Software installation and testing for a build-to-order computer system

• US 5,991,543 A
• Filed: 08/29/1997
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Brundridge, Michael A., Amberg, Richard D., Wong, Roger W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafiz, Tariq R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sattizahn, Brian
• Application Number:
  US08/920,773
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 395/651, 395/652, 395/712, 713/1, 713/2
• US Class Current: 717/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/28 by checking the correct order of processing G06F11/08 - G06F11/26 take precedence; monitoring patterns of pulse trains H03K5/19
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/63 Image based installation; Cloning; Build to order

Abstract

A method for installing and/or testing software for a build-to-order computer system having a plurality of components includes a plurality of elements. The computer system has an associated step sequence. The step sequence includes a plurality of steps where each step includes at least one command and a step is associated with a respective component descriptor. A component descriptor corresponds to a respective component of the computer system. The method includes accessing a command within the step sequence; creating a file including a start of execution indication; executing the command; deleting the file including the start of execution indication when the command completes execution; and repeating the accessing, creating, executing and deleting for the plurality of steps.

Claims

1. A method of software installation for a computer system having a plurality of components, the computer system having an associated step sequence, the step sequence including a plurality of steps, each step including at least one command, a step being associated with a respective component descriptor, a component descriptor corresponding to a respective component of the computer system, the method comprising:

accessing a command within the step sequence;

creating a file including a start of execution indication;

executing the command;

deleting the file including the start of execution indication when the command completes execution; and

repeating the accessing, creating, executing and deleting for the plurality of steps.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining whether the file including the start of execution indication is present prior to accessing the command within the step sequence; and

determining that an error condition is present if the file including the start of execution indication is present.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

asking an operator whether the operator wishes to continue with the software installation when the error condition is present; and

executing the command if the operator wishes to continue with the software installation.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

asking an operator whether the operator wishes to transfer to a troubleshooting mode of operation when the error condition is present; and

transferring to a troubleshooting mode of operation if the operator so wishes.

5. A method of software installation of a computer system having a plurality of components, the computer system having an associated step sequence, the step sequence including a plurality of steps, each step including at least one command, a step being associated with a respective component descriptor, a component descriptor corresponding to a respective component of the computer system, the method comprising:

reading a first command from the step sequence;

embedding login instructions into first and second batch files to login to a network if the first command is located on a file server connected to the network in communication with the computer system;

removing network login instructions from the first and second batch files if the first command is located on a local drive of the target system;

embedding the first command into the first and second batch files;

running the first batch file to execute the first command upon the computer system;

removing the second batch file upon successful completion of the first command; and

reading a second command from the step sequence if the second batch file has been removed.

6. A method of software testing for a computer system having a plurality of components, the computer system having an associated step sequence, the step sequence including a plurality of steps, each step including at least one command, a step being associated with a respective component descriptor, a component descriptor corresponding to a respective component of the computer system, the method comprising:

accessing a command within the step sequence;

creating a file including a start of execution indication;

executing the command;

deleting the file including the start of execution indication when the command completes execution; and

repeating the accessing, creating, executing and deleting for the plurality of steps.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

determining whether the file including the start of execution indication is present prior to accessing the command within the step sequence; and

determining that an error condition is present if the file including the start of execution indication is present.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

asking an operator whether the operator wishes to continue with the software testing when the error condition is present; and

executing the command if the operator wishes to continue with the software testing.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

asking an operator whether the operator wishes to transfer to a troubleshooting mode of operation when the error condition is present; and

transferring to a troubleshooting mode of operation if the operator so wishes.

10. A method of software installation for a computer system having a plurality of components, the computer system having an associated step sequence, the step sequence including a plurality of steps, each step including at least one command, a step being associated with a respective component descriptor, a component descriptor corresponding to a respective component of the computer system, the method comprising:

reading a first command from the step sequence;

embedding login instructions into first and second batch files to login to a network if the first command is located on a file server connected to the network in communication with the computer system;

removing network login instructions from the first and second batch files if the first command is located on a local drive of the target system;

embedding the first command into the first and second batch files;

running the first batch file to execute the first command upon the computer system;

removing the second batch file upon successful completion of the first command; and

reading a second command from the step sequence if the second batch file has been removed.

11. A computer system comprising:

a processor;

a component coupled to the processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including software installed thereon, the software being installed by;

accessing a software installation command within a step sequence having a plurality of steps;

creating a file including a start of execution indication;

executing the command;

deleting the file including the start of execution indication when the command completes execution; and

repeating the accessing, creating, executing and deleting for the plurality of steps.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising:

determining whether the file including the start of execution indication is present prior to accessing the command within the step sequence; and

determining that an error condition is present if the file including the start of execution indication is present.

13. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

asking an operator whether the operator wishes to continue with the software installation when the error condition is present; and

executing the command if the operator wishes to continue with the software installation.

14. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

asking an operator whether the operator wishes to transfer to a troubleshooting mode of operation when the error condition is present; and

transferring to a troubleshooting mode of operation if the operator so wishes.

15. A computer system comprising:

a processor;

a component coupled to the processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including software installed thereon, the software being installed by;

accessing a software installation command within a step sequence having a plurality of steps;

creating a file including a start of execution indication;

executing the command;

deleting the file including the start of execution indication when the command completes execution; and

repeating the accessing, creating, executing and deleting for the plurality of steps.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising:

determining whether the file including the start of execution indication is present prior to accessing the command within the step sequence; and

determining that an error condition is present if the file including the start of execution indication is present.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising:

asking an operator whether the operator wishes to continue with the software testing when the error condition is present; and

executing the command if the operator wishes to continue with the software testing.

18. The system of claim 16 further comprising:

asking an operator whether the operator wishes to transfer to a troubleshooting mode of operation when the error condition is present; and

transferring to a troubleshooting mode of operation if the operator so wishes.