METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UPDATING A SOFTWARE IMAGE

• US 20110321030A1
• Filed: 09/22/2009
• Published: 12/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Rajan, Rajeswari, Kurth, Lars
• Application Number:
  US13/120,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20110321030A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/170
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/63 Image based installation; Cloning; Build to order
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A method and apparatus for updating the software image on a plurality of computing devices which comprises creating a simulated version of the software image of the devices in a changed format, altering the simulated version of the software image and copying the altered version back to the devices. The change of format typically obviates the need for human interaction during the update process.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

producing a simulated version of a software image for a first computing device on a second computing device;

altering said simulated version of said software image according to one or more installation instructions; and

installing said altered simulated version of said software image on a plurality of further computing devices, each being similar to said first computing device;

wherein,

producing said simulated version of said software image comprises changing a format of said software image.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein changing said format of said software image comprises changing access rights to said software image.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein changing said format of said software image comprises changing said format from a format which requires user interaction to operate said installation instructions to a format which does not require user interaction to operate said installation instructions.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein changing said format of said software image is carried out when said simulated version of said software image is produced on said second computing device.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said installation instructions correspond to instructions for installing software.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein said installation instructions correspond to a software installation package for installing said software.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein altering said simulated version of said software image comprises translating instructions issued by said software installation package into said installation instructions.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein altering said simulated version of said software image comprises translating instructions issued by one or more software installation packages.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein altering said simulated version of said software image according to one or more installation instructions comprises logging installation instructions for a plurality of applications having one or more dependencies and verifying said dependencies prior to altering said simulated version of said software image.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein verifying said dependencies comprises determining a set of dependent function collections for said applications and ensuring that said altered simulated version of said software image includes said set of dependent function collections.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein said dependent function collections are dynamic link libraries.

14. The method according to claim 1 wherein altering said simulated software image is carried out on said second computing device.

15. The method according to claim 1 wherein an operating system of said first computing device is different from an operating system of said second computing device.

20. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said installation instructions correspond to instructions for installing software. 21-22. Cancelled.

23. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein alter said simulated version of said software image comprises translating instructions issued by one or more software installation packages.

24. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein alter said simulated version of said software image according to one or more installation instructions comprises logging installation instructions for a plurality of applications having one or more dependencies and verifying said dependencies prior to alter said simulated version of said software image.

29. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein alter said simulated software image is carried out on said second computing device.

30. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein an operating system of said first computing device is different from an operating system of said second computing device.

12-13. -13. (canceled)

16. An apparatus comprising:

a processor,

memory including computer program code,

the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform;

produce a simulated version of a software image for a first computing device on a second computing device;

alter said simulated version of said software image according to one or more installation instructions; and

install said altered simulated version of said software image on a plurality of further computing devices, each being similar to said first computing device;

wherein,

produce said simulated version of said software image comprises changing a format of said software image.

17-19. -19. (canceled)

25-28. -28. (canceled)

31. A computer readable medium storing instructions, said instructions being such that when processed by a processor configure said processor to:

produce a simulated version of a software image for a first computing device on a second computing device;

alter said simulated version of said software image according to one or more installation instructions; and

install said altered simulated version of said software image on a plurality of further computing devices, each being similar to said first computing device;

wherein,

producing said simulated version of said software image comprises changing a format of said software image.

32-33. -33. (canceled)