Method and apparatus for automating software upgrades

• US 20030023963A1
• Filed: 07/25/2001
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Ewert, Clair L., Egan, Carol Ann, Olson-Williams, Lonny R., Fritsch, James R., Gressett, John David, Birkholz, Suellen Kae
• Granted Patent: US 7,055,149 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/172
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

Method and apparatus for upgrading a software on a customer system are provided. In one embodiment, a method for upgrading a software on a customer system comprises: receiving, by a supplier system, a software inventory from the customer system; verifying one or more business contracts for the software inventory utilizing one or more databases connected to the supplier system; and determining one or more software upgrade releases for the software inventory utilizing a product topology database connected to the supplier system.

Claims

1. A method for upgrading a software on a customer system, comprising:

receiving, by a supplier system, a software inventory from the customer system;

verifying one or more business contracts for the software inventory utilizing one or more databases connected to the supplier system; and

determining one or more software upgrade releases for the software inventory utilizing a product topology database connected to the supplier system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

displaying the one or more software upgrade releases for customer approval.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising,

forwarding an approved order to a fulfillment and distribution center.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

prompting one or more responses from a customer utilizing graphical user interfaces.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the software inventory is received after a software upgrade request.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the software inventory is received periodically.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein verifying one or more business contracts comprises validating subscription for one or more subscription software in the software inventory utilizing a subscription entitlement database.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein verifying one or more business contracts comprises verifying entitlement for one or more keyed software in the software inventory utilizing a keyed management system database.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining one or more software upgrade releases comprises mapping software releases in the software inventory to software upgrade releases.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining one or more software upgrade releases comprises:

filtering the software inventory;

categorizing the software inventory;

mapping software releases in the software inventory to software upgrade releases;

categorize software upgrade releases; and

generate an upgrade order.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining one or more software upgrade releases further comprises:

cross-referencing release-to-release product configurations for the software upgrade releases.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein determining one or more software upgrade releases further comprises:

verifying pre-requisite and co-requisite software for the software upgrade releases.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an order for additional software; and

verifying pre-requisite and co-requisite software for the additional software.

14. A system for upgrading a software on a customer system, comprising:

a supplier system configured to;

receive a software inventory from the customer system;

verify one or more business contracts for the software inventory utilizing one or more databases connected to the supplier system; and

determine one or more software upgrade releases for the software inventory utilizing a product topology database connected to the supplier system.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the supplier system comprises a software upgrade system having a software upgrade server connected to an interface server.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the supplier system further comprises a security mechanism connected to the software upgrade system, the security mechanism having connections to a network.

17. A signal bearing medium, comprising a program which, when executed by a processor, performs steps for upgrading a software on a customer system, comprising:

receiving, by a supplier system, a software inventory from the customer system;

verifying one or more business contracts for the software inventory utilizing one or more databases connected to the supplier system; and

determining one or more software upgrade releases for the software inventory utilizing a product topology database connected to the supplier system.

18. The signal bearing medium of claim 17, wherein the steps further comprises:

displaying the one or more software upgrade releases for customer approval.

19. The signal bearing medium of claim 18, wherein the steps further comprises:

forwarding an approved order to a fulfillment and distribution center.

20. The signal bearing medium of claim 18, wherein the steps further comprises:

prompting one or more responses from a customer utilizing graphical user interfaces.

21. The signal bearing medium of claim 17, wherein verifying one or more business contracts comprises validating subscription for one or more subscription software in the software inventory utilizing a subscription entitlement database.

22. The signal bearing medium of claim 17, wherein verifying one or more business contracts comprises verifying entitlement for one or more keyed software in the software inventory utilizing a keyed management system database.

23. The signal bearing medium of claim 17, wherein determining one or more software upgrade releases comprises mapping software releases in the software inventory to software upgrade releases.

24. The signal bearing medium of claim 17, wherein determining one or more software upgrade releases comprises:

filtering the software inventory;

categorizing the software inventory;

mapping software releases in the software inventory to software upgrade releases;

categorize software upgrade releases; and

generate an upgrade order.

25. The signal bearing medium of claim 24, wherein determining one or more software upgrade releases further comprises:

cross-referencing release-to-release product configurations for the software upgrade releases.

26. The signal bearing medium of claim 24, wherein determining one or more software upgrade releases further comprises:

verifying pre-requisite and co-requisite software for the software upgrade releases.