Re: New method for Packages/Sources file updates
Steve Langasek <vorlon@debian.org> writes:
> On Thu, Nov 25, 2004 at 06:59:15PM +0100, Frank Küster wrote:
>> Goswin von Brederlow <brederlo@informatik.uni-tuebingen.de> wrote:
>
>> > The apt rsync method (begining of 128818) for packages updates, of
>> > which there are several fully working versions out too, does put a big
>> > strain on mirrors and is realy no suitable.
>
>> There was also an ITP for a client-side rsync method that puts the load
>> on the client side, and which was intended to solve the same problem,
>> eventually. I didn't bother to read the details, though.
>
> Aren't there patent issues related to flipping the rsync protocol around?
>
> --
> Steve Langasek
> postmodern programmer
The phd thesis paper of the rsync author mentions that there is a
patent for an algorithm similar to rsync (but not identical). I don't
see flipping client and server as a change in the algorithm and the
same should still hold true. Changing the protocol from push to pull
mode is just an implementation detail and doesn't change the use of a
rolling and a save checksum to detect identical sections.
MfG
Goswin
PS: I also don't care about silly US patents, lets hope I never go
there :)
Reply to: