Multiple manager to multiple server IP locking mechanism in a directory-enabled network

摘要

A system and method for a multiple manager to multiple server Internet Protocol (IP) locking application in a directory-enabled network. The IP locking application is a component of a network management application and runs on each server device. The IP locking application processes requests from a network management application on two user-defined TCP/IP port numbers. The first port is designated as the status port and can be accessed by multiple network management applications and/or multiple users to determine the identification of the network management application and/or user that has control of the second port which is designated as the lock port. The status port is used to determine whether or not the server directory is currently being updated by another network management application or user. The lock port is used to actually lock the server device by forming a connection to the port and passing the user and network management application identifiers of the lock requester. Since the lock port is a TCP/IP port, only one connection can be active at a given time. The lock is normally released by disconnecting from the port.