Method and system for performing computer system cloning

• US 20030018759A1
• Filed: 07/17/2001
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Baumann, Warren John
• Application Number:
  US09/906,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20030018759A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/221
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/63 Image based installation; Cloning; Build to order
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a method and system for performing computer system cloning. A program on a client system requests a system image and a system customization from a server system. Space requirements are received from the server system and then the client system uses these space requirements to set up temporary storage space. An image file corresponding to the system image that was requested is then received from the server system and stored in the temporary storage space. The client system then recreates the system image from the image files. The image files are then deleted from the temporary storage space on the client system. A customization file corresponding to the requested system customization is then received from the server system and stored in the temporary storage space on the client system. The customization file is applied to the system image on the client system and then the temporary storage space is deleted. Additional embodiments include a system and storage medium for performing computer system cloning.

Claims

1. A method for performing computer system cloning, said method comprising:

requesting a system image and a system customization from a server, wherein said requesting is initiated by a client system;

receiving space requirements for said system image and said system customization from said server;

creating temporary storage space on said client system based on said space requirements;

receiving an image file from said server, said receiving including storing said image file in said temporary storage space on said client system, and said image file corresponding to said requested system image;

recreating said system image on said client system in response to said image file;

deleting said image file from said temporary storage space;

receiving a customization file from said server, said receiving including storing said customization file in said temporary storage space on said client system, and said customization file corresponding to said requested system customization;

applying said customization file to said system image on said client system; and

deleting said temporary storage space on said client system.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said system customization includes site specific computer settings.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said system customization includes business unit specific computer settings.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a menu of options from said server in response to a request from said client system.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a recommended system image and system customization from said server in response to a request from said client system.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said recreating is performed using a cloning tool.

7. A system for performing computer system cloning, said system comprising:

a client system in communication with said network, said client system implementing a process comprising;

requesting a system image and a system customization from a server, wherein said requesting is initiated by a client system;

receiving space requirements for said system image and said system customization from said server;

creating temporary storage space on said client system based on said space requirements;

receiving an image file from said server, said receiving including storing said image file in said temporary storage space on said client system, and said image file corresponding to said requested system image;

recreating said system image on said client system in response to said image file;

deleting said image file from said temporary storage space;

receiving a customization file from said server, said receiving including storing said customization file in said temporary storage space on said client system, and said customization file corresponding to said requested system customization;

applying said customization file to said system image on said client system; and

deleting said temporary storage space on said client system.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said system customization includes site specific computer settings.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said system customization includes business unit specific computer settings.

10. The system of claim 7 further comprising:

receiving a menu of options from said server in response to a request from said client system.

11. The system of claim 7 further comprising:

receiving a recommended system image and system customization from said server in response to a request from said client system.

12. The system of claim 7 wherein said recreating is performed using a cloning tool.

13. The system of claim 7 wherein said network is a WAN.

14. The system of claim 7 wherein said network is the Internet.

15. The system of claim 7 wherein said network is an Intranet.

16. The system of claim 7 wherein said network communicates using TCP/IP.

18. The storage medium of claim 17 wherein said system customization includes site specific computer settings.

19. The storage medium of claim 17 wherein said system customization includes business unit specific computer settings.

20. The storage medium of claim 17 further comprising instructions for causing the client system to implement:

receiving a menu of options from said server in response to a request from said client system.

21. The storage medium of claim 17 further comprising instructions for causing the client system to implement:

receiving a recommended system image and system customization from said server in response to a request from said client system.

22. The storage medium of claim 17 wherein said recreating is performed using a cloning tool.

17. A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code for performing computer system cloning, the storage medium storing instructions for causing a client system to implement a method comprising:

requesting a system image and a system customization from a server, wherein said requesting is initiated by a client system;

receiving space requirements for said system image and said system customization from said server;

creating temporary storage space on said client system based on said space requirements;

receiving an image file from said server, said receiving including storing said image file in said temporary storage space on said client system, and said image file corresponding to said requested system image;

recreating said system image on said client system in response to said image file;

deleting said image file from said temporary storage space;

receiving a customization file from said server, said receiving including storing said customization file in said temporary storage space on said client system, and said customization file corresponding to said requested system customization;

applying said customization file to said system image on said client system; and

deleting said temporary storage space on said client system.