System and method for expediting and automating mainframe computer setup

• US 20050268295A1
• Filed: 07/18/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frametech LLC (Jeffrey M. Gross)
• Original Assignee: Infinity Systems Software Incorporated (Converge Technology Solutions Corp.)
• Inventors: Malitz, Robert, Wojtukiewicz, Michael, Amodio, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,042,107 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

The present invention preferably automates mainframe computer operating system upgrades by automatically installing a base operating system on the mainframe system, performing information-gathering of an existing mainframe computer system, using the information to recreate the environment settings of the existing system, and providing a series of directives typically required of a skilled mainframe computer systems programmer for an IPL. By preparing a mainframe computer system to automatically perform an IPL, and, thereafter, automating a series of configuration process to install optional products, the present invention decreases the amount of time and operator skill-level requirements for prior art mainframe computer operating system upgrades.

Claims

1. A method to remotely upgrade at least one of an operating system and an optional product on a mainframe computer system using a personal computer over a communication network, said method comprising:

transferring a plurality of mainframe operating system components to said mainframe;

performing system discovery, said system discovery representing existing components installed on said mainframe computer system;

automatically combining said plurality of mainframe operating system components with said existing components to enable said mainframe to perform an initial program load;

performing said initial program load on said mainframe computer system;

receiving a selection of said optional components to be included in said upgrade;

installing said optional products identified in said selection in said mainframe computer system; and

performing a initial program load to implement said optional products.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said existing components include at least one a partition, volume, partitioned data set, and identifier of a user in a RACF directory.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said communication network is the Internet.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said mainframe computer system and said personal computer system communicate over a TCP/IP connection.

5. A system for a remote upgrade of at least one of an operating system and an optional product on a mainframe computer system, said system comprising:

a personal computer, said personal computer interfacing with said mainframe computer system over a communication network;

an operating system transfer module, said operating system transfer module transfers a plurality of mainframe operating system components to said mainframe;

a system discovery module, said system discovery module retrieving system information directed to existing components on said mainframe computer system;

a component combining module, said component combining module automatically combining said plurality of mainframe operating system components to said mainframe;

an initial program load module, said initial program load module performs said initial program load on said mainframe computer system;

an optional components module, said optional components module receives a selection of said existing components to be included in said upgrade; and

a completion module, said completion module installs said existing components identified in said selection.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said existing components include at least one a partition, volume, partitioned data set, and identifier of a user in a RACF directory.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein said communication network is the Internet.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein said mainframe computer system and said personal computer system communicate over a TCP/IP connection.