Software installation and testing for a build-to order computer system
First Claim
1. A method for installing software on a computer system, the method comprising the steps of:
- reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file, at least one component descriptor describing a respective component of the computer system;
reading a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database, each step being associated with a respective component descriptor and including a respective sequence number;
performing a joining operation to retrieve the software installation and testing steps from the database associated with respective components of the computer system;
obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system; and
sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including at least one command for installing software upon the computer system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for installing and/or testing software for a build-to-order computer system includes reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file. At least one component descriptor describes a respective component of the computer system. A plurality of steps are retrieved from a database, at least one step being associated with a respective component descriptor. A step also includes a respective sequence number. The plurality of steps are sequenced in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence. The step sequence includes commands for installing and/or testing software upon the computer system.
216 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method for installing software on a computer system, the method comprising the steps of:
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reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file, at least one component descriptor describing a respective component of the computer system; reading a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database, each step being associated with a respective component descriptor and including a respective sequence number; performing a joining operation to retrieve the software installation and testing steps from the database associated with respective components of the computer system; obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system; and sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including at least one command for installing software upon the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for sequencing software installation for a target computer system, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving an order for the target computer system, the target computer system to include a plurality of components; converting the order into a computer readable file, the file being descriptive of the plurality of components; reading the file; performing a joining operation to retrieve a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database according to the file associated with the components of the computer system; obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system, each step being associated with a respective component and including a respective sequence number and phase number; and sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order in accordance with the respective sequence numbers and phase numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including commands for installing software upon the target computer system during phases of manufacture, the phases of manufacture corresponding to respective phase numbers. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for sequencing software installation for a target computer system belonging to a certain family, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving an order for the target computer system, the target computer system to include a certain plurality of components including hardware components and software components; converting the order into a computer readable file, the file being descriptive of the certain plurality of components; reading the file; joining a first database table containing all components belonging to the certain family with a second database table containing all software installation steps to be run on the certain plurality of components, wherein the joining produces an intermediate set; joining the intermediate set with a third database table containing all software installation steps to be run on the certain family, wherein the joining produces a plurality of steps, each step being associated with a respective component to be included on the target computer system and each step including a respective sequence number and phase number; retrieving the plurality of steps; and sequencing the plurality of steps in a predetermined order in accordance with the respective sequence numbers and phase numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including commands for installing software upon the target computer system during phases of manufacture, the phases of manufacture corresponding to respective phase numbers. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for testing a computer system, the method comprising the steps of:
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reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file, at least one component descriptor describing a respective component of the computer system; reading a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database, each step being associated with a respective component descriptor and including a respective sequence number; and performing a joining operation to retrieve the software installation and testing steps from the database associated with respective components of the computer system; obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system; and sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including at least one command for testing the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for testing a target computer system, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving an order for the target computer system, the target computer system to include a plurality of components; converting the order into a computer readable file, the file descriptive of the plurality of components; performing a joining operation to retrieve a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database according to the file associated with the components of the computer system; obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system, each step being associated with a respective component and including a respective sequence number and phase number; and sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order in accordance with the respective sequence numbers and phase numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including commands for testing software upon the target computer system during phases of manufacture, the phases of manufacture corresponding to respective phase numbers. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A computer system comprising:
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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; reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file, at least one component descriptor describing a respective component of the computer system; reading a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database, each step being associated with a respective sequence number; performing a joining operation to retrieve the software installation and testing steps from the database associated with respective components of the computer system; obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system; and sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including at least one command for installing software upon the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification