Modular imaging of computer software for system install and restore
First Claim
1. A method for configuring a target computer system, the method comprising creating an image of a first plurality of software components;
- storing the image onto the target computer system;
determining additional software components to be stored onto the target computer system;
storing the additional software components by using a predefined module.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular approach to creating a software configuration and to allowing recovery of a configuration. Initial configuration tools can be applied or executed selectively and in different orders at a time of manufacture or shipping of a computer system. Foundation images and modules are stored in a flat directory structure, in one directory, with unique names to make management of, and access to, the images and modules more efficient. Records are used to identify image and module compatibility on specific hardware platforms, or sets (i.e., computer system hardware). In one embodiment a text format is used for the records and other database information to describe and define the images and modules. A hardware set is identified by an identification (ID) code. A recovery set of tools allows a user to selectively restore a system to an original configuration, or to restore selected modules or components. A graphical user interface is described along with facilities for starting and managing a recovery process, application recovery, and Compact Disk (CD)/Digital Video Disk (DVD) media creation from within the computer system'"'"'s operating system and to recover system and application files and modules; create recovery media and to remind a user to create recovery media.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for configuring a target computer system, the method comprising
creating an image of a first plurality of software components; -
storing the image onto the target computer system;
determining additional software components to be stored onto the target computer system;
storing the additional software components by using a predefined module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for configuring a target computer system, the apparatus comprising
a machine-readable medium including one or more instructions for creating an image of a first plurality of software components; -
one or more instructions for storing the image onto the target computer system;
one or more instructions for determining additional software components to be stored onto the target computer system; and
one or more instructions for storing the additional software components by using a predefined module.
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13. A machine-readable medium including
one or more instructions for creating an image of a first plurality of software components; -
one or more instructions for storing the image onto the target computer system;
one or more instructions for determining additional software components to be stored onto the target computer system; and
one or more instructions for storing the additional software components by using a predefined module.
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14. An apparatus for configuring a target computer system, the apparatus comprising
means for creating an image of a first plurality of software components; -
means for storing the image onto the target computer system;
means for determining additional software components to be stored onto the target computer system; and
means for storing the additional software components by using a predefined module.
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15. A method for recovering software components, the method comprising
installing at least a portion of a foundation image; -
selectively allowing a user to install a software component from a third-party installation medium; and
selectively allowing a user to install a software component from a secondary file. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification