System and method for expediting and automating mainframe computer setup
DCFirst Claim
1. A method to remotely install an operating system upgrade and at least one optional product on a mainframe computer system using a personal computer over a communication network, said method comprising:
- performing system discovery to determine existing components installed on said mainframe computer system before said discovery is performed and further to determine how said mainframe computer system is configured, wherein said performing said system discovery occurs substantially automatically;
generating information in response to said system discovery wherein said information represents said existing components and said configuration;
storing said information representing said existing components and said configuration in a database;
transferring a plurality of mainframe operating system components comprising said operating system upgrade to said mainframe;
establishing a communication session over said communication network between said personal computer and said mainframe computer, and receiving from said personal computer instructions to control installation of said operating system upgrade;
combining said plurality of mainframe operating system components with said existing components and customizing said combination of components in response to receiving said instructions to enable said mainframe to perform a first initial program load, wherein said combining and said customizing are performed automatically using said information;
performing said first initial program load on said mainframe computer system;
receiving from said personal computer a selection of said at least one optional product to be included in said upgrade;
installing said at least one optional product identified in said selection in said mainframe computer system; and
performing a second initial program load to implement said at least one optional product.
2 Assignments
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
13 Citations
10 Claims
-
1. A method to remotely install an operating system upgrade and at least one optional product on a mainframe computer system using a personal computer over a communication network, said method comprising:
-
performing system discovery to determine existing components installed on said mainframe computer system before said discovery is performed and further to determine how said mainframe computer system is configured, wherein said performing said system discovery occurs substantially automatically; generating information in response to said system discovery wherein said information represents said existing components and said configuration; storing said information representing said existing components and said configuration in a database; transferring a plurality of mainframe operating system components comprising said operating system upgrade to said mainframe; establishing a communication session over said communication network between said personal computer and said mainframe computer, and receiving from said personal computer instructions to control installation of said operating system upgrade; combining said plurality of mainframe operating system components with said existing components and customizing said combination of components in response to receiving said instructions to enable said mainframe to perform a first initial program load, wherein said combining and said customizing are performed automatically using said information; performing said first initial program load on said mainframe computer system; receiving from said personal computer a selection of said at least one optional product to be included in said upgrade; installing said at least one optional product identified in said selection in said mainframe computer system; and performing a second initial program load to implement said at least one optional product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 9, 10)
-
-
5. A system for a remote installation of at least one of an operating system upgrade and an optional product on a mainframe computer system, said system comprising:
-
a personal computer, said personal computer programmed and configured to interface with said mainframe computer system over a communication network; a system discovery module, said system discovery module configured to; perform system discovery to determine existing components installed on said mainframe computer system and how said mainframe computer system is configured, wherein said system discovery occurs substantially automatically; generate information in response to said system discovery, wherein said information represents said existing components and said configuration; and store said information representing said existing components and said configuration in a database; an operating system transfer module, said operating system transfer module configured to transfer a plurality of mainframe operating system components comprising said operating system upgrade to said mainframe after said system discovery is performed; and an upgrade installation module, said upgrade installation module configured to; combine said plurality of mainframe operating system components with said existing components and customize said combination of components in response to receiving instructions from said personal computer, wherein said combining and said customizing are performed automatically using said information; perform an initial program load using said combination of components on said mainframe computer system; receive a selection of said optional product from said personal computer to be included in said upgrade after said initial program load; and install said optional product identified in said selection. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
-
Specification