Method and system for migrating stored data to a build-to-order computing system

• US 6,760,708 B1
• Filed: 08/19/1999
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Hubbard, Edward A., Glynn, Sean D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Breene, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, CHERYL RENEA
• Application Number:
  US09/378,020
• Time in Patent Office: 1,783 Days
• Field of Search: 707/205, 707/1, 707/10, 707/102, 705/6, 705/27, 705/26, 709/201, 709/217, 345/748, 345/749
• US Class Current: 705/26.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1417 Boot up procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2003/0697 device management, e.g. handlers, drivers, I/O schedulers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0601 Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0604 Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. storage management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0607 by facilitating the process of upgrading existing storage systems, e.g. for improving compatibility between host and storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0614 Improving the reliability of storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0647 Migration mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/067 Distributed or networked storage systems, e.g. storage area networks [SAN], network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/915 Image
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99955 Archiving or backup

Abstract

A method and system for migrating data to a build-to-order computing system is provided. The method comprises storing an image at a remote site. The image comprises data stored on a computing system. An order is received to provide a second computing system to a customer. Access to the image is provided to the second computing system such that the second computing system can store the image.

Claims

1. A method for migrating data to a computer associated with a customer, comprising:

storing an image at a remote site, the image comprising data stored on a first computing system, the first computing system associated with a customer;

encrypting the image stored at the remote site;

receiving an order from the customer for purchase of a second computing system, the second computing system associated with the customer; and

providing access to the image by the second computing system such that the second computing system can store the image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing step comprises storing the image on a medium, the medium accessible by the second computing system.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the medium is integrated into the second computing system.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the medium comprises a hard disk drive.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the medium comprises a compact disc.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

establishing a connection between a factory site and the remote site;

downloading the image to the factory site; and

wherein the step of storing the image on the medium occurs at the factory site.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising shipping the second computing system and the medium to the customer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing step comprises installing a partition on the second computing system, the partition operable to:

boot the second computing system;

have the second computing system establish a connection to the remote site; and

have the second computing system download the image.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing step comprises:

establishing a connection between a customer site storage and the remote site;

downloading the image to the customer site computing system;

establishing a connection between the second computing system and the customer site computing system; and

downloading the image to the second computing system.

10. A method for migrating data to a computer, comprising:

storing an image at a remote site, the image comprising data stored on a first computing system associated with a customer;

encrypting the image stored at the remote site;

receiving a purchase order to provide a second computing system to the customer; and

storing the image on a medium, the medium accessible by the second computing system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the medium is integrated into the second computing system.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the medium comprises a hard disk drive.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the medium comprises a compact disc.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

establishing a connection between a factory site and the remote site;

downloading the image to the factory site; and

wherein the step of storing the image on the medium occurs at the factory site.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising shipping the second computing system and the medium to the customer.

16. A method for migrating data to a computer, comprising:

storing an image at a remote site, the image comprising data stored on a first computing system;

receiving an order to provide a second computing system to a customer; and

installing a partition on the second computing system, the partition operable to;

boot the second computing system;

have the second computing system establish a connection to the remote site; and

have the second computing system download the image.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising encrypting the image.

18. A method for migrating data to a computer associated with a customer, comprising:

storing an image at a remote site, the image comprising data stored on a first computing system;

encrypting the image stored at the remote site;

receiving an order from a customer associated with the first computing system to purchase a second computing system;

establishing a connection between a customer site storage and the remote site;

downloading the image to the customer site computing system;

establishing a connection between the second computing system and the customer site computing system; and

downloading the image to the second computing system.

19. An automated system for migrating data to a computer, the system comprising:

a remote site for storing an image, the image comprising data stored on a computing system;

an order engine comprising executable instructions running on a computing platform, the order engine for receiving an order to provide a second computing system to a customer; and

a storage engine interfaced with the order engine, the storage engine comprising executable instructions running on a computing platform, the storage engine for providing access to the image by the second computing system such that the second computing system can store the image.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a medium accessible by the second computing system, wherein the storage engine is operable to cause the image to be stored on the medium.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the medium is integrated into the second computing system.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the medium comprises a hard disk drive.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the medium comprises a compact disc.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the image is encrypted.

25. The system of claim 19, further comprising a partition installed on the second computing system, the partition operable to:

boot the second computing system;

have the second computing system establish a connection to the remote site; and

have the second computing system download the image.

26. The system of claim 19, further comprising a customer site storage operable to interface with the remote site, the customer site storage further operable to:

download the image;

establish a connection to the second computing system; and

download the image to the second computing system.

27. A second computing system ordered by a customer, the second computing system comprising:

a processor;

a computer readable medium coupled to the processor; and

a partition stored on the computer readable medium, the partition operable to;

boot the computing system;

have the computing system establish a connection to a remote site,

wherein the remote site comprises a stored encrypted image, the encrypted image comprising data stored on a first computing system associated with a customer, the first computing system including a means for receiving a purchase order to provide the second computing system to the customer and a means for storing the image on a medium accessible by the second computing system; and

have the second computing system download the image from the first computing system.

28. The computing system of claim 27, further comprising a unique identifier stored on the computer readable medium, the unique identifier for identifying a particular stored image.