

(52) U.S. CI 707/10; 707/9; 709/203;

709/219; 709/225; 709/229; 713/201; 713/202

(58) Field of Search 707/10, 9, 201;

709/203, 225, 219, 229, 239

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

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5,796,952 * 8/1998 Davis et al 709/224

5,875,327 * 2/1999 Brandt et al 395/651

5,926,637 * 7/1999 Cline et al 395/701

5,974,572 * 10/1999 Weinberg et al 714/47

6,018,745 * 1/2000 Kuftedjian 707/200

6,029,168 * 2/2000 Frey 707/10

6,061,795 * 5/2000 Dircks et al 713/201

File mappings are dynamically loaded within an operating data processing system appended to existing file or directory mappings during operation rather than being loaded during system initialization. A triggering event, such as a user logging into a network from the data processing system with a unique userid, initiates the process for selectively loaded the dynamic file mappings. A context variable, such as the userid of the user logging into the network, is employed to select the set or table of file mappings which are dynamically loaded. The dynamically loaded file mappings are appended to traditional, machine-specific file mappings loaded at system initialization and may be unloaded without affecting such traditional file mappings. The capability of dynamic file mapping allows single-user applications, those designed for use by only one user at a time, to be shared from a single network location, with user-specific files mapped to different locations for different users. Thus, only one copy of a browser is required in a network computer environment. Sensitive files, such as bookmark, security, and cookie files, are dynamically mapped to a user-specific directory based on the userid regardless of the user unit from which the user logs in. Multiple users may share a single copy of the single user browser, and users may "roam" the network, logging in at any data processing system.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets