System, apparatus, and method to configure a server in the field

• US 20030046372A1
• Filed: 08/31/2001
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Traxler, Jonathan M.
• Application Number:
  US09/945,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20030046372A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/220
• 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 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and system in which a first server restores a digital image to a second server after the initial payload has been installed. Response logic associated with the first server responds to a broadcast request of the second server to restore the digital image. A network circuit associated with the first server transmits the digital image over a network connection.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a first server to restore a digital image to a second server after the initial payload has been installed, wherein the digital image is a file that contains a replica of the content of the second server;

a network circuit associated with the first server, the network circuit to transmit the digital image over a network connection to the second server; and

response logic associated with the first server, the response logic to respond to a broadcast request of the second server to restore the digital image.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a computer readable media associated with the first server, the computer readable media to store the digital image associated with the second server;

the computer readable media partitioned to store multiple digital images.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the digital image associated with the second server possesses files added to the payload after the initial payload.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a computer readable media associated with the first server, the computer readable media to store digital imaging software to modify a digital image, the digital imaging software scripted to communicate in a protocol that a server could understand.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein modify comprises rebuild.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a web-viewing tool having a graphical user interface to add additional software files into an existing digital.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second server can remotely pull the digital image from the first server.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a specific signature to allow a digital image to be modified is embedded on a chip in the first server.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first server is a cobalt appliance.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an optical device coupled to the first server.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the optical drive to produce a digital image on a portable computer readable media.

12. A method, comprising:

restoring a digital image to a server after the initial payload has been installed;

transmitting the digital image over a network connection; and

responding to a broadcast request of the server to restore the digital image.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein restoring comprises rebuilding.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

storing two or more digital images on a partitioned memory.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

producing the digital image on one or more portable computer readable media.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

means for restoring a digital image to a server after the initial payload has been installed;

means for transmitting the digital image over a network connection; and

means for responding to a broadcast request of the server to restore the digital image.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

means for storing two or more digital images on a partitioned memory.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

means for producing the digital image on one or more portable computer readable media.