Netscape Communications Corporation

David Christie

Jeffrey Winner

The present invention provides the ability to use an existing store-and-forward messaging network such as an electronic mail system to replicate data between computer sites. The replication provided by the present invention can be used with software applications, such as workgroup applications, to replicate data located on multiple sites. Workgroup replication data is sent to other sites via electronic mail ('e-mail') messages. The present invention provides reliability features to handle errors in electronic mail transmissions. For example, the present invention provides the ability to reassemble objects at a replication site such that an object and all of its dependencies exist prior to the object's use at the site. Messages referred to as 'ACK' messages are used to communicate a site's state and to provide other control information. Each site maintains latency information to determine transmission failures.

Method and apparatus for workgroup information replication

The present invention provides the ability to use an existing store-and-forward messaging network such as an electronic mail system to replicate data between computer sites. The replication provided by the present invention can be used with software applications, such as workgroup applications, to replicate data located on multiple sites. Workgroup replication data is sent to other sites via electronic mail (&ldquo;e-mail&rdquo;) messages. The present invention provides reliability features to handle errors in electronic mail transmissions. For example, the present invention provides the ability to reassemble objects at a replication site such that an object and all of its dependencies exist prior to the object's use at the site. Messages referred to as &ldquo;ACK&rdquo; messages are used to communicate a site's state and to provide other control information. Each site maintains latency information to determine transmission failures.

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Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

David Christie