Method and system for synchronizing computer mail user directories

US5838923A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Microsoft Corporation · US

Inventors

• Duncan Lee · Placentia, US
• Mark Ledsome · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 22, 1996
• Grant date: Nov 17, 1998
• Expiry date: Jul 22, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S707/99952
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method and system for synchronizing directories containing information about computer mail users. In a preferred embodiment, a computer mail facility synchronizes a user directory stored in a responding directory node with a more current user directory stored in an originating directory node. Directory update transactions are received in the originating node and assigned a sequence number to denote the consecutive order of acquisition. The sequence number is relative to an originating sequence number which tracks the completed transmission of the transactions to the responding node. The transactions are processed by the originating node and subsequently transmitted to the responding directory node. Upon receipt of the transactions, the responding node transmits a confirmation message indicating the largest consecutive sequence number of a received transaction. This is used by the originating directory node to determine whether the responding node has received a complete set of the transactions. The sequence number in the confirmation message is then used to set the originating sequence number.