Role based server installation and configuration

• US 20060218548A1
• Filed: 03/25/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: MacIntyre, John, Pletcher, Richard A., Laing, William A., Mason, Andrew T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,793,284 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/20 Software design
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/447 Target code generation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/62 Uninstallation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/71 Version control security arrangements therefor G06F21/57; Configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play

Abstract

The described systems and methods are directed at configuring a server based on a selected role. An installation application is configured to install core components in a server where these core components enable the server to perform the basic functions of a network computing device. A role management application is configured to enable a system administrator to select a role for the server and to automatically determine software components associated with the selected role. The role management application is then configured to build the software components and install the components on the server. The role management application is further configured to configure the components for the selected role. The automated installation process performed by the role management application enables a server to be efficiently configured for a particular role without installing other unnecessary components unrelated to the role.

Claims

1. One or more device-readable media encoded with device-readable instructions including steps comprising:

installing core components in a server, the core components providing functionalities for the server to act as an operational computing device;

receiving a selection to configure the server for a role;

automatically identifying software components corresponding to the role;

building the software components from codes;

installing the software components in the server; and

configuring the software components to perform the role.

2. The one or more device-readable media as recited in claim 1, the steps further comprising:

receiving selections of the software components associated with the selected role; and

installing only the selected software components.

3. The one or more device-readable media as recited in claim 1, the steps further comprising:

receiving selections of preferences associated with the selected role; and

configuring the software components associated with the selected role in accordance with the selected preferences.

4. The one or more device-readable media as recited in claim 1, the steps further comprising:

determining a manifest associated with the selected role, the manifest including information about the software components corresponding the selected role; and

identifying the codes based, at least in part, on the information included in the manifest.

5. The one or more device-readable media as recited in claim 4, the steps further comprising building and configuring the software components based, at least in part, on the information included in the manifest.

6. The one or more device-readable media as recited in claim 1, the steps further comprising:

creating identifiers indicating the selected role and the installed software components associated with the selected role; and

including the identifiers in a program registry in the server.

7. The one or more device-readable media as recited in claim 1, the steps further comprising:

identifying applications in the server that will be affected by installing the software components associated with the selected role; and

providing a notification about the identified applications prior to installing the software components.

8. The one or more device-readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the role includes at least one of file service, print service, directory service, domain name service (DNS), dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) service, update services, Sharepoint, application service, web server, terminal service, media server, remote authentication dial-in user service (RADIUS), application gateway, virtual private network (VPN) service, certificate service, active directory, federation service, universal description, discovery and integration (UDDI), Active Directory, Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) or rights management service.

9. A computing device configured to read the one or more device-readable media and to perform the steps as recited in claim 1.

10. One or more device-readable media encoded with device-readable instructions including steps, comprising:

identifying a role installed on a server;

receiving a selection to modify the role;

determining software components associated with the role; and

modifying the software components associated with the role in accordance with the selection.

11. The one or more device-readable media as recited in claim 10, the steps further comprising:

determining keys associated with installed roles in a registry in the server; and

identifying the role based, at least in part, on the determined keys.

12. The one or more device-readable media as recited in claim 10, the steps further comprising:

identifying keys associated with the modified role in a registry; and

updating the keys to account for the modification.

13. The one or more device-readable media as recited in claim 10, wherein modifying the role includes at least one of uninstalling the role or reconfiguring the role.

14. The one or more device-readable media as recited in claim 10, wherein the role includes at least one of file service, print service, directory service, domain name service (DNS), dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) service, update services, Sharepoint, application service, web server, terminal service, media server, remote authentication dial-in user service (RADIUS), application gateway, virtual private network (VPN) service, certificate service, active directory, federation service, universal description, discovery and integration (UDDI), Active Directory, Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) or rights management service.

15. A computing device configured to read the one or more device-readable media and to perform the steps as recited in claim 10.

16. A system for configuring a server, comprising:

means for installing core components on the server;

means for identifying a selection of a role for the server;

means for determining software components associated with the selected role based, at least in part, on information in a manifest associated with the selected role;

means for building the software components from codes;

means for installing the software components on the server; and

means for configuring the software components in accordance with the selected role.

17. The system as recited in claim 16, further comprising means for identifying the role and the associated software components using at least one of a registry or a role API call.

18. The system as recited in claim 16, further comprising;

means for identifying applications that will be affected by installing the software components associated with the role; and

means for providing a notification about the identified applications.

19. The system as recited in claim 16, further comprising:

means for determining to modify the role after installation; and

means for identifying the software components associated with the role from information using at least one of a registry or a role API call.

20. The system as recited in claim 16, further comprising means for configuring the server for the selected role without installing other software components that are unrelated to the role.

21. The system as recited in claim 16, further comprising:

means for identifying another role for removal; and

means for automatically identifying and uninstalling software components that are unrelated to the other identified role.

22. The system as recited in claim 16, further comprising means for determining whether prerequisite components are installed on the server prior to installing the software components corresponding to the role.