Method and apparatus for automatically installing operating systems machines
First Claim
1. An installer machine for automatically installing an operating system on a computer which is in communication with the installer machine via a serial port of the computer, the installer machine comprising:
- a first interface which receives instructions relating to an installation job to be performed;
a second interface which receives data output from the serial port of the computer and which outputs installation commands to be sent to the serial port of the computer; and
a processor which receives data from the second interface relating to data sent from the serial port of the computer and which generates the installation commands in response to the data received by the processor, the processor outputting the installation commands to the serial port of the computer via the second interface of the installer machine, wherein at least one of said installation commands output to the serial port of the computer via the second interface of the installer machine is a start-sequence command which causes the computer to enter a boot ROM memory portion of a memory device comprised in the computer thereby causing the computer to output said data from the serial port to the installer machine, and wherein the installation commands received by the serial port of the computer other than the start-sequence command cause an operating system to be automatically installed on the computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically installing an operating system on a computer via a serial port of the computer. An installer machine running an installation program connects to the computer to be installed via a serial port of the computer to form an ASCII connection with the computer. Once the connection is made, the installation program sends commands to the boot ROM of the computer to institute the installation process. The computer program then waits for configuration questions to be asked by the boot ROM of the computer and sends the appropriate answers to the questions. Preferably, the installer is connected to the machines to be installed via a multiplexer/demultiplexer device which is connected to the serial ports of the machines to be installed. Thus, the installer is capable of installing operating systems on a plurality of machines by selecting the port number of the multiplexer/demultiplexer device to which the machine to be installed is connected. The installer receives requests to install operating systems on one or more of the machines. The requests indicate which machine is to be installed and the type of operating system to be installed. The installer then sends a command to a machine to be installed which causes the machine to go into its boot ROM. The installer selects a script needed for installing the paraticular type of operating system. The installer then sends a series of installation commands to the computer in response to the series of questions output to the installer by the boot ROM of the computer. Preferably, the installer is incorporated into an automated testing system to allow operating systems to be automatically installed on a plurality of test machines over a network. The automated testing system is capable of being distributed over a network, such as the Internet, and is used for testing hardware and software.
143 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An installer machine for automatically installing an operating system on a computer which is in communication with the installer machine via a serial port of the computer, the installer machine comprising:
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a first interface which receives instructions relating to an installation job to be performed; a second interface which receives data output from the serial port of the computer and which outputs installation commands to be sent to the serial port of the computer; and a processor which receives data from the second interface relating to data sent from the serial port of the computer and which generates the installation commands in response to the data received by the processor, the processor outputting the installation commands to the serial port of the computer via the second interface of the installer machine, wherein at least one of said installation commands output to the serial port of the computer via the second interface of the installer machine is a start-sequence command which causes the computer to enter a boot ROM memory portion of a memory device comprised in the computer thereby causing the computer to output said data from the serial port to the installer machine, and wherein the installation commands received by the serial port of the computer other than the start-sequence command cause an operating system to be automatically installed on the computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An installer machine for automatically installing an operating system on a computer which is in communication with the installer machine via a serial port of the computer, the installer machine comprising:
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means for receiving instructions relating to an installation job to be performed; means for receiving data output from the serial port of the computer and for sending installation commands to the serial port of the computer; and means for processing the data received by the second interface to generate the installation commands, the means for processing outputting the generated installation commands to the serial port of the computer via the second interface of the installer machine, wherein at least one of said installation commands output to the serial port of the computer via the second interface of the installer machine is a start-sequence command which causes the computer to enter a boot ROM memory portion of a memory device comprised in the computer thereby causing the computer to output said data from the serial port to the installer machine, and wherein the installation commands received by the serial port of the computer other than the start-sequence command cause an operating system to be automatically installed on the computer. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for automatically installing an operating system on a computer which is in communication with an installer machine via a serial port of the computer, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving instructions at a first interface of the installation machine, the instructions relating to an installation job to be performed; sending a first command from a second interface of the installation machine to the serial port of the computer which causes the computer to enter a boot block portion of a memory device comprised in the computer, the first command causing the computer to prepare to load a new operating system onto the computer; receiving data output from the serial port of the computer at a second interface of the installation machine, the data output from the serial port of the computer corresponding to a series of questions to which replies must be made in order for an operating system to be loaded onto the computer; processing the data received at the second interface in a processor of the installation machine to generate installation commands which correspond to the replies; and sending the installation commands to the serial port of the computer from the second interface of the installation machine to cause an operating system to be loaded onto the computer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification