Method of moving objects in a computer network

Abstract

In a computer network ( ), an object ( ) located at a current host address and port number ( ) receives a move indication ( ) from itself or a virtual object ( ) located at an originating host address and port number ( ). After determining its availability to move, the object ( ) creates a serialized version ( ) of itself to send to a new host address and port number ( ). The object ( ) also retains an old version ( ) of itself at the current host address and port number ( ). A new version ( ) of the object ( ) is established at the new host address and port number ( ) from the serialized version ( ) of the object ( ). Once established, the new version ( ) sends a status update message ( ) to the old version ( ). The old version ( ) de-registers itself from the current host address and port number ( ). If forwarding is desired, the old version ( ) creates a secretary object ( ) that routes messages to the new version ( ) that were addressed to the old version before updating has occurred in the computer network ( ).