Automated test system and method for computer factory install environment

• US 6,785,844 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2001
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Wong, William H., Bozack, Christopher J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DIEU MINH T
• Application Number:
  US09/770,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20020104042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,313 Days
• Field of Search: 714/25, 714/2, 714/4, 714/37, 714/38, 714/39, 717/171, 717/174, 717/176, 717/178, 717/168, 717/173, 709/223-225, 709/220, 709/221, 709/222, 702/183, 702/184, 702/185, 702/186, 702/187, 702/188
• US Class Current: 714/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2294 by remote test

Abstract

A computer system factory download automated test process architecture includes an automated test system server (ATS Server), an automated test control center (ATCC) software program operable within the ATS Server for performing prescribed functions of a factory download automated test process, and an automated test machine (ATM) having a processor, a bootable device, and automated test machine client software, the bootable device for storing the ATM client software, and the processor for executing the ATM client software, in response to a prescribed boot, for controlling an operation of a prescribed download/test process of a respective ATM during the factory download automated test process, and for a respective ATM, the ATM client software for 1) retrieving installation files and test instructions from the ATCC, 2) passing control to the respective ATM upon a receipt of the installation files and test instructions for the ATM to perform at least one automated test according to the installation files and test instructions, 3) responsive to regaining a control subsequent a performance of the automated test by the ATM, the ATM client software for copying any test result files generated by the ATM during the automated test to the ATCC, and 4) awaiting any instructions for any further download/test process from the ATCC.

Claims

1. A computer system factory download automated test process architecture comprising:

an automated test system server (ATS Server);

an automated test control center (ATCC) software program operable within the ATS Server for performing prescribed functions of a factory download automated test process;

an automated test machine (ATM) having a processor, a bootable device, and automated test machine client software, the bootable device for storing the ATM client software, and the processor for executing the ATM client software, in response to a prescribed boot, for controlling an operation of a prescribed download/test process of a respective ATM during the factory download automated test process, and for a respective ATM, the ATM client software for

     1) retrieving installation files and test instructions from the ATCC,

     2) passing control to the respective ATM upon a receipt of the installation files and test instructions for the ATM to perform at least one automated test according to the installation files and test instructions,

     3) responsive to regaining a control subsequent a performance of the automated test by the ATM, the ATM client software for copying any test result files generated by the ATM during the automated test to the ATCC, and

     4) awaiting any instructions for any further download/test process from the ATCC; and

wherein the ATCC is further for dispatching test cases to the ATM according to a prescribed test schedule, further as a function of prescribed characteristics, wherein the prescribed characteristics include one of the following selected from the group consisting of;

a) numerical weights determined as a function of a hardware configuration and performance history of a respective ATM, b) a supported operating system (OS) and hardware combination of a respective ATM, c) a number of queued test cases awaiting execution by a respective ATM, and d) a test case priority.

2. The architecture of claim 1, further comprising a remote web terminal, the remote web terminal for coupling to the ATS Server and enabling an access to the ATCC, the remote web terminal further for use in formulating a desired download/test process for execution by the ATM, according to a prescribed priority as determined by the ATCC.

3. The architecture of claim 2, wherein the remote web terminal is further for receiving results of a desired download/test process from the ATM via the ATCC.

4. The architecture of claim 1, wherein the ATM includes a plurality of ATMs, each of the ATMs characterized by a prescribed configuration.

5. The architecture of claim 1, wherein the ATM client software initially resides on a bootable device of the ATM, the client software further including instructions processable by the processor for moving the ATM client software to a RAM drive and erasing a content of the corresponding bootable device, dynamically generating files, including a version of the ATM client software, and copying the dynamically generated files onto the bootable device for performing a next operating system (OS)/Application software download/test process as directed by the ATCC.

6. The architecture of claim 1, wherein the ATM client software includes instructions for allowing ATM system re-boots and further includes instructions for passing a control of the ATM to the bootable device of a respective ATM.

7. The architecture of claim 1, wherein the ATM client software further includes instructions for conducting a prescribed automated test and for posting test results in the form of test result data of the prescribed automated download/test process to the ATCC on the ATS Server, wherein the ATCC analyzes the test result data and issues subsequent ATM client software instructions based upon an outcome of test result analyses of previously performed download/test processes.

8. A computer system factory download automated test process architecture comprising:

at least one automated test server (ATS Server);

at least one automated test control center (ATCC) software program operable within said at least one automated test server for performing prescribed functions of a factory download automated test process;

at least one automated test machine (ATM) characterized by a prescribed configuration having at least one processor, at least one bootable device, and automated test machine client software, the at least one bootable device for storing the ATM client software, and the at least one processor for executing the ATM client software, in response to a prescribed boot, for controlling an operation of a prescribed download/test process of a respective ATM during the factory download automated test process, and for a respective ATM, the ATM client software for

     1) retrieving installation files and test instructions from the at least one ATCC,

     2) passing control to the respective ATM upon a receipt of the installation files and test instructions for the ATM to perform at least one automated test according to the installation files and test instructions,

     3) responsive to regaining a control subsequent a performance of the at least one automated test by the ATM, the ATM client software for copying any test result files generated by ATM during the automated test to the ATCC, and

     4) awaiting any instructions for any further download/test process from the ATCC and wherein the ATM client software initially resides on a bootable device of said at least one ATM, the client software further including instructions processable by the processor for moving the ATM client software to a RAM drive and erasing a content of the corresponding bootable device, dynamically generating files, including at least a version of the ATM client software, and copying the dynamically generated files onto the bootable device for performing a next operating system (OS)/Application software download/test process as directed by the ATCC;

at least one remote web terminal, said at least one remote web terminal for coupling to said at least one ATS Server and enabling an access to said at least one ATCC, said at least one remote web terminal further for use in formulating a desired download/test process for execution by one of said at least one ATM, according to a prescribed priority as determined by said at least one ATCC, wherein said at least one remote web terminal is further for receiving results of a desired download/test process from a selected one of said at least one ATM via said ATCC; and

wherein said at least one ATCC is further for dispatching test cases to said at least one ATM according to a prescribed test schedule, further as a function of prescribed characteristics, wherein the prescribed characteristics include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of;

a) numerical weights determined as a function of a hardware configuration and performance history of a respective ATM, b) a supported operating system (OS) and hardware combination of a respective ATM, c) a number of queued test cases awaiting execution by a respective ATM, and d) a test case priority.

9. The architecture of claim 8, wherein the ATM client software includes instructions for allowing ATM system re-boots and further includes instructions for passing a control of the ATM to any one of the bootable devices of the at least one bootable devices of a respective ATM.

10. The architecture of claim 9, wherein the ATM client software further includes instructions for conducting a prescribed automated test and for posting test results in the form of test result data of the prescribed automated download/test process to said at least one ATCC on said ATS Server, wherein the ATCC analyzes the test result data and issues subsequent ATM client software instructions based upon an outcome of test result analyses of previously performed download/test processes.

11. A computer system factory download automated test method comprising:

providing at least one automated test system server (ATS Server);

providing at least one automated test control center (ATCC) software program operable within the at least one ATS Server for performing prescribed functions of a factory download automated test process;

providing at least one automated test machine (ATM) having at least one processor, at least one bootable device, and automated test machine client software, the at least one bootable device for storing the ATM client software, and the at least one processor for executing the ATM client software, in response to a prescribed boot, for controlling an operation of a prescribed download/test process of a respective ATM during the factory download automated test process, and for a respective ATM, the ATM client software for

     1) retrieving installation files and test instructions from the at least one ATCC,

     2) passing control to the respective ATM upon a receipt of the installation files and test instructions for the ATM to perform at least one automated test according to the installation files and test instructions,

     3) responsive to regaining a control subsequent a performance of the at least one automated test by the ATM, the ATM client software for copying any test result files generated by ATM during the automated test to the ATCC, and

     4) awaiting any instructions for any further download/test process from the ATCC; and

wherein the at least one ATCC is further for dispatching test cases to the at least one ATM according to a prescribed test schedule, further as a function of prescribed characteristics, wherein the prescribed characteristics include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of;

a) numerical weights determined as a function of a hardware configuration and performance history of a respective ATM, b) a supported operating system (OS) and hardware combination of a respective ATM, c) a number of queued test cases awaiting execution by a respective ATM, and d) a test case priority.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing at least one remote web terminal, the at least one remote web terminal for coupling to the at least one ATS Server and enabling an access to the at least one ATCC, the at least one remote web terminal further for use in formulating a desired download/test process for execution by one of the at least one ATM, according to a prescribed priority as determined by the at least one ATCC.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one remote web terminal is further for receiving results of a desired download/test process from a selected one of the at least one ATM via the ATCC.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one ATM includes a plurality of automated test machines (ATMs), each of the ATMs characterized by a prescribed configuration.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the ATM client software initially resides on a bootable device of the at least one ATM, the client software further including instructions processable by the processor for moving the ATM client software to a RAM drive and erasing a content of the corresponding bootable device, dynamically generating files, including at least a version of the ATM client software, and copying the dynamically generated files onto the bootable device for performing a next operating system (OS)/application software download/test process as directed by the ATCC.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the ATM client software includes instructions for allowing ATM system re-boots and further includes instructions for passing a control of the ATM to any one of the bootable devices of the at least one bootable devices of a respective ATM.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the ATM client software further includes instructions for conducting a prescribed automated test and for posting test results in the form of test result data of the prescribed automated download/test process to the at least one ATCC on the ATS Server, wherein the ATCC analyzes the test result data and issues subsequent ATM client software instructions based upon an outcome of test result analyses of previously performed download/test processes.

18. A computer system factory download automated test process architecture comprising:

an automated test system server (ATS Server);

an automated test control center (ATCC) software program operable within the ATS Server for performing prescribed functions of a factory download automated test process;

an automated test machine (ATM) having a processor, a bootable device, and automated test machine client software, the bootable device for storing the ATM client software, and the processor for executing the ATM client software, in response to a prescribed boot, for controlling an operation of a prescribed download/test process of a respective ATM during the factory download automated test process, and for a respective ATM, the ATM client software for

     1) retrieving installation files and test instructions from the ATCC,

     2) passing control to the respective ATM upon a receipt of the installation files and test instructions for the ATM to perform at least one automated test according to the installation files and test instructions,

     3) responsive to regaining a control subsequent a performance of the automated test by the ATM, the ATM client software for copying any test result files generated by the ATM during the automated test to the ATCC, and

     4) awaiting any instructions for any further download/test process from the ATCC; and

wherein the ATM client software initially resides on a bootable device of the ATM, the client software further including instructions processable by the processor for moving the ATM client software to a RAM drive and erasing a content of the corresponding bootable device, dynamically generating files, including a version of the ATM client software, and copying the dynamically generated files onto the bootable device for performing a next operating system (OS)/Application software download/test process as directed by the ATCC.

19. A computer system factory download automated test process architecture comprising:

an automated test system server (ATS Server);

an automated test control center (ATCC) software program operable within the ATS Server for performing prescribed functions of a factory download automated test process;

an automated test machine (ATM) having a processor, a bootable device, and automated test machine client software, the bootable device for storing the ATM client software, and the processor for executing the ATM client software, in response to a prescribed boot, for controlling an operation of a prescribed download/test process of a respective ATM during the factory download automated test process, and for a respective ATM, the ATM client software for

     1) retrieving installation files and test instructions from the ATCC,

     2) passing control to the respective ATM upon a receipt of the installation files and test instructions for the ATM to perform at least one automated test according to the installation files and test instructions,

     3) responsive to regaining a control subsequent a performance of the automated test by the ATM, the ATM client software for copying any test result files generated by the ATM during the automated test to the ATCC, and

     4) awaiting any instructions for any further download/test process from the ATCC; and

wherein the ATM client software further includes instructions for conducting a prescribed automated test and for posting test results in the form of test result data of the prescribed automated download/test process to the ATCC on the ATS Server, wherein the ATCC analyzes the test result data and issues subsequent ATM client software instructions based upon an outcome of test result analyses of previously performed download/test processes.

20. A computer system factory download automated test process architecture comprising:

at least one automated test server (ATS Server);

at least one automated test control center (ATCC) software program operable within said at least one automated test server for performing prescribed functions of a factory download automated test process;

at least one automated test machine (ATM) characterized by a prescribed configuration having at least one processor, at least one bootable device, and automated test machine client software, the at least one bootable device for storing the ATM client software, and the at least one processor for executing the ATM client software, in response to a prescribed boot, for controlling an operation of a prescribed download/test process of a respective ATM during the factory download automated test process, and for a respective ATM, the ATM client software for

     1) retrieving installation files and test instructions from the at least one ATCC,

     2) passing control to the respective ATM upon a receipt of the installation files and test instructions for the ATM to perform at least one automated test according to the installation files and test instructions,

     3) responsive to regaining a control subsequent a performance of the at least one automated test by the ATM, the ATM client software for copying any test result files generated by ATM during the automated test to the ATCC, and

     4) awaiting any instructions for any further download/test process from the ATCC, and wherein the ATM client software initially resides on a bootable device of said at least one ATM, the client software further including instructions processable by the processor for moving the ATM client software to a RAM drive and erasing a content of the corresponding bootable device, dynamically generating files, including at least a version of the ATM client software, and copying the dynamically generated files onto the bootable device for performing a next operating system (OS)/Application software download/test process as directed by the ATCC;

at least one remote web terminal, said at least one remote web terminal for coupling to said at least one ATS Server and enabling an access to said at least one ATCC, said at least one remote web terminal further for use in formulating a desired download/test process for execution by one of said at least one ATM, according to a prescribed priority as determined by said at least one ATCC, wherein said at least one remote web terminal is further for receiving results of a desired download/test process from a selected one of said at least one ATM via said ATCC; and

wherein the ATM client software further includes instructions for conducting a prescribed automated test and for posting test results in the form of test result data of the prescribed automated download/test process to said at least one ATCC on said ATS Server, wherein the ATCC analyzes the test result data and issues subsequent ATM client software instructions based upon an outcome of test result analyses of previously performed download/test processes.

21. A computer system factory download automated test method comprising:

providing at least one automated test system server (ATS Server);

providing at least one automated test control center (ATCC) software program operable within the at least one ATS Server for performing prescribed functions of a factory download automated test process;

providing at least one automated test machine (ATM) having at least one processor, at least one bootable device, and automated test machine client software, the at least one bootable device for storing the ATM client software, and the at least one processor for executing the ATM client software, in response to a prescribed boot, for controlling an operation of a prescribed download/test process of a respective ATM during the factory download automated test process, and for a respective ATM, the ATM client software for

     1) retrieving installation files and test instructions from the at least one ATCC,

     2) passing control to the respective ATM upon a receipt of the installation files and test instructions for the ATM to perform at least one automated test according to the installation files and test instructions,

     3) responsive to regaining a control subsequent a performance of the at least one automated test by the ATM, the ATM client software for copying any test result files generated by ATM during the automated test to the ATCC, and

     4) awaiting any instructions for any further download/test process from the ATCC; and

wherein the ATM client software initially resides on a bootable device of the at least one ATM, the client software further including instructions processable by the processor for moving the ATM client software to a RAM drive and erasing a content of the corresponding bootable device, dynamically generating files, including at least a version of the ATM client software, and copying the dynamically generated files onto the bootable device for performing a next operating system (OS)/application software download/test process as directed by the ATCC.

22. A computer system factory download automated test method comprising:

providing at least one automated test system server (ATS Server);

providing at least one automated test control center (ATCC) software program operable within the at least one ATS Server for performing prescribed functions of a factory download automated test process;

providing at least one automated test machine (ATM) having at least one processor, at least one bootable device, and automated test machine client software, the at least one bootable device for storing the ATM client software, and the at least one processor for executing the ATM client software, in response to a prescribed boot, for controlling an operation of a prescribed download/test process of a respective ATM during the factory download automated test process, and for a respective ATM, the ATM client software for

     1) retrieving installation files and test instructions from the at least one ATCC,

     2) passing control to the respective ATM upon a receipt of the installation files and test instructions for the ATM to perform at least one automated test according to the installation files and test instructions,

     3) responsive to regaining a control subsequent a performance of the at least one automated test by the ATM, the ATM client software for copying any test result files generated by ATM during the automated test to the ATCC, and

     4) awaiting any instructions for any further download/test process from the ATCC; and

wherein the ATM client software further includes instructions for conducting a prescribed automated test and for posting test results in the form of test result data of the prescribed automated download/test process to the at least one ATCC on the ATS Server, wherein the ATCC analyzes the test result data and issues subsequent ATM client software instructions based upon an outcome of test result analyses of previously performed download/test processes.