Flexible software solution for automatic maintenance of thick-client systems
Olof Olsson, Anders Ardö · 2013
Many distributed systems are implemented with very simple thin clients than can operate without much locally bound software. This makes them fairly easy to update since the application is stored on a central server. When on the other hand a distributed system need to access local hardware, a thick client using local software must be used. To enable surveillance and maintenance over thick client systems, it is necessary to automate the update and surveillance procedure with software. This software should be able to control and survey the behavior of unique installations and be dynamic enough to maintain and survey any thick client. The software needs to be flexible in its design to allow support for multiple system types. The purpose of this study was to propose a design for a system that could enable cost-effective maintenance and surveillance of a distributed thick client system. To develop a possible design for this system an article study was conducted into usable design patterns and frameworks. The proposed design was also evaluated by the development of a prototype system. This system was tested on a thick client where its usefulness could be evaluated.