Method and apparatus for configuring a computer

• US 20020055991A1
• Filed: 05/22/2001
• Published: 05/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Arrouye, Yan, Comiskey, John, Guittet, Michel, Nebel, Christopher, Li, Alice, Ford, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 6,578,042 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44526 Plug-ins; Add-ons
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/45512 Command shells
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0843 based on generic templates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0856 by backing up or archiving configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A method and apparatus for configuring a computer. One embodiment of the invention combines all of the prior art control panels related to networking into a consolidated Network Setup Control Panel. In addition, the invention provides for computer configuration by scripting. The configuration may be for a type of system setting or for network configurations and protocols. Through scripting, a computer may be configured locally or remotely on a network. One embodiment of the invention provides for a centralized database or Configuration Library consisting of collected data relating to available configuration settings. This database is not limited to configuration information and can be used as a general database containing information the user desires to store. To modify a configuration by scripting, the invention provides for a Scripting Interface consisting of a Scripting Server and Scripting Plug-In. The Scripting Server receives the script forwarded from a user or network administrator, parses the script and determines the appropriate Scripting Plug-In to forward the desired action to. The Scripting Plug-In receives the commands and executes the appropriate actions to modify the configuration as directed.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a computer comprising:

obtaining a script;

launching said script on a scripting server; and

modifying configuration settings according to said script.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said obtaining step further comprises:

obtaining a dictionary of scriptable commands; and

programming a script using scriptable commands from said dictionary.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said scripting server is located on a remote computer.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said modifying step comprises:

parsing said script;

forwarding commands contained in said script to a Scripting Plug-In; and

modifying configuration settings using said Scripting Plug-In.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said modifying step comprises:

obtaining a database of configuration settings; and

modifying said configuration settings in said database;

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said obtaining a database of configuration settings in said database step comprises:

retrieving configuration settings from existing files;

obtaining a database capable of storing configuration information; and

storing said configuration settings from said existing files into said database of configuration settings;

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said modifying said configuration settings step further comprises:

determining if said existing files have been altered;

if said existing files have been altered, performing the following steps;

determining if said existing files support multiple configurations;

obtaining a configuration in said database for each multiple configuration if said files support multiple configurations;

obtaining a configuration in said database for said existing file'"'"'s configuration if said configuration does not support multiple configurations;

modifying said configurations in said database.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

determining if said existing files support multiple configurations;

writing said configurations from said database into said existing files if said existing files support multiple configurations; and

writing a currently active configuration from said database to said existing file if said existing files do not support multiple configurations.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

capturing a date stamp from said existing file;

recording said date stamp in said database;

said determining if said configuration has been altered step comprising comparing said date stamp in said existing file to said recorded date stamp in said database.

10. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

determining if other users were accessing said database; and

notifying said other users of said modification.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said coinfguration settings are network configuration settings.

11. A method for configuring a computer comprising:

obtaining a database;

loading said database with configuration settings; and

modifying said configuration settings in said database.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said loading step comprises:

retrieving configuration settings from existing files; and

storing said configuration settings from said existing files into said database of configuration settings;

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said modifying step comprises:

determining if said existing files have been altered;

if said existing files have been altered, performing the following steps;

determining if said existing files support multiple configurations;

obtaining a configuration in said database for each multiple configuration if said files support multiple configurations;

obtaining a configuration in said database for said existing file'"'"'s configuration if said configuration does not support multiple configurations; and

modifying said configurations in said database.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

determining if said existing files support multiple configurations;

writing said configurations from said database into said existing files if said existing files support multiple configurations; and

writing a currently active configuration from said database to said existing file if said existing files do not support multiple configurations.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

capturing a date stamp from said existing file;

recording said date stamp in said database;

said determining if said configuration has been altered step comprising comparing said date stamp in said existing file to said recorded date stamp in said database.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

determining if other users were accessing said database; and

notifying said other users of said modification.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein said configuration settings are network configuration settings.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said method obtaining a script comprises:

a method obtaining a dictionary of scriptable commands; and

a method programming a script using scriptable commands from said dictionary.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein said scripting server is located on a remote computer.

22. The system of claim 19 wherein said method modifying comprises:

a method parsing said script;

a method forwarding commands contained in said script to a Scripting Plug-In; and

a method modifying configuration settings using said Scripting Plug-In.

23. The system of claim 19 wherein said method modifying comprises:

a method obtaining a database of configuration settings; and

a method modifying said configuration settings in said database;

24. The system of claim 23 wherein said method obtaining a database of configuration settings in said database comprises:

a method retrieving configuration settings from existing files;

a method obtaining a database capable of storing configuration information; and

a method storing said configuration settings from said existing files into said database of configuration settings;

25. The system of claim 24 wherein said method modifying said configuration settings further comprises:

a method determining if said existing files have been altered;

if said existing files have been altered, object code configured to performing the following;

a method determining if said existing files support multiple configurations;

a method obtaining a configuration in said database for each multiple configuration if said files support multiple configurations;

a method obtaining a configuration in said database for said existing file'"'"'s configuration if said configuration does not support multiple configurations;

a method modifying said configurations in said database.

26. The system of claim 25 further comprising:

a method determining if said existing files support multiple configurations;

a method writing said configurations from said database into said existing files if said existing files support multiple configurations; and

a method writing a currently active configuration from said database to said existing file if said existing files do not support multiple configurations.

27. The system of claim 26 further comprising:

a method capturing a date stamp from said existing file;

a method recording said date stamp in said database;

said determining if said configuration has been altered method comprising a method comparing said date stamp in said existing file to said recorded date stamp in said database.

28. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

a method determining if other users were accessing said database; and

a method notifying said other users of said modification.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein said method loading said database comprises:

a method retrieving configuration settings from existing files; and

a method storing said configuration settings from said existing files into said database of configuration settings;

31. The system of claim 30 wherein said method modifying comprises:

a method determining if said existing files have been altered;

if said existing files have been altered, object code configured to perform the following;

a method determining if said existing files support multiple configurations;

a method obtaining a configuration in said database for each multiple configuration if said files support multiple configurations;

a method obtaining a configuration in said database for said existing file'"'"'s configuration if said configuration does not support multiple configurations; and

a method modifying said configurations in said database.

32. The system of claim 31 further comprising:

a method determining if said existing files support multiple configurations;

a method writing said configurations from said database into said existing files if said existing files support multiple configurations; and

a method writing a currently active configuration from said database to said existing file if said existing files do not support multiple configurations.

33. The system of claim 32 further comprising:

a method capturing a date stamp from said existing file;

a method recording said date stamp in said database;

said method determining if said configuration has been altered comprising a method comparing said date stamp in said existing file to said recorded date stamp in said database.

34. The system of claim 29 further comprising:

a method determining if other users were accessing said database; and

a method notifying said other users of said modification.

35. The system of claim 19 wherein said coinfguration settings are network configuration settings.

36. The system of claim 29 wherein said configuration settings are network configuration settings.

38. The computer program product of claim 37 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to obtain further comprises:

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to obtain a dictionary of scriptable commands; and

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to program a script using scriptable commands from said dictionary.

39. The computer program product of claim 37 wherein said scripting server is located on a remote computer.

40. The computer program product of claim 37 wherein said computer code configured to cause a computer to modify comprises:

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to parse said script;

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to forward commands contained in said script to a Scripting Plug-In; and

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to modify configuration settings using said Scripting Plug-In.

41. The computer program product of claim 37 wherein said computer code configured to cause a computer to modify comprises:

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to obtain a database of configuration settings; and

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to modify said configuration settings in said database;

42. The computer program product of claim 41 wherein said computer code configured to cause a computer to obtain a database of configuration settings in said database comprises:

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to retrieve configuration settings from existing files;

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to obtain a database capable of storing configuration information; and

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to store said configuration settings from said existing files into said database of configuration settings;

43. The computer program product of claim 42 wherein said computer code configured to cause a computer to modify said configuration settings further comprises:

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to determine if said existing files have been altered;

if said existing files have been altered, computer readable code configured to cause a computer to;

determine if said existing files support multiple configurations;

obtain a configuration in said database for each multiple configuration if said files support multiple configurations;

obtain a configuration in said database for said existing file'"'"'s configuration if said configuration does not support multiple configurations;

modify said configurations in said database.

44. The computer program product of claim 43 further comprising:

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to determine if said existing files support multiple configurations;

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to write said configurations from said database into said existing files if said existing files support multiple configurations; and

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to write a currently active configuration from said database to said existing file if said existing files do not support multiple configurations.

45. The computer program product of claim 44 further comprising:

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to capture a date stamp from said existing file;

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to record said date stamp in said database;

said computer code configured to cause a computer to determine if said configuration has been altered comprising computer readable code configured to cause a computer to compare said date stamp in said existing file to said recorded date stamp in said database.

46. The computer program product of claim 41 further comprising:

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to determine if other users were accessing said database; and

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to notify said other users of said modification.

48. The computer program product of claim 47 wherein said computer code configured to cause a computer to load comprises:

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to retrieve configuration settings from existing files; and

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to store said configuration settings from said existing files into said database of configuration settings;

49. The computer program product of claim 48 wherein said computer code configured to cause a computer to modify comprises:

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to determine if said existing files have been altered;

if said existing files have been altered, computer readable code configured to cause a computer to;

determine if said existing files support multiple configurations;

obtain a configuration in said database for each multiple configuration if said files support multiple configurations;

obtain a configuration in said database for said existing file'"'"'s configuration if said configuration does not support multiple configurations; and

modify said configurations in said database.

50. The computer program product of claim 49 further comprising:

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to determine if said existing files support multiple configurations;

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to write said configurations from said database into said existing files if said existing files support multiple configurations; and

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to write a currently active configuration from said database to said existing file if said existing files do not support multiple configurations.

51. The computer program product of claim 50 further comprising:

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to capture a date stamp from said existing file;

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to record said date stamp in said database;

said computer code configured to cause a computer to determine if said configuration has been altered step comprising computer readable code configured to cause a computer to compare said date stamp in said existing file to said recorded date stamp in said database.

52. The computer program product of claim 47 further comprising:

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to determine if other users were accessing said database; and

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to notify said other users of said modification.

53. The computer program product of claim 37 wherein said coinfguration settings are network configuration settings.

54. The computer program product of claim 47 wherein said configuration settings are network configuration settings.

19. A system comprising

a processor;

a memory coupled to said processor;

object code executed by said processor for providing at least one method for configuring a computer;

said object code comprising;

a method obtaining a script

a method launching said script on a scripting server; and

a method modifying configuration settings according to said script.

29. A system comprising

a processor;

a memory coupled to said processor;

object code executed by said processor for providing at least one method for configuring a computer;

said object code comprising;

a method obtaining a database;

a method loading said database with configuration settings; and

a method modifying said configuration settings in said database.

37. A computer program product comprising

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for configuring a computer, said computer program product comprising:

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to obtain a script;

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to launch said script on a scripting server; and

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to modify configuration settings according to said script.

47. A computer program product comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for configuring a computer, said computer program product comprising;

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to obtain a database;

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to load said database with configuration settings; and

computer readable code configured to cause a computer to modify said configuration settings in said database.

55. An apparatus for configuring a computer comprising:

means for obtaining a script;

means for launching said script on a scripting server; and

means for modifying configuration settings according to said script.

56. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said means for obtaining further comprises:

means for obtaining a dictionary of scriptable commands; and

means for programming a script using scriptable commands from said dictionary.

57. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said scripting server is located on a remote computer.

58. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said means for modifying comprises:

means for parsing said script;

means for forwarding commands contained in said script to a Scripting Plug-In; and

means for modifying configuration settings using said Scripting Plug-In.

59. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said means for modifying comprises:

means for obtaining a database of configuration settings; and

means for modifying said configuration settings in said database;

60. The method of claim 59 wherein said means for obtaining a database of configuration settings in said database comprises:

means for retrieving configuration settings from existing files;

means for obtaining a database capable of storing configuration information; and

means for storing said configuration settings from said existing files into said database of configuration settings;

61. The method of claim 60 wherein said means for modifying said configuration settings further comprises:

means for determining if said existing files have been altered;

means for determining if said existing files support multiple configurations if said existing files have been altered;

means for obtaining a configuration in said database for each multiple configuration if said files support multiple configurations;

means for obtaining a configuration in said database for said existing file'"'"'s configuration if said configuration does not support multiple configurations;

means for modifying said configurations in said database.

62. The apparatus of claim 61 further comprising:

means for determining if said existing files support multiple configurations;

means for writing said configurations from said database into said existing files if said existing files support multiple configurations; and

means for writing a currently active configuration from said database to said existing file if said existing files do not support multiple configurations.

63. The apparatus of claim 62 further comprising:

means for capturing a date stamp from said existing file;

means for recording said date stamp in said database;

said means for determining if said configuration has been altered comprising means for comparing said date stamp in said existing file to said recorded date stamp in said database.

64. The apparatus of claim 59 further comprising:

means for determining if other users were accessing said database; and

means for notifying said other users of said modification.

71. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said coinfguration settings are network configuration settings.

65. An apparatus for configuring a computer comprising:

means for obtaining a database;

means for loading said database with configuration settings; and

means for modifying said configuration settings in said database.

66. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein said means for loading comprises:

means for retrieving configuration settings from existing files; and

means for storing said configuration settings from said existing files into said database of configuration settings;

67. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said means for modifying comprises:

means for determining if said existing files have been altered;

means for determining if said existing files support multiple configurations if said existing files have been altered;

means for obtaining a configuration in said database for each multiple configuration if said files support multiple configurations;

means for obtaining a configuration in said database for said existing file'"'"'s configuration if said configuration does not support multiple configurations; and

means for modifying said configurations in said database.

68. The apparatus of claim 67 further comprising:

means for determining if said existing files support multiple configurations;

means for writing said configurations from said database into said existing files if said existing files support multiple configurations; and

means for writing a currently active configuration from said database to said existing file if said existing files do not support multiple configurations.

69. The apparatus of claim 68 further comprising:

means for capturing a date stamp from said existing file;

means for recording said date stamp in said database;

said means for determining if said configuration has been altered comprising means for comparing said date stamp in said existing file to said recorded date stamp in said database.

70. The apparatus of claim 65 further comprising:

means for determining if other users were accessing said database; and

means for notifying said other users of said modification.

72. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein said configuration settings are network configuration settings.