Upgrading a device over a network

• US 20050144614A1
• Filed: 11/30/2004
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Bateman, Steven S., Moslander, Joseph P.
• Application Number:
  US11/000,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20050144614A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99954 Version management

Abstract

Upgrading a device over a network includes receiving a configurable script file, the script file containing data and commands, identifying a target device on a network using the data, and upgrading the target device using the commands. The script file is downloaded from a network device along with a computer program. The computer program is run to execute the commands and upgrade the device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a configurable script file, the script file containing data and commands;

identifying a target device on a network using the data; and

upgrading the target device using the commands.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein upgrading comprises upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

receiving comprises downloading the script file from a network device along with a computer program; and

upgrading comprises running the computer program to execute the commands.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the commands comprise instructions for upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein:

the script file contains graphics data; and

the method further comprises generating a user interface using the graphics data, the user interface providing information for devices on the network that correspond to the data in the script file, the devices including the target device.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

selecting upgrading for the target device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying comprises:

issuing a query over the network for devices that correspond to the data in the script file; and

receiving a response to the query from the target device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the response comprises a code that identifies the target device as corresponding to the data in the script file.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a connection with the target device prior to upgrading the device;

storing information for establishing the connection; and

re-establishing the connection with the target device using the stored information after the device is upgraded.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining a log file that contains a record of the upgrading process.

11. An article comprising:

a readable medium that stores executable instructions that cause a machine to;

receive a configurable script file, the script file containing data and commands;

identify a target device on a network using the data; and

upgrade the target device using the commands.

12. The article of claim 11, wherein upgrading comprises upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.

13. The article of claim 11, wherein:

receiving comprises downloading the script file from a network device along with a computer program; and

upgrading comprises running the computer program to execute the commands.

14. The article of claim 13, wherein the commands comprise instructions for upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.

15. The article of claim 13, wherein:

the script file contains graphics data; and

the article further comprises instructions to generate a user interface using the graphics data, the user interface providing information for devices on the network that correspond to the data in the script file, the devices including the target device.

16. The article of claim 15, further comprising instructions that cause the machine to:

select upgrading for the target device.

17. The article of claim 11, wherein identifying comprises:

issuing a query over the network for devices that correspond to the data in the script file; and

receiving a response to the query from the target device.

18. The article of claim 17, wherein the response comprises a code that identifies the target device as corresponding to the data in the script file.

19. The article of claim 11, further comprising instructions that cause the machine to:

establish a connection with the target device prior to upgrading the device;

store information for establishing the connection; and

re-establish the connection with the target device using the stored information after the device is upgraded.

20. The article of claim 11, further comprising instructions that cause the machine to:

maintain a log file that contains a record of the upgrading process.

21. An apparatus comprising:

a memory that stores executable instructions; and

a processor that executes the instructions to;

receive a configurable script file, the script file containing data and commands;

identify a target device on a network using the data; and

upgrade the target device using the commands.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein upgrading comprises upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein:

receiving comprises downloading the script file from a network device along with a computer program; and

upgrading comprises running the computer program to execute the commands.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the commands comprise instructions for upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein:

the script file contains graphics data; and

the processor executes instructions to generate a user interface using the graphics data, the user interface providing information for devices on the network that correspond to the data in the script file, the devices including the target device.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the processor executes instructions to:

select upgrading for the target device.

27. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein identifying comprises:

issuing a query over the network for devices that correspond to the data in the script file; and

receiving a response to the query from the target device.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the response comprises a code that identifies the target device as corresponding to the data in the script file.

29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processor executes instructions to:

establish a connection with the target device prior to upgrading the device;

store information for establishing the connection; and

re-establish the connection with the target device using the stored information after the device is upgraded.

30. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processor executes instructions to:

maintain a log file that contains a record of the upgrading process.