Method and apparatus for creating and using a download package to modify software configuration of a storage system

• US 7,523,452 B1
• Filed: 12/07/2004
• Issued: 04/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NetApp, Inc.
• Original Assignee: NetApp, Inc.
• Inventors: Gilson, Dan H. III, Kamity, Kiran
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAVIS, JOHN Q
• Application Number:
  US11/006,875
• Time in Patent Office: 1,596 Days
• Field of Search: 717/178
• US Class Current: 717/178
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A method of modifying the software configuration of a storage system includes receiving a download package at the storage system via a network connection. The download package is for use in performing a software installation process in the storage system and includes an archive of files and a metadata entity appended to the archive. The metadata entity includes a first set of metadata. The method further includes using the first set of metadata in the storage system to perform a set of preliminary checks for the software installation process.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a download package at a storage system via a network connection, the download package for use in performing a software installation process in the storage system, the download package including an archive of files and a metadata entity appended to the archive of files, the metadata entity including a first set of metadata; and

using the first set of metadata in the storage system to perform a set of preliminary checks for the software installation process.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising executing the software installation process in the storage system after performing the set of preliminary checks.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein in the download package the archive is compressed and the metadata entity is appended to the compressed archive, the method further comprising decompressing the archive after said receiving the download package and prior to initiation of the software installation process.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the metadata entity further includes a metadata checksum, the method further comprising:

using the metadata checksum to confirm the integrity of the metadata entity.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the metadata entity further includes a checksum algorithm field, the method further comprising:

using the checksum algorithm field to determine an appropriate algorithm to use in evaluating the metadata checksum.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the metadata entity includes a digital signature, the method further comprising:

using the digital signature to authenticate the download package, prior to initiation of the software installation process.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the archive includes a plurality of files and a checksum file, the method further comprising:

using the checksum file to verify the integrity of each of the plurality of files.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the metadata entity includes a checksum of the checksum file;

the method further comprising;

using the checksum of the checksum file to confirm the integrity of the checksum file.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the archive includes a second set of metadata relating to the files in the archive, the method further comprising:

using the second set of metadata in the software installation process in the storage system.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the first set of metadata is used by an installer in the storage system only if the installer is at least as current as a specified version, and wherein the second set of metadata is used by the installer if the installer is older than the specified version.

11. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first set of metadata includes an indication of one or more particular models of storage system supported by the plurality of files supported.

12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first set of metadata includes an indication of one or more hardware adapters supported by the plurality of files supported.

13. A method of updating software in a storage server, the method comprising:

receiving a download package at the storage server over a network, the download package including a compressed archive and a metadata entity appended to the compressed archive, the compressed archive including a plurality of files and a checksum file, the metadata entity including a first set of metadata, a metadata checksum, a checksum of the checksum file, and a checksum algorithm field;

decompressing the archive and extracting the plurality of files from the archive;

reading the checksum algorithm field to identify a checksum algorithm;

applying the checksum algorithm to the metadata checksum to confirm the integrity of the metadata entity;

using the checksum of the checksum file to confirm the integrity of the checksum file;

using the first set of metadata in the storage server to perform a set of preliminary checks for a software installation process;

using the checksum file to verify the integrity of each of the plurality of files; and

executing the software installation process to modify a software configuration of the storage server, based on the plurality of files.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the compressed archive further includes a second set of metadata relating to the plurality of files, the method further comprising:

using the second set of metadata in the software installation process in the storage server.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the first set of metadata is used by an installer in the storage server only if the installer is at least as current as a specified version, and wherein the second set of metadata is used by the installer if the installer is older than the specified version.

16. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the metadata entity includes a digital signature, the method further comprising using the digital signature to authenticate the download package, prior to initiation of the software installation process.

17. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the first set of metadata includes an indication of one or more particular models of storage system supported by the plurality of files supported.

18. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the first set of metadata includes an indication of one or more hardware adapters supported by the plurality of files supported.

19. A storage server comprising:

a processor;

a communication interface through which to communicate with a client;

a storage interface through which to access an array of mass storage devices;

an operating system, for use by the processor, to enable the storage server to service a request from the client to access data stored in the array of storage devices, the operating system including an installer to

receive a download package sent over a network, the download package including an archive and a metadata entity appended to the archive, the archive including a plurality of files which are to be installed in the storage server and a checksum file, the metadata entity including a first set of metadata relating to the plurality of files; and

use the first set of metadata in the storage server to perform a set of preliminary checks for a software installation process.

20. A storage server as recited in claim 19, wherein the archive includes a second set of metadata relating to the plurality of files, and wherein the installer further is to:

use the second set of metadata in the software installation process.

21. A storage server as recited in claim 20, wherein the installer uses the first set of metadata only if the installer is at least as current as a specified version, and wherein the installer uses the second set of metadata if the installer is older than the specified version.

22. A storage server as recited in claim 19, wherein in the download package the archive is compressed and the metadata entity is appended to the compressed archive, and wherein the installer further is to decompress the archive prior to initiation of the software installation process.

23. A storage server as recited in claim 19, wherein the metadata entity includes a checksum of the checksum file;

and wherein the installer further is to;

use the checksum of the checksum file to confirm the integrity of the checksum file.

24. A storage server as recited in claim 23, wherein the metadata entity further includes a metadata checksum, and wherein the installer further is to:

use the metadata checksum to confirm the integrity of the metadata entity.

25. A storage server as recited in claim 24, wherein the metadata entity further includes a checksum algorithm field, and wherein the installer further is to:

read the checksum algorithm field to determine an appropriate algorithm to use in evaluating the metadata checksum.

26. A storage server as recited in claim 19, wherein the metadata entity includes a digital signature, and wherein the installer further is to:

use the digital signature to authenticate the download package, prior to initiation of the software installation process.

27. A storage server as recited in claim 19, wherein the first set of metadata includes an indication of one or more particular models of storage system supported by the plurality of files supported.

28. A storage server as recited in claim 19, wherein the first set of metadata includes an indication of one or more hardware adapters supported by the plurality of files supported.

29. A storage system comprising:

means for receiving a download package over a network, the download package including an archive and a metadata entity appended to the archive, the archive including a plurality of files for use in performing a software installation process in the storage system, the metadata entity including a first set of metadata; and

means for using the first set of metadata in the storage system to perform a set of preliminary checks for the software installation process.

30. A method of creating a download package for use in updating software in a storage System over a network, the method comprising:

generating a first set of metadata relating to a plurality of, files which are to be installed in a storage system, the first set of metadata to be read by an installer in the storage system prior to installing the plurality of files and for use by the installer to install the plurality of files in the storage system;

storing the plurality of files and a checksum file in an archive, the checksum file containing a checksum for each of the plurality of files;

appending a metadata entity which contains the first set of metadata to the archive to form the download package; and

using the first set of metadata in the storage system to perform a set of preliminary checks for a software installation process.

31. A method as recited in claim 30, further comprising:

storing in the archive a second set of metadata relating to the plurality of files, the second set of metadata for use by the installer in installing the plurality of files in the storage system.

32. A method as recited in claim 31, wherein the first set of metadata is for use by the installer only if the installer is at least as current as a specified version, and wherein the second set of metadata is for use by the installer if the installer is older than the specified version.

33. A method as recited in claim 30, further comprising compressing the archive prior to appending the metadata entity to the archive.

34. A method as recited in claim 30, further comprising compressing the archive and the metadata entity together after appending the first set of metadata to the archive.

35. A method as recited in claim 30, further comprising:

generating a checksum of the checksum file, for use by the installer in confirming the integrity of the checksum file; and

including the checksum of the checksum file in the first metadata entity.

36. A method as recited in claim 35, further comprising:

generating a metadata checksum, for use by the installer in confirming the integrity of the checksum metadata entity; and

including the metadata checksum in the metadata entity.

37. A method as recited in claim 36, further comprising:

including in the metadata entity a checksum algorithm field indicating a checksum algorithm to be used in evaluating the metadata checksum.

38. A method as recited in claim 30, further comprising:

including in the metadata entity a digital signature for use in authenticating the download package.

39. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein the first set of metadata includes an indication of one or more particular models of storage system supported by the plurality of files supported.

40. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein the first set of metadata includes an indication of one or more hardware adapters supported by the plurality of files supported.