Method and system for reversible installation of software applications in a data processing system utilizing an automated archival process
First Claim
1. A method for reversibly installing a software application within a data processing system among a plurality of data processing systems, said data processing system having a processor, memory containing a first version of a selected software application and a storage system for receiving a removable storage medium, said method comprising the steps of:
- inserting said removable storage medium containing at least one alternate version of said selected software application within said storage system;
prompting a user of said data processing system to select an alternate version of said selected software application for installation within said data processing system utilizing said storage system;
automatically copying said first version of said selected software application from said memory onto said removable storage medium prior to initiation of installation of an alternate version of said selected software application in response to said selection thereof wherein said installation may be selectively reversed; and
creating a directory within said removable storage medium listing each alternate version of said selected software application contained therein and a unique identification of each data processing system among said plurality of data processing systems which has utilized each of said alternate versions of said selected software application.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for permitting reversible installation of software applications in a data processing system which includes a processor, memory containing a first version of a selected software application and a storage system for receiving a removable storage medium. A removable storage medium which includes at least one alternate version of a selected software application is inserted into the storage system and a user is then prompted to select an alternate version of the selected software application for installation within the data processing system. The existing version of the selected software application within the data processing system is then automatically copied from memory to the removable storage medium prior to initiation of installation of the alternate version of the selected software application in response to a selection of the alternate version, such that the installation may be selectively reversed. A directory within the removable storage medium is automatically created and updated each time an application is copied from or to the removable storage medium with a listing of each alternate version of the selected software application, a required hardware level for utilization with each version of the selected software application and a listing of each data processing system within the enterprise which has utilized that version.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for reversibly installing a software application within a data processing system among a plurality of data processing systems, said data processing system having a processor, memory containing a first version of a selected software application and a storage system for receiving a removable storage medium, said method comprising the steps of:
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inserting said removable storage medium containing at least one alternate version of said selected software application within said storage system;
prompting a user of said data processing system to select an alternate version of said selected software application for installation within said data processing system utilizing said storage system;
automatically copying said first version of said selected software application from said memory onto said removable storage medium prior to initiation of installation of an alternate version of said selected software application in response to said selection thereof wherein said installation may be selectively reversed; and
creating a directory within said removable storage medium listing each alternate version of said selected software application contained therein and a unique identification of each data processing system among said plurality of data processing systems which has utilized each of said alternate versions of said selected software application. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An enterprise including a plurality of data processing systems, each data processing system comprising:
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a processor;
memory coupled to said processor for containing a first version of said selected software applications;
a storage system coupled to said processor for receiving a removable storage medium;
a removable storage medium adapted to mount within said storage system, said removable storage medium containing at least one alternate version of said selected software application;
prompting means for prompting a user of said data processing system to select an alternate version of said selected software application for installation within said data processing system; and
storage system control means for automatically copying said first version of said selected software application from said memory onto said removable storage medium prior to initiation of installation of an alternate version of said selected software application in response to selection thereof and for creating a directory within said removable storage medium listing each alternate version of said selected software application contained therein and a unique identification of each data processing system among said plurality of data processing systems within said enterprise which has utilized each of said alternate versions of said selected software application wherein said installation may be selectively reversed. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification