Method and apparatus for ensuring an allowable client configuration for an application

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that ensures an allowable client configuration for an application. During operation, the client sends a request to access the application to a server hosting the application. In response the request, the server downloads an analysis application to the client. Next, the client executes the analysis application, whereby the analysis application gathers configuration data that specifies a present configuration of the client. The system examines this configuration data to determine whether the client has a configuration that allows the application to execute on the client based on pre-established criteria. If the client has an allowable configuration, the system allows the client to execute the application.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for ensuring an allowable client configuration for an application, comprising:
 sending a request to a server from a client to access the application; 
 in response to the request, receiving an analysis application from the server at the client, wherein the analysis application is distinct from the application; 
 executing the analysis application on the client, wherein the analysis application gathers configuration data that specifies a present configuration of the client; 
 sending the configuration data to the server; 
 examining the present configuration at the server to determine whether the client has an allowable configuration that allows the application to execute on the client based on pre-established criteria; 
 if the present configuration indicates the client has the allowable configuration, allowing the client to execute the application; and 
 if the present configuration indicates the client does not have an allowable configuration,
 determining if configuration settings at the client can be changed so that the client has an allowable configuration, and 
 if so, changing configuration so that the client has an allowable configuration. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising asking a user to approve a change in configuration prior to changing the configuration of the client. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein if the present configuration indicates that the client has a marginal configuration based on a pre-established criterion, the method further comprises:
 informing a user of the client that the client has a marginal configuration; and 
 allowing the client to execute the application. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 saving a token at the client, wherein the token indicates whether the client has the allowable configuration for the application to execute; and 
 during a subsequent request to execute the application, referring to the token to determine whether the client has an allowable configuration. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the token is set to expire after a predetermined time period has elapsed. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 returning the present configuration to the server; and 
 allowing the server to store the present configuration in a database, wherein the database includes configuration data for a plurality of clients. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising analyzing the database to determine whether it is advantageous to upgrade a configuration of the plurality of clients. 
     
     
       8. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for ensuring an allowable client configuration for an application, the method comprising:
 sending a request to a server from a client to access the application; 
 in response to the request, receiving an analysis application from the server at the client, wherein the analysis application is distinct from the application; 
 executing the analysis application on the client, wherein the analysis application gathers configuration data that specifies a present configuration of the client; 
 sending the configuration data to the server; 
 examining the present configuration at the server to determine whether the client has an allowable configuration that allows the application to execute on the client based on pre-established criteria; 
 if the present configuration indicates the client has the allowable configuration, allowing the client to execute the application; and 
 if the present configuration indicates the client does not have an allowable configuration, 
 determining if configuration settings at the client can be changed so that the client has an allowable configuration, and 
 if so, changing configuration so that the client has an allowable configuration. 
 
     
     
       9. The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , the method further comprising asking a user to approve a change in configuration prior to changing the configuration of the client. 
     
     
       10. The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein if the present configuration indicates that the client has a marginal configuration based on a pre-established criterion, the method further comprises:
 informing a user of the client that the client has a marginal configuration; and 
 allowing the client to execute the application. 
 
     
     
       11. The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 saving a token at the client, wherein the token indicates whether the client has the allowable configuration for the application to execute; and 
 during a subsequent request to execute the application, referring to the token to determine whether the client has an allowable configuration. 
 
     
     
       12. The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein the token is set to expire after a predetermined time period has elapsed. 
     
     
       13. The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , the method further comprising:
 returning the present configuration to the server; and 
 allowing the server to store the present configuration in a database, wherein the database includes configuration data for a plurality of clients. 
 
     
     
       14. The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 13 , the method further comprising analyzing the database to determine whether it is advantageous to upgrade a configuration of the plurality of clients. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus for ensuring an allowable client configuration for an application, comprising:
 a sending mechanism configured to send a request to a server from a client to access the application; 
 a receiving mechanism configured to receive an analysis application from the server at the client in response to the request, wherein the analysis application is distinct from the application; 
 an executing mechanism configured to execute the analysis application on the client, wherein the analysis application gathers configuration data that specifies a present configuration of the client; 
 a sending mechanism configured to send the configuration data to the server; 
 an examining mechanism configured to examine the present configuration at the server to determine whether the client has an allowable configuration that allows the application to execute on the client based on pre-established criteria; 
 an application execution mechanism configured to allow the client to execute the application if the present configuration indicates the client has the allowable configuration, 
 a determining mechanism configured to determine if configuration settings at the client can be changed so that the client has an allowable configuration; and 
 a changing mechanism configured to change the configuration so that the client has an allowable configuration. 
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a query mechanism configured to ask a user to approve a change in configuration prior to changing the configuration of the client. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 an informing mechanism configured to inform a user of the client that the client has a marginal configuration wherein if the present configuration indicates that the client has a marginal configuration based on a pre-established criterion; and 
 wherein the allowing mechanism is further configured to allow the client to execute the application. 
 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a saving mechanism configured to save a token at the client, wherein the token indicates whether the client has the allowable configuration for the application to execute; and 
 a referring mechanism configured to refer t to the token to determine whether the client has an allowable configuration during a subsequent request to execute the application. 
 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the token is set to expire after a predetermined period has elapsed. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a returning mechanism configured to return the present configuration to the server; and 
 a storing mechanism configured to allow the server to store the present configuration in a database, wherein the database includes configuration data for a plurality of clients. 
 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprising an analyzing mechanism configured to analyze the database to determine whether it is advantageous to upgrade a configuration of the plurality of clients.