Location-based scenarios to facilitate selection of system configuration

• US 7,206,828 B1
• Filed: 11/10/2000
• Issued: 04/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bourke-Dunphy, Erin M., Zimniewicz, Jeff A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN BA, HOANG VU A
• Application Number:
  US09/710,143
• Time in Patent Office: 2,349 Days
• Field of Search: 717/121, 717168-178, 709200-203, 709220-226
• US Class Current: 709/221
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files

Abstract

Information is acquired indicative of a location scenario where a plurality of software components are to be installed. The location scenario is employed to configure the software components, such as by setting at least some of the components as default components to facilitate selection and/or configuration of the software components during a setup process. The location scenario is further employed to configure selected components to have functionality based on the location scenario.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented system that facilitates configuration of a software system being installed comprising the following computer-executable components:

an interface component that obtains location scenario information pertaining to a location of a device within a network upon which the software system is to be installed;

a setup component that configures the software system based at least in part upon the information pertaining to the location of the device within the network by providing at least one recommended, selectable component for installation corresponding to such location.

2. The system of claim 1, the software system further comprises a plurality of available components, the setup component selects default components for installation from the plurality of available components based on the location scenario information.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a component selection user interface that identifies the default components and, in response to receiving a user input, selects which of the plurality of available components of the software system are to be installed, the operating characteristics for at least some of the selected components being controlled as a function of the location scenario information.

4. The system of claim 1, the setup component further comprises a location user interface component that presents at least two location scenarios associated with installation of the software system, the location user interface component sets the location scenario in response to receipt of an associated user input.

5. The system of claim 1, further including computer-executable instructions associated with the setup component for accessing stored system information and determining configuration characteristics associated with a location onto where the software system is being installed, the location scenario being determined based on the configuration characteristics.

6. The system of claim 1, the software system is a server system that has a plurality of server components and the location scenario information is selected from at least two scenarios including a central server scenario and a branch office server scenario.

7. A computer-implemented system for facilitating configuration of a software system being installed, comprising:

computer-implemented means for identifying a location scenario associated with a position of a computer where the software system is to be installed within a network; and

computer-implemented means for determining a configuration for the software system based on the position of the computer within the network by yielding a default, customizable subset of software system components.

8. A method for configuring a software system comprising the following computer-executable acts:

selecting a scenario based on a location of a device where the software system is to be installed with respect to disparate devices; and

determining a configuration for the software system based on the selected scenario by providing a default, modifiable subset of software system components for installation corresponding to the location of the device.

9. The method of claim 8, the software system includes a plurality of components, determining further comprising determining at least one default component to install from the plurality of components based on the selected scenario.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a user interface which identifies the at least one default component.

11. The method of claim 10, further including selecting which of the plurality of components are to be installed and controlling operating characteristics of at least some of the selected components as a function of the selected scenario.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising presenting at least two possible location scenarios via an associated user interface, selecting further comprising selecting the scenario from one of presented scenarios.

13. The method of claim 8, selecting further comprises accessing stored system information and determining configuration characteristics associated with a location onto where the software system is being installed, the selected scenario being determined based on the determined configuration characteristics.

14. The method of claim 8, the software system is a server system having a plurality of server components and the selected scenario is selected from at least two scenarios including a central server scenario and a branch office server scenario.

15. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for:

receiving data indicative of a location scenario corresponding to a location in a network of a device where a software system is to be installed; and

configuring the software system based on the location scenario by tuning an adjustable list of recommended software system components for installation based upon the location in the network.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, having further computer-executable instructions for determining at least one default component to install from a plurality of available components based on the location scenario.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, having further computer-executable instructions for providing an interactive user interface that identifies the at least one default component.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, having further computer-executable instructions for selecting which components of the software system are to be installed based on user input via the user interface and controlling operating characteristics of at least some of the selected components as a function of the location scenario.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, having further computer-executable instructions for providing a user interface that presents at least two possible location scenarios and for receiving instructions via the user interface for selecting the location scenario from the presented scenarios.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, the software system is a server system having a plurality of server components, the computer-readable medium having further computer-executable instructions for presenting the at least two possible location scenarios to include a central server scenario and a branch office server scenario.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, having further computer-executable instructions for accessing stored system information and determining configuration characteristics associated with a location onto where the software system is being installed, the location scenario being determined based on the determined configuration characteristics.