US5805897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for remote software configuration and distribution
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1995-01-09
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Granted: 1998-09-08
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Expires: 2015-01-09
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for remote software installation and maintenance. A number of workstations are connected by a network. Each has basic peer-to-peer communication ability providing remote file transfer and remote command execution. An arbitrarily selected workstation captures user installation requirements and controls installation and maintenance processing. Task lists are selected based upon requirements and the steps of the task list are executed locally, or remotely, to satisfy the installation or maintenance requirement. Task list process is logged so that processing may be resumed following a failure or intentional suspension.
Inventors
- 👤 David Andrew Glowny
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:46
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G06F8/61; G06F2209/00; G06F2209/54; G06F2209/549
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
In a system in which a plurality of workstations including a local workstation and a remote workstation are interconnected by a network, apparatus for performing a specified software installation operation comprising one or more tasks on said remote workstation, said apparatus comprising: communication means at each of said workstation for communicating with the remaining workstation via said network, said means being operable to initiate from said local workstation the execution of a selected operation on said remote workstation; installation means at said remote workstation for performing a specified software installation operation on said remote workstation in response to a command specifying said operation; said installation also being capable of performing any other utility functions required for scheduling and controlling software installations such as configuration services, task designation, task prioritization and performance; user interaction means at said local workstation for receiving user requirements specifying a software installation operation on said remote workstation; and task initiation means at said local workstation for initiating via said communication means the execution by said installation means of said specified software installation operation on said remote workstation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a system in which a plurality of workstations including a local workstation and a remote workstation are interconnected by a network, apparatus for performing a specified software installation operation comprising one or more tasks on said remote workstation, said apparatus comprising: communication means at each of said workstation for communicating with the remaining workstation via said network, said means being operable to initiate from said local workstation the execution of a selected operation on said remote workstation; installation means at said remote workstation for performing a specified software installation operation on said remote workstation in response to a command specifying said operation; said installation also being capable of performing any other utility functions required for scheduling and controlling software installations such as configuration services, task designation, task prioritization and performance; user interaction means at said local workstation for receiving user requirements specifying a software installation operation on said remote workstation; and task initiation means at said local workstation for initiating via said communication means the execution by said installation means of said specified software installation operation on said remote workstation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising said installation means at said local workstation, said task initiation means being selectively operable either: to actuate the installation means at said local workstation to perform said specified software installation operation on said local workstation; or to actuate the installation means at said remote workstation via said communication means to perform said specified software installation operation on said remote workstation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said communication means initiates the execution of said operation on said remote workstation using a remote command execution procedure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which one of said tasks comprises copying software to said remote workstation from another workstation, said communication means being operable to copy said software from said other workstation to said remote workstation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 in which said communication means copies said software to said remote workstation using a remote file transfer procedure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said specified software installation operation comprises a plurality of tasks such as--packing and unpacking of data files, verifying existence of pre-requisite software or databases, deleting and creating databases, loading and storing data, shutting down or rebooting any workstation--said task initiation means initiating the execution by said installation means of each of said tasks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which said task initiation means comprises: means for generating a list of the tasks making up said specified software installation operation; and means for initiating the execution by said installation means of each of the tasks contained in said list.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which said task initiation means comprises means for recording the completion status of each of said tasks.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a system in which a plurality of workstations including a local workstation and a remote workstation are interconnected by a network, a computerimplemented method of performing a specified software installation operation on said remote workstation, comprising the steps of: providing an installation program at said remote workstation for performing a specified software installation operation on said remote workstation in response to a command specifying said operation; receiving user requirements at said local workstation to specifying a software installation operation on said remote workstation; remotely initiating from said local workstation via said network the execution of said specified software installation operation by said installation program on said remote workstation; and said software installation also comprising the performance of configuration services, task designation, and task prioritization and performance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a system in which a plurality of workstations including a local workstation and a remote workstation are interconnected by a network, a computerimplemented method of performing a specified software installation operation on said remote workstation, comprising the steps of: providing an installation program at said remote workstation for performing a specified software installation operation on said remote workstation in response to a command specifying said operation; receiving user requirements at said local workstation to specifying a software installation operation on said remote workstation; remotely initiating from said local workstation via said network the execution of said specified software installation operation by said installation program on said remote workstation; and said software installation also comprising the performance of configuration services, task designation, and task prioritization and performance.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9 in which said the execution of said command is initiated on said remote workstation using a remote command execution procedure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9 in which one of said tasks comprises copying software to said remote workstation from another workstation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 in which said software is copied to said remote workstation using a remote file transfer procedure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 9 in which said specified software installation operation comprises a plurality of tasks, said initiating step comprising the step of remotely initiating the execution of each of said tasks.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 13 in which said initiating step comprises the steps of: generating a list of the tasks making up said specified software installation operation; and remotely initiating the execution of each of the tasks contained in said list.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 in which said initiating step comprises the step of recording the completion status of each of said tasks.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-07 | 2002-03-09 | 2002-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-07 | 2006-03-09 | 2006-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-07 | 2010-03-09 | 2010-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |