Method and apparatus for creating a preload image for network installation

• US 6,651,094 B1
• Filed: 07/17/1998
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Dean, Jeffrey Randell, Rodriguez, Ingrid Milagros
• Primary Examiner(s): Najjar, Saleh
• Application Number:
  US09/118,207
• Time in Patent Office: 1,950 Days
• Field of Search: 709/222, 709/221, 709/220, 709/225, 709/223, 709/229, 709/226, 713/1, 713/2, 713/100, 713/200, 713/201
• US Class Current: 709/222
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/63 Image based installation; Cloning; Build to order

Abstract

The present invention is a method and apparatus for generating the second phase (i.e. software for which redistribution rights are limited) of a preload image for networks. The reseller is not required to answer numerous and often repetitive prompts for each application, but merely the location of the desired application.

Claims

1. A method of creating a preload image for installation of a server network, the method comprising the steps of:

creating a first portion of the preload image containing software for which a seller has redistribution rights;

prompting, using an image utility, a designated individual for a location of additional software for which the seller does not have redistribution rights, and for which the seller desires to become a second portion of the preload image; and

creating, using the image utility, a second portion of the preload image, wherein the second portion includes the located additional software.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the additional software includes compressed files and an installation program, the installation program being used for uncompressing the compressed files, and for requiring a key prior to execution, and the step of creating a second portion of the preload image includes:

requesting, using the image utility, the key from the designated individual;

uncompressing, using the image utility, in response to receiving the key, the compressed files; and

installing, using the image utility, the uncompressed files into the second portion of the preload image using default parameters.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the default parameters include a directory structure for the uncompressed files.

4. An apparatus for creating a preload image for installation of a server network, the apparatus comprising:

means for creating a first portion of the preload image containing software for which a seller has redistribution rights;

means for prompting, using an image utility, a designated individual for a location of additional software for which the seller does not have redistribution rights, and for which the seller desires to become a second portion of the preload image; and

means for creating, using the image utility, a second portion of the preload image, wherein the second portion includes the located additional software.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the additional software includes compressed files and an installation program, the installation program being used for uncompressing the compressed files, and for requiring a key prior to execution, and the means for creating a second portion of the preload image includes:

means for requesting, using the image utility, the key from the designated individual;

means for uncompressing, using the image utility, in response to receiving the key, the compressed files; and

means for installing, using the image utility, the uncompressed files into the second portion of the preload image using default parameters.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the default parameters include a directory structure for the uncompressed files.

7. A computer program product comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for creating a preload image for installation of a server network, the computer readable program code means including;

means for creating a first portion of the preload image containing software for which a seller has redistribution rights;

means for prompting, using an image utility, a designated individual for a location of additional software for which the seller does not have redistribution rights, and for which the seller desires to become a second portion of the preload image; and

means for creating, using the image utility, a second portion of the preload image, wherein the second portion includes the located additional software.

8. The computer program product of claim 7 wherein the additional software includes compressed files and an installation program, the installation program being used for uncompressing the compressed files, and for requiring a key prior to execution, and the means for creating a second portion of the preload image includes:

means for requesting, using the image utility, the key from the designated individual;

means for uncompressing, using the image utility, in response to receiving the key, the compressed files; and

means for installing, using the image utility, the uncompressed files into the second portion of the preload image using default parameters.

9. The computer program product of claim 8 wherein the default parameters include a directory structure for the uncompressed files.