The UpdateShield system basically consists of
the update system and the Updater. The update system provides an interface to
enable the application to control the Updater. You can integrate the update
system into your application by using the two provided methods: the shell proection and the UpdateCheck
API. The UpdateShield Integrator tool provides the
shell protection that can wrap the application with the update system. Hence,
there is no programming needed, and you can add the software update capability
to your application instantly. The UpdateCheck API
provides functions that allow you to add the software update capability to your
application, as well as interface with the Updater. The UpdateCheck
API provides greater flexibility and seamless integration than the shell
protection. For example, you can add the 'Check for Updates' menu item within
your application.
The Updater is an agent that runs as a background process to connect to
the server, check for updates, download and install them. When performing
software update, the Updater loads the Server Side index file from the server
and checks against its Client Side index file to determine whether a new update
is available. Both Client Side and Server Side index files are XML files that
store the update properties such as version number, download link, and options.
In addition, the UpdateShield system also
provides the Update Server solution that enables you to extend the
manageability of software updates available to the users. The Update Server
supports software update subscription that allows you have full control over
who and when the user can gain access to download the updates. Besides, the
Update Server also supports the enterprise solution to operate a local update
server that caches the updates locally. This enables the corporate
administrator to control how and when client computers can download and update
the application.
See Also
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Updater