Automatic identification of storage requirements, such as for use in selling data storage management solutions
First Claim
1. At least one tangible computer-readable medium, excluding a signal, storing instructions for a discovery agent which, when executed by at least one data processing device, perform a method of demonstrating new data storage and recovery software for use on a computing system, wherein the computing system includes multiple computing devices networked together, wherein one of the multiple computing devices is a network management computing device, the method comprising:
- determining, by the discovery agent that is installed on the network management computing device,whether existing data storage and recovery software is installed in the computing system, wherein the existing data storage and recovery software is manufactured by a competitor manufacturer,wherein the determining includes;
searching directories of a file system of the network management computing device for a file name or folder name of the existing data storage and recovery software that identifies the competitor manufacturer of the existing data storage and recovery software, orreceiving affirmation of installation of the existing data storage and recovery software from a user via a user interface;
if the discovery agent determines that the existing data storage and recovery software is installed in the computing system, identifying a subset of the multiple computing devices of the computing system based on a system content file associated with the existing data storage and recovery software,wherein identifying the subset of the multiple computing devices includes;
locating the system content file in the file system of the network management computing device,wherein locating includes searching one or more predetermined paths in the file system of the network management computing device,wherein the one or more predetermined paths are hardcoded into the discovery agent, andextracting characteristics of the subset of the multiple computing devices from the system content file;
transmitting, by the discovery agent, the extracted characteristics of the subset of the multiple computing devices to a remote computing device to enable the remote computing device to provide a simulation to a user of the new data storage and recovery software,wherein the simulation of the new data storage and recovery software incorporates the extracted characteristics of the subset of the multiple computing devices in the simulation to enable the user to test features of the new data storage and recovery software on simulated versions of the subset of the multiple computing devices,wherein the remote computing device is external to the computing system;
providing, by the discovery agent, a list of software licenses for the new data storage and recovery software based on the subset of the multiple identified computing devices of the computing system,wherein the software licenses are licenses to individual software components of the new data storage and recovery software,wherein the list of the software licenses includes prices for the software licenses; and
installing, by the discovery agent that is installed on the network management computing device, the individual software components onto the subset of the multiple computing devices to enable operation of the new data storage and recovery software within the computing system.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for demonstrating a replacement information management software for a computing system. The methods may include determining if existing information management software is installed in the computing system. The methods may include identifying computing devices of the computing system using information from the existing information management software. The methods may include simulating the replacement information management software with characteristics of the identified computing devices to enable a user to experience the replacement information management software prior to committing to installing the replacement information management software in the computing system. The methods may include automatically installing the replacement information management software. Other implementations are disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. At least one tangible computer-readable medium, excluding a signal, storing instructions for a discovery agent which, when executed by at least one data processing device, perform a method of demonstrating new data storage and recovery software for use on a computing system, wherein the computing system includes multiple computing devices networked together, wherein one of the multiple computing devices is a network management computing device, the method comprising:
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determining, by the discovery agent that is installed on the network management computing device, whether existing data storage and recovery software is installed in the computing system, wherein the existing data storage and recovery software is manufactured by a competitor manufacturer, wherein the determining includes; searching directories of a file system of the network management computing device for a file name or folder name of the existing data storage and recovery software that identifies the competitor manufacturer of the existing data storage and recovery software, or receiving affirmation of installation of the existing data storage and recovery software from a user via a user interface; if the discovery agent determines that the existing data storage and recovery software is installed in the computing system, identifying a subset of the multiple computing devices of the computing system based on a system content file associated with the existing data storage and recovery software, wherein identifying the subset of the multiple computing devices includes; locating the system content file in the file system of the network management computing device, wherein locating includes searching one or more predetermined paths in the file system of the network management computing device, wherein the one or more predetermined paths are hardcoded into the discovery agent, and extracting characteristics of the subset of the multiple computing devices from the system content file; transmitting, by the discovery agent, the extracted characteristics of the subset of the multiple computing devices to a remote computing device to enable the remote computing device to provide a simulation to a user of the new data storage and recovery software, wherein the simulation of the new data storage and recovery software incorporates the extracted characteristics of the subset of the multiple computing devices in the simulation to enable the user to test features of the new data storage and recovery software on simulated versions of the subset of the multiple computing devices, wherein the remote computing device is external to the computing system; providing, by the discovery agent, a list of software licenses for the new data storage and recovery software based on the subset of the multiple identified computing devices of the computing system, wherein the software licenses are licenses to individual software components of the new data storage and recovery software, wherein the list of the software licenses includes prices for the software licenses; and installing, by the discovery agent that is installed on the network management computing device, the individual software components onto the subset of the multiple computing devices to enable operation of the new data storage and recovery software within the computing system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method performed by a discovery agent of demonstrating new data storage and recovery software for use on a computing system, wherein the computing system includes multiple computing devices networked together, wherein one of the multiple computing devices is a network management computing device, and wherein the discovery agent is installed on the network management computing device, the method comprising:
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determining, by the discovery agent, whether existing data storage and recovery software is installed in the computing system, wherein the existing data storage and recovery software is manufactured by a competitor manufacturer, wherein the determining includes; searching directories of a file system of the network management computing device for a file name or folder name of the existing data storage and recovery software that identifies the competitor manufacturer of the existing data storage and recovery software, or receiving affirmation of installation of the existing data storage and recovery software from a user via a user interface; if the discovery agent determines that the existing data storage and recovery software is installed in the computing system, identifying a subset of the multiple computing devices of the computing system based on a system content file associated with the existing data storage and recovery software, wherein identifying the subset of the multiple computing devices includes; locating the system content file in the file system of the network management computing device, wherein locating includes searching one or more predetermined paths in the file system of the network management computing device, wherein the one or more predetermined paths are hardcoded into the discovery agent, and extracting characteristics of the subset of the multiple computing devices from the system content file; transmitting, by the discovery agent, the extracted characteristics of the subset of the multiple computing devices to a remote computing device to enable the remote computing device to provide a simulation to a user of the new data storage and recovery software, wherein the simulation of the new data storage and recovery software incorporates the extracted characteristics of the subset of the multiple computing devices in the simulation to enable the user to test features of the new data storage and recovery software on simulated versions of the subset of the multiple computing devices, wherein the remote computing device is external to the computing system; and providing, by the discovery agent, a list of software licenses for the new data storage and recovery software based on the subset of the multiple identified computing devices of the computing system, wherein the software licenses are licenses to individual software components of the new data storage and recovery software, wherein the list of the software licenses includes prices for the software licenses. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A discovery agent for demonstrating new data storage and recovery software for use on a computing system, wherein the computing system includes multiple computing devices networked together, wherein one of the multiple computing devices is a network management computing device, and wherein the discovery agent is installed on the network management computing device, the discovery agent comprising:
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at least one processor; at least one data storage device; a determining unit configured to determine whether existing data storage and recovery software is installed in the computing system, wherein the existing data storage and recovery software is manufactured by a competitor manufacturer, wherein the determining includes; searching directories of a file system of the network management computing device for a file name or folder name of the existing data storage and recovery software that identifies the competitor manufacturer of the existing data storage and recovery software, or receiving affirmation of installation of the existing data storage and recovery software from a user via a user interface; an identifying unit configured to, when the determines unit determines that the existing data storage and recovery software is installed in the computing system, identify a subset of the multiple computing devices of the computing system based on a system content file associated with the existing data storage and recovery software, wherein identifying the subset of the multiple computing devices includes; locating the system content file in the file system of the network management computing device, wherein locating includes searching one or more predetermined paths in the file system of the network management computing device, wherein the one or more predetermined paths are hardcoded into the discovery agent, and extracting characteristics of the subset of the multiple computing devices from the system content file; a transmitting unit configured to transmit the extracted characteristics of the subset of the multiple computing devices to a remote computing device to enable the remote computing device to provide a simulation to a user of the new data storage and recovery software, wherein the simulation of the new data storage and recovery software incorporates the extracted characteristics of the subset of the multiple computing devices in the simulation to enable the user to test features of the new data storage and recovery software on simulated versions of the subset of the multiple computing devices, wherein the remote computing device is external to the computing system; and a providing unit configured to provide a list of software licenses for the new data storage and recovery software based on the subset of the multiple identified computing devices of the computing system, wherein the software licenses are licenses to individual software components of the new data storage and recovery software, wherein the list of the software licenses includes prices for the software licenses. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification