Processing distribution using instant copy

• US 20030217131A1
• Filed: 05/17/2002
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Storage Technology Corp (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Storage Technology Corp (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Ledbetter, Scott E., Hodge, Leslie K.
• Application Number:
  US10/147,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20030217131A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/63 Image based installation; Cloning; Build to order

Abstract

The present invention provides a software-based solution for deploying virtual servers in a computer network. The method is initiated when an end user requesting a new virtual server clicks a hyperlink in which an imbedded command sequence requests the software to deploy a new virtual server. The software automatically updates the hypervisor environment to include the new virtual server, prepares the new virtual server disk allocations, propagates a server model image into the new virtual server, updates the new image with local identification parameters, and then boots the new virtual server.

Claims

1. A method for deploying a virtual server, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving a request for deployment of the virtual server;

automatically allocating storage media for the virtual server;

automatically copying a predefined model system image into the virtual server; and

automatically booting the virtual server.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the request for deploying the virtual server further comprises definition criteria including:

a pool of possible TCP/IP addresses for the virtual server;

a pool of possible names for the virtual server; and

the model system image that is used for the creation and deployment of the virtual server.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising automatically updating a virtual machine system directory to include the virtual server.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising automatically updating the image of the virtual server with local identification parameters.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the model system image contains a deployment script that is executed in the virtual server to facilitate unique identification of the virtual server.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of allocating storage media for use by the virtual server is performed by an instant format function.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of copying the model system image to the virtual server is performed by an instant copy function.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the virtual server runs on a mainframe computer.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the mainframe uses Virtual Machine operating system.

10. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for use in a data processing system, for deploying a virtual server, the computer program product comprising:

instructions for receiving a request for deployment of the virtual server;

instructions for automatically allocating storage media for the virtual server;

instructions for automatically copying a predefined model system image into the virtual server; and

instructions for automatically booting the virtual server.

11. The computer program product according to claim 10, wherein the request for deploying the virtual server further comprises definition criteria including:

a pool of possible TCP/IP addresses for the virtual server;

a pool of possible names for the virtual server; and

the model system image that is used for the creation and deployment of the virtual server.

12. The computer program product according to claim 10, further comprising instructions for automatically updating a virtual machine system directory to include the virtual server.

13. The computer program product according to claim 10, further comprising instructions for automatically updating the image of the virtual server with local identification parameters.

14. The computer program product according to claim 10, wherein the model system image contains a deployment script that is executed in the virtual server to facilitate unique identification of the virtual server.

15. The computer program product according to claim 10, wherein the step of allocating storage media for use by the virtual server is performed by an instant format function.

16. The computer program product according to claim 10, wherein the step of copying the model system image to the virtual server is performed by an instant copy function.

17. The computer program product according to claim 10, wherein the virtual server runs under a Virtual Machine operating system.

18. A system for deploying a virtual server, the system comprising:

a means for receiving a request for deployment of the virtual server;

a means for automatically allocating storage media for the virtual server;

a means for automatically copying a predefined model system image into the virtual server; and

a means for automatically booting the virtual server.

19. The system according to claim 18, further comprising a means for automatically updating a virtual machine system directory to include the virtual server.

20. The system according to claim 18, further comprising a means for automatically updating the image of the virtual server with local identification parameters.

21. The system according to claim 18, wherein the means for allocating storage media for use by the virtual server further comprises an instant format function.

22. The system according to claim 18, wherein the means for copying the model system image to the virtual server further comprises an instant copy function.

23. The system according to claim 18, wherein the virtual server runs on a mainframe computer.