Method and system for reversible installation of software applications in a data processing system utilizing an automated archival process

• US 6,430,738 B1
• Filed: 07/01/1993
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: John, Gerald Damian, Lillard, Charley David, Torrens, Douglas Eugene, Gross, Andrew Louis, Hill, Mark Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): COURTENAY III, ST JOHN
• Application Number:
  US08/087,824
• Time in Patent Office: 3,323 Days
• Field of Search: 395/700, 717/11
• US Class Current: 717/176
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/62 Uninstallation

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.

Claims

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.

2. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of listing within said directory within said removable storage medium an identification of said first version of said selected software application in response to copying thereof.

3. The method according to claim 2, further including the step of listing within said directory a minimum and maximum hardware configuration required for each alternate version of said selected software application contained therein.

4. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of listing within said directory an address location within said removable storage medium for said alternate version of said selected software application contained therein.

5. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of listing within said directory a length of each alternate version of said selected software application contained therein.

6. An enterprise including a plurality of data processing systems, each data processing system comprising:

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.

7. The data processing system according to claim 6, wherein said selected software application comprises microcode and wherein said memory comprises programmable read only memory.

8. The data processing system according to claim 6, wherein said storage system comprises a cartridge tape drive.

9. The data processing system according to claim 8, wherein said removable storage medium comprises a magnetic tape cartridge.

10. The data processing system for permitting the reversible installation of a software application therein according to claim 6, wherein said storage system control means further includes means for creating a directory within said removable storage medium listing each alternate version of said selected software application contained therein.