Remote software installation and maintenance
First Claim
1. A method for installing software on a selected one of a number of server computer systems, the method comprising:
- (a) retrieving a template which specifies one or more parameters specifying an aspect of the software and which includes placeholder data in place of all server-specific data, wherein the placeholder data exists in program modules, configuration data files, or installation scripts;
(b) retrieving server-specific data for the selected server, wherein the template and server-specific data are retrieved from a service and package interdependency database that maintains relationships and associates various types of software with server-specific data;
(c) replacing the placeholder data of the template with the server-specific data of the selected server to form installation data; and
(d) sending the installation data to the selected server in such a manner that causes the selected server to install the software in accordance with the installation data.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A human engineer using a computer system can maintain numerous software services and packages installed on a number of servers through a single master server and a computer network. Each software service and package is represented in a package and service template datastore 120 in templatized form. The installation template includes placeholder data which represents server-specific information used to install the computer software. The placeholder is included in program modules, configuration data files, and/or installation scripts. To install the computer software on the selected server computer, a master server retrieves server-specific information for the selected server, substitutes the retrieved server-specific data for the placeholder data to form server-specific installation data, and transports the server-specific installation data to the selected server for execution.
229 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method for installing software on a selected one of a number of server computer systems, the method comprising:
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(a) retrieving a template which specifies one or more parameters specifying an aspect of the software and which includes placeholder data in place of all server-specific data, wherein the placeholder data exists in program modules, configuration data files, or installation scripts;
(b) retrieving server-specific data for the selected server, wherein the template and server-specific data are retrieved from a service and package interdependency database that maintains relationships and associates various types of software with server-specific data;
(c) replacing the placeholder data of the template with the server-specific data of the selected server to form installation data; and
(d) sending the installation data to the selected server in such a manner that causes the selected server to install the software in accordance with the installation data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer-readable storage medium on which is stored computer instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to install software on a selected one of a number of server computer systems by:
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(a) retrieving a template which specifies one or more parameters specifying an aspect of the software and which includes placeholder data in place of all server-specific data, wherein the placeholder data exists in program modules, configuration data files, or installation scripts;
(b) retrieving server-specific data for the selected server, wherein the template and server-specific data are retrieved from a service and package interdependency database that maintains relationships and associates various types of software with server-specific data;
(c) replacing the placeholder data of the template with the server-specific data of the selected server to form installation data; and
(d) sending the installation data to the selected server in such a manner that causes the selected server to install the software in accordance with the installation data. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A computer system comprising:
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a processor;
a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including a service and package interdependency database in which templates for various types of software are recorded and associated with server-specific data; and
a software deployment module which executes in the processor from the memory and which, when executed, installs software on a selected one of a number of server computer systems by;
(a) retrieving a template from the service and package interdependency database which specifies one or more parameters specifying an aspect of the software and which includes placeholder data in place of server-specific data;
(b) retrieving server-specific data from the service and package interdependency database for the selected server;
(c) replacing the placeholder data of the template with the server-specific data of the selected server to form installation data; and
(d) sending the installation data to the selected server in such a manner that causes the selected server to install the software in accordance with the installation data. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification