Integrated rapid install system for generic software images

• US 20050055688A1
• Filed: 09/08/2003
• Published: 03/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Barajas, Gaston M., Smith, Gavin T., Vrhel, Thomas Jr., Hyden, William P.
• Application Number:
  US10/657,374
• Publication Number:
  US 20050055688A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/63 Image based installation; Cloning; Build to order

Abstract

A method for automatically installing a software image onto an information handling system. The method includes reading an order for an information handling system, reading an image manifest, installing an image specified by the image manifest onto the information handing system as installed software, and automatically configuring the installed software.

Claims

1. A method for automatically installing a software image onto an information handling system, the method comprising:

reading an order for an information handling system;

reading an image manifest;

installing an image specified by the image manifest onto the information handing system as installed software; and

automatically configuring the installed software.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuring includes:

executing order specific customizations.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether all base components of the order are present in the image.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether any subtract components are present in the image; and

,

if any subtract components are present, then removing the subtract components from the installed software while automatically configuring the installed software.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether any add components are present in the image; and

,

if any add components are present, then installing the add components from the specified image contents.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the automatically configuring is performed at a manufacturing site.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the automatically configuring is performed at a customer site.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the automatically configuring enables the installing to be performed in a networkless factory environment.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the automatically configuring enables loading of an image directly from a non-volatile media.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the automatically configuring enables a customized to order process to be performed in a remote manufacturing facility.

11. A apparatus for automatically installing a software image onto an information handling apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

means for reading an order for an information handling system;

means for reading an image manifest;

means for installing an image specified by the image manifest onto the information handing system as installed software; and

means for automatically configuring the installed software.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for configuring includes:

means for executing order specific customizations.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

means for determining whether all base components of the order are present in the image.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

means for determining whether any subtract components are present in the image; and

,

means for removing the subtract components from the installed software while automatically configuring the installed software when any subtract components are present.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

means for determining whether any add components are present in the image; and

,

means for installing the add components from the specified image contents when any add components are present.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the means for automatically configuring is located at a manufacturing site.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the means for automatically configuring stored within the information handling system and is executed at a customer site.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the means for automatically configuring enables the installing to be performed in a networkless factory environment.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the means for automatically configuring enables loading of an image directly from a non-volatile media.

20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the automatically configuring enables a customized to order process to be performed in a remote manufacturing facility.

21. A system for automatically installing a software image onto an information handling system, the system comprising:

a reading module, the reading module reading an order for an information handling system;

an image manifest module, the image manifest module reading an image manifest;

an installing module, the installing module installing an image specified by the image manifest onto the information handing system as installed software; and

a configuring module, the configuring module automatically configuring the installed software.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the configuring module includes:

an executing module, the executing module executing order specific customizations.

23. The system of claim 21, further comprising:

a base component determining module, the base component determining module determining whether all base components of the order are present in the image.

24. The system of claim 21, further comprising:

a subtract component determining module, the subtract component determining module determining whether any subtract components are present in the image; and

,

a removing module, the removing module removing the subtract components from the installed software while automatically configuring the installed software when any subtract components are present.

25. The system of claim 21, further comprising:

an add component determining module, the add component determining module determining whether any add components are present in the image; and

,

an installing module, the installing module installing the add components from the specified image contents when any add components are present.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein:

the configuring module is located at a manufacturing site.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein:

the configuring module is stored within the information handling system and is executed at a customer site.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein:

the configuring module enables the installing to be performed in a networkless factory environment.

29. The system of claim 21, wherein:

the configuring module enables loading of an image directly from a non-volatile media.

30. The system of claim 21, wherein:

the configuring module enables a customized to order process to be performed in a remote manufacturing facility.