Data processing: software development – installation – and managem – Software program development tool – Translation of code
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-29
2001-11-27
Follansbee, John A. (Department: 2154)
Data processing: software development, installation, and managem
Software program development tool
Translation of code
C709S220000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324690
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of management of computer systems on a network, and specifically to installation of application software on computer systems through a network.
2. Prior Art
Local Area Networks (LANs) have been developed for interconnecting computer systems for communication amongst computer users, for the exchange of data and for the sharing of resources (e.g. printers, facsimile devices, modems and the like). To properly implement and manage a LAN, a LAN administrator is needed. A LAN Administrator's duties may include such functions as registering users to use the Local Area Network, maintaining the shared resources and monitoring the network load. LANs may also be used to manage the computer systems connected to the network.
With respect to management of the computer systems on the LAN, a desirable function for the LAN administrator is to remotely install application software on systems. Moreover, it would be desirable to perform such installations without the presence of the LAN Administrator. However, known techniques for remote installation of software require the writing of scripts outlining the installation procedures. The writing of scripts is a manual, error prone task which must be performed for each system onto which an application is to be installed.
An improved implementation for remote installation of applications by a LAN administrator is the netOctopus™ program, available from B&L Impuls Software GmbH. netOctopus operates in an Apple® Macintosh networked environment. netOctopus provides for the remote execution of installation scripts on systems in which the application software is to be installed. netOctopus utilizes the installer program that accompanies each Apple Macintosh system. However netOctopus merely allows the LAN Administrator to perform the installation across the network, as if they were sitting at the workstation themselves.
Consequently, it would be desirable to provide a means for automating script generation for remote installation of application software by a LAN Administrator. Further, it would be desirable to provide for such remote installation in a manner that does not require the presence of the LAN Administrator.
SUMMARY
A technique for the remote installation of application software from a source computer system to one or more target computer systems (workstations) coupled to a Local Area Network (LAN) is disclosed. The present invention allows a LAN Administrator to install application software on a user's workstation automatically at any time without user's intervention. The state of (i.e. a snapshot of) the LAN Administrator's system before and after the installation of the application software is captured and an installation package is built. Installation on the user workstations is then scheduled. At that time the installation package is transmitted to the user's workstation where a program carries out commands in the installation package for installing the application software.
The installation package consists of an IPACK format file and the files contained in an application software program. The IPACK format file contains sets of commands that are used to modify system files and perform other functions necessary to the installation of the application software. Further, a personality file may be defined which allows for custom tailoring of the installation on a user's workstation. Further, a UPACK format file provides instructions for deinstalling application software. Deinstallation of application software is necessary for removing unwanted or outdated applications from the user's workstation.
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Blakely , Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
Follansbee John A.
Intel Corporation
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