Method and apparatus for creating alternate boot environments in a computer
First Claim
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1. A method for creating alternate boot environments in a computer, comprising the steps of:
- (a) copying at least one software component from a first location on a first data storage device coupled to the computer to a second location on a second data storage device coupled to the computer;
(b) updating the software components in the second location on the second data storage device;
(c) booting the computer from the alternate boot environment by activating the updated software components at the second location on the second data storage device;
(d) terminating the booting step when the activated updated software components fail to operate correctly; and
(e) activating the software components at the first location on the first data storage device after the terminating step.
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Abstract
The present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for version migration and fallback of software components in a computer system. The invention creates alternate boot environments that preserve the state of all original software components on a system before performing a software upgrade. The invention virtually eliminates the risks of migrating to upgraded system because users can quickly fall back to a previous operating environment, without extended downtime during and after upgrades.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for creating alternate boot environments in a computer, comprising the steps of:
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(a) copying at least one software component from a first location on a first data storage device coupled to the computer to a second location on a second data storage device coupled to the computer; (b) updating the software components in the second location on the second data storage device; (c) booting the computer from the alternate boot environment by activating the updated software components at the second location on the second data storage device; (d) terminating the booting step when the activated updated software components fail to operate correctly; and (e) activating the software components at the first location on the first data storage device after the terminating step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for creating alternate boot environments in a computer, comprising:
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(a) means, performed by the computer, for copying at least one software component from a first location on a first data storage device coupled to the computer to a second location on a second data storage device coupled to the computer; (b) means, performed by the computer, for updating the software components in the second location on the second data storage device; (c) means, performed by the computer, for booting the computer from the alternate boot environment by activating the updated software components at the second location on the second data storage device; (d) means, performed by the computer, for terminating the booting step when the activated updated software components fail to operate correctly; and (e) means, performed by the computer, for activating the software components at the first location on the first data storage device after the terminating step. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An article of manufacture for creating alternate boot environments, comprising the steps of:
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(a) copying at least one software component from a first location on a first data storage device coupled to the computer to a second location on a second data storage device coupled to the computer;
(b) updating the software components in the second location on the second data storage device;(c) booting the computer from the alternate boot environment by activating the updated software components at the second location on the second data storage device; (d) terminating the booting step when the activated updated software components fail to operate correctly, and (e) activating the software components at the first location on the first data storage device after the terminating step. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification