Host build and rebuild system and method

• US 20070113066A1
• Filed: 09/26/2006
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Morgan Stanley Services Group Inc. (Morgan Stanley)
• Original Assignee: Morgan Stanley
• Inventors: Samba, Basiru, Kozlowski, Robert, Tanyeri, Erdim, Thompson, Rodrigues, Feltman, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,774,588 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files

Abstract

Methods of building a host computer system. The methods may comprise the steps of discovering hardware components present at the host and determining whether the hardware components are certified. The methods may also comprise the step of determining whether a build of the host is requested. According to various embodiments, a profile may also be downloaded to the host. The profile may comprise an indication of an operating system, an indication of an application, and an indication of a configuration parameter. The methods may also comprise the steps of installing the operating system to the host; installing the application to the host; and configuring the host according to the configuration parameter.

Claims

1. A method of building a host computer system, the method comprising:

discovering hardware components present at the host;

determining whether the hardware components are certified;

determining whether a build of the host is requested;

downloading a profile to the host, wherein the profile comprises an indication of an operating system, an indication of an application, and an indication of a configuration parameter;

installing the operating system to the host;

installing the application to the host; and

configuring the host according to the configuration parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising loading a microkernel to the host.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a mini-operating system for the host and loading the mini-operating system to the host.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising booting the host according to a Preboot Execution Environment (PXE).

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising booting the host from a storage device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising scheduling the build at a first predetermined time.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising loading a runtime to the host, wherein the runtime is configured to call at least one of the group consisting of:

a script that when executed by the host, causes the host to determine the hardware components present at the host;

a script that when executed by the host, causes the host to determine whether the hardware components are certified; and

a script that when executed by the host, causes the host to determine whether the build of the host is requested.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein installing the operating system to the host comprises:

creating a configuration file;

creating a source tree;

disclosing the location of the configuration file and the source tree to an operating system utility;

allowing the operating system utility to install the operating system.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein installing the operating system to the host comprises:

downloading an image to the host, wherein the image comprises an image of the operating system;

preparing the image for the host; and

installing the image to the host, wherein installing the image to the host comprises an operating system utility installing the operating system from the image.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the image also comprises an image of the application.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the hardware components are certified comprises determining whether each of the hardware components has been certified for use on the host.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the hardware components are certified comprises determining whether the hardware components are certified for use with each other.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration parameter comprises a setting of the operating system based on a geographic location of the host.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising installing a safeguard application having functionality for removing undesired system changes.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration parameter comprises an intended use for the host.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the host comprises configuring a look and feel of the at least one application.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a status message to a system administrator when the build reaches a first predetermined status.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising sending a second status message to the system administrator when the build reaches a second predetermined status.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising sending a third status message to the system administrator when the build reaches a second predetermined status.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first predetermined status occurs at the beginning of the build and wherein the second predetermined status occurs at the end of the build.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising periodically checking for changes to the profile;

and if an updated profile exists, updating the host according to the updated profile.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the profile incorporates a user personality derived from a second host.

23. A system for building a host computer system, the system comprising:

a host computer system;

at least one database in communication with the host computer system, wherein the at least one database comprises a profile, and wherein the profile comprises;

an indication of an operating system;

a configuration parameter;

an indication of an application; and

wherein the at least one database further comprises a runtime that when executed by the host, causes the host to install the operating system, the at least one regional setting and configure according to the configuration parameter.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the configuration parameter comprises at least one regional setting.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the at least one database is in communication with the host computer system via an interface.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the runtime, when executed by the host, also causes the host to:

discover hardware components present at the host; and

determine whether the hardware components are certified.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the runtime, when executed by the host, also causes the host to determine whether a build of the host is requested.

28. The system of claim 23, wherein the at least one database further comprises a copy of the operating system, and a copy of the at least one application.

29. A method of certifying a first computer hardware component, the method comprising:

providing a user interface;

receiving a request for certification through the interface, wherein the request for certification comprises a description of the first computer hardware component;

testing an example of the first computer hardware component;

providing a status of the testing in the user interface; and

certifying the first computer hardware component if it meets at least one predetermined standard.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the testing comprises testing the first computer hardware component for compatibility with at least a second computer hardware component.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the request for certification also comprises an indication of an operating system.