US5367686A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for automated complex multilevel softward installation in a data processing system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1993-04-12
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Granted: 1994-11-22
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Expires: 2013-04-12
Abstract
Abstract The method of the present invention presents a plurality of option panels to a user, each option panel requiring at least one user input which specifies a system option for a selected data processing system. Thereafter, an installation profile is created utilizing these specified system options, including at least a description of the operating system to be utilized and a description of the data processing system hardware configuration. In one embodiment of the present invention this installation profile is then stored in conjunction with a complex multilevel software application on a portable storage media, such as a tape reel. Thereafter, the installation of the complex multilevel software application may be automatically accomplished by reference to the installation profile which contains those values which represent preset installation options. An operating system is installed utilizing the values set forth in the installation profile and the Initial Program Load (IPL) of the operating system is also accomplished utilizing the preset installation options contained within the installation profile.
Inventors
- 👤 Arvin J. Fisher
- 👤 Alan Hlava
- 👤 Paul D. Koeller
- 👤 Mary C. Manges
- 👤 Michael K. Russell
- 👤 Robert H. Satin
- 👤 Gordon G. Stewart
- 👤 Patricia A. Timms
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:43
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G06F8/61; G06F8/64; G06F15/00; G06F15/16; G06F15/177; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/4401; G06F9/4406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
286 words
A method for the efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system having selected software applications currently installed therein, said complex multilevel software application including microcode, an operating system and at least one high level application, said method comprising the steps of: creating within a data processing system an automatic installation profile containing a plurality of preselected installation options for a selected data processing system; storing said automatic installation profile on a portable storage media with said complex multilevel software application; in response to an initiation of installation by a user, automatically determining a level of microcode within said selected data processing system; thereafter utilizing said automatic installation profile to automatically install said microcode within said selected data processing system in response to an insertion of said portable storage media within said selected data processing system by said user to the extent said microcode is not currently installed within said selected data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation; automatically determining a level of operating system present within said selected data processing system and thereafter utilizing said automatic installation profile to automatically install said operating system within said selected data processing system to the extent said operating system is not currently installed within said data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation; and automatically determining a level of high level application present within said selected data processing system and thereafter utilizing said automated installation profile to automatically install said high level application within said selected data processing system to the extent said high level application is not currently installed within said data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
286 words
A method for the efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system having selected software applications currently installed therein, said complex multilevel software application including microcode, an operating system and at least one high level application, said method comprising the steps of: creating within a data processing system an automatic installation profile containing a plurality of preselected installation options for a selected data processing system; storing said automatic installation profile on a portable storage media with said complex multilevel software application; in response to an initiation of installation by a user, automatically determining a level of microcode within said selected data processing system; thereafter utilizing said automatic installation profile to automatically install said microcode within said selected data processing system in response to an insertion of said portable storage media within said selected data processing system by said user to the extent said microcode is not currently installed within said selected data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation; automatically determining a level of operating system present within said selected data processing system and thereafter utilizing said automatic installation profile to automatically install said operating system within said selected data processing system to the extent said operating system is not currently installed within said data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation; and automatically determining a level of high level application present within said selected data processing system and thereafter utilizing said automated installation profile to automatically install said high level application within said selected data processing system to the extent said high level application is not currently installed within said data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method for efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system having selected software applications currently installed thereon according to claim 1, further including the step of substituting a currently installed installation option for a selected one of said preselected installation options in response to a determination that software associated with said currently installed installation option is currently installed within said selected data processing system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method for efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system having selected software applications currently installed thereon according to claim 1, further including the step of automatically creating an installation user profile during said automatic installation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method for efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system having selected software applications currently installed thereon according to claim 3, further including the step of automatically signing-on in said selected data processing system utilizing said installation user profile during said automatic installation wherein said installation user profile may be utilized to install said complex multilevel software application.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method for efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system having selected software applications currently installed thereon according to claim 1, further including the step of storing said automatic installation profile within said selected data processing system after said automatic installation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method for efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system having selected software applications currently installed thereon according to claim 5, further including the step of automatically installing a second complex software application utilizing said stored automatic installation profile.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
313 words
A method for the efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system, said complex multilevel software application including microcode, an operating system and at least one high level application, said method comprising the steps of: presenting a plurality of option panels to a user utilizing a data processing system, each option panel requiring a user input to said data processing system specifying a system option for a selected data processing system; creating within said data processing system an automatic installation profile for said selected data processing system utilizing said specified system options; storing said automatic installation profile on a portable storage media with a complex multilevel software application; in response to an initiation of installation by a user, automatically determining a level of microcode within said selected data processing system; thereafter utilizing said automatic installation profile to automatically install said microcode within said selected data processing system in response to an insertion of said portable storage media within said selected data processing system by said user to the extent said microcode is not currently installed within said selected data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation; automatically determining a level of operating system present within said selected data processing system and thereafter utilizing said automatic installation profile to automatically install said operating system within said selected data processing system to the extent said operating system is not currently installed within said data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation; and automatically determining a level of high level application present within said selected data processing system and thereafter utilizing said automated installation profile to automatically install said high level application within said selected data processing system to the extent said high level application is not currently installed within said data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
313 words
A method for the efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system, said complex multilevel software application including microcode, an operating system and at least one high level application, said method comprising the steps of: presenting a plurality of option panels to a user utilizing a data processing system, each option panel requiring a user input to said data processing system specifying a system option for a selected data processing system; creating within said data processing system an automatic installation profile for said selected data processing system utilizing said specified system options; storing said automatic installation profile on a portable storage media with a complex multilevel software application; in response to an initiation of installation by a user, automatically determining a level of microcode within said selected data processing system; thereafter utilizing said automatic installation profile to automatically install said microcode within said selected data processing system in response to an insertion of said portable storage media within said selected data processing system by said user to the extent said microcode is not currently installed within said selected data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation; automatically determining a level of operating system present within said selected data processing system and thereafter utilizing said automatic installation profile to automatically install said operating system within said selected data processing system to the extent said operating system is not currently installed within said data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation; and automatically determining a level of high level application present within said selected data processing system and thereafter utilizing said automated installation profile to automatically install said high level application within said selected data processing system to the extent said high level application is not currently installed within said data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method for efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said user inputs specifying a system option for a selected data processing system comprises a user input describing an operating system for utilization with said selected data processing system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method for efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said user inputs specifying a system option for a selected data processing system comprises a user input describing a hardware configuration of said selected data processing system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system according to claim 7, further including the step of automatically creating an installation user profile during said automatic installation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method for efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system according to claim 10, further including the step of automatically signing on in said selected data processing system utilizing said installation user profile during said automatic installation wherein said installation user profile may be utilized to install said complex multilevel software application.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method for efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system according to claim 7, further including the step of storing said automatic installation profile within said selected data processing system after said automatic installation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method for efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system according to claim 12, further including the step of automatically installing a second complex software application utilizing said stored automatic installation profile.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-21 | 1998-05-23 | 1998-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-21 | 2002-05-23 | 2002-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-21 | 2006-05-23 | 2006-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |