System for installation of software on a remote computer system over a network using checksums and password protection

• US 5,881,236 A
• Filed: 04/26/1996
• Issued: 03/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Dickey, Conwell J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pan, Daniel H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROSSI, JEFFREY A
• Application Number:
  US08/639,160
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 395/200.5, 395/200.51, 395/200.52, 395/712
• US Class Current: 709/221
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/00 Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation

Abstract

A system to perform software on a remote computer system automatically over a network using a local computer system. The software being performed is placed on a storage device connected to the local computer. The local computer executes software that logs on to the remote computer as if the local computer were a remote terminal and sends a command to the remote computer to cause it to connect to the storage device through the network. The local computer then sends commands to the remote computer to cause the remote computer to perform the software located on the storage device. Each software program run on the remote computer examines the remote computer to determine the type of software that is running on the remote computer and selects the software being executed to be compatible with the software on the remote computer.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for remotely executing software from a local computer system to a remote computer system through a computer network, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving data, on the local computer system, to select the remote computer system from one of a plurality of potential remote computer systems;

(b) connecting the local computer system to the remote computer system, wherein the local computer system operates as a remote terminal of the remote computer system;

(c) connecting a storage device on the local computer system as a storage device on the remote computer system, wherein the storage device contains the software to be executed on the remote computer system;

(d) performing, within the remote computer system, a program to compute a checksum value for each software program on said storage device, wherein said program sends the checksum value to the local computer system;

(e) comparing, within the local computer system, each checksum value to a checksum value stored within the local computer system; and

(f) performing, on the remote computer system, the software stored on the storage device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises receiving a password comprising the steps of:

(a1) displaying a screen location for entry of a password;

(a2) receiving characters of a password while not displaying any characters received;

(a3) displaying a clear password button;

(a4) disabling said clear password button until at least one character of a password has been received;

(a5) after at least one character has been received, enabling said clear password button; and

(a6) if all of said characters of said password are removed, disabling said clear password button.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) further comprises the steps of:

(d1) determining a type of software contained in said remote computer system; and

(d2) selecting a set of software, from at least two sets of software on said installation device, wherein said selected set of software matches said type of software determined in step (d1).

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the checksum stored within the local computer system is further stored within the software executing within the local computer system.

5. A computer implemented method for installing software from a local computer system to a target computer system through a computer network, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving data to select the target computer system from one of a plurality of potential target computer systems;

(b) connecting the local computer system to the target computer system, wherein the local computer system operates as a remote terminal of the target computer system;

(c) connecting a storage device, containing the software to be installed, on the local computer system as a storage device on the target computer system;

(d) performing, within the target computer system, a program to compute a checksum value for each installation program on said storage device, wherein said program sends the checksum value to the local computer system;

(e) comparing, within the local computer system, each checksum value to a checksum value stored within the local computer system; and

(f) performing, on the target computer system, one or more installation programs stored on the storage device to perform the installation.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein step (a) further comprises receiving a password comprising the steps of:

(a1) displaying a screen location for entry of a password;

(a2) receiving characters of a password while not displaying any characters received;

(a3) displaying a clear password button;

(a4) disabling said clear password button until at least one character of a password has been received;

(a5) after at least one character has been received, enabling said clear password button; and

(a6) if all of said characters of a password are removed, disabling said clear password button.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein step (d) further comprises the steps of:

(d1) determining a type of operating system software contained in said target computer system; and

(d2) selecting a set of software for installation, from at least two sets of software on said storage device, wherein said selected set of software matches said type of operating system software determined in step (d1).

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the checksum stored within the local computer system is further stored within the software executing within the local computer system.

9. A computer implemented method for remotely executing software from a local computer system to a remote computer system through a computer network, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving data, on the local computer system, to select the remote computer system from one of a plurality of potential remote computer systems;

(b) displaying a screen location for entry of a password;

(c) receiving characters of a password while not displaying any characters received;

(d) displaying a clear password button;

(e) disabling said clear password button until at least one character of said password has been received;

(f) after at least one character of said password has been received, enabling said clear password button, enabling said clear password button, wherein said enabling provides a visual indication that at least one character has been received;

(g) if all of said characters of said password are removed, disabling said clear password button, wherein said disabling provides a visual indication that all characters have been removed;

(h) if said password received in steps (b) through (g) is correct, performing the following steps (i) through (k);

(i) connecting the local computer system to the remote computer system, wherein the local computer system operates as a remote terminal of the remote computer system;

(j) connecting a storage device on the local computer system as a storage device on the remote computer system, wherein the storage device contains the software to be executed on the remote computer system; and

(k) performing, on the remote computer system, the software stored on the storage device.

10. A computer implemented method for installing software from a local computer system to a target computer system through a computer network, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving data to select the target computer system from one of a plurality of potential target computer systems;

(b) displaying a screen location for entry of a password;

(c) receiving characters of a password while not displaying any characters received;

(d) displaying a clear password button;

(e) disabling said clear password button until at least one character of said password has been received;

(f) after at least one character of said password has been received, enabling said clear password button, wherein said enabling provides a visual indication that at least one character has been received;

(g) if all of said characters of said password are removed, disabling said clear password button, wherein said disabling provides a visual indication that all characters have been removed;

(h) if said password received in steps (b) through (g) is correct, performing the following steps (i) through (k);

(i) connecting the local computer system to the target computer system, wherein the local computer system operates as a remote terminal of the target computer system;

(j) connecting a storage device, containing the software to be installed, on the local computer system as a storage device on the target computer system; and

(k) performing, on the target computer system, one or more installation programs stored on the storage device to perform the installation.