US 2003/0200149 A1 · System and method for facilitating network installation

Abstract

In an example process for facilitating network installation, a vendor of network components may generate a network installation package (NIP) based on a list of devices to be included in the network and a library of installation guidelines. The NIP may include multiple items of software, documentation, etc., for devices to be included in the network, as well as a network installation manager (NIM) and customized installation instructions. In a related process, the NIP may be loaded into a workstation in a network, and the NIM may explain how to connect additional devices to the network, and the NIM may push software and configuration parameters to the additional devices. Also, a planning module in the NIP may generate an export list describing additional hardware components to be ordered. A vendor may use the export list to identify additional components, such as software, to accompany the hardware components.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of facilitating build-to-order processing of customer orders for network components, the method comprising:

providing a customer with a network installation package that includes (a) an network installation manager which guides installation of a network containing a first set of network components, (b) a planning module which guides the customer in selecting additional hardware components to be added to the network, and (c) an export engine which generates an export list describing the additional hardware components selected by the customer to be added to the network;
receiving the export list from the customer;
evaluating the additional hardware components in the export list for suitability with the network;
automatically identifying software components to accompany the additional hardware components, based on the export list;
and
providing the customer with the additional hardware components and the identified software components.

3 more elements

A method of facilitating network installation, the method comprising:

automatically generating customized installation instructions for installing a network, based on a list of devices to be included in the network and a library of installation guidelines;
automatically identifying multiple software packages, multiple documentation packages, and configuration parameters for two or more of the devices to be included in the network, based on the list of devices and the library of installation guidelines;
storing the customized installation instructions, the multiple software packages, the multiple documentation packages, and the configuration parameters in a network installation package;
and
sending the network installation package to a customer, for use in installing the network.

2 more elements

A method of facilitating network installation, the method comprising:

creating a network installation package that includes documentation, software, configuration parameters, and network installation instructions for multiple network devices, wherein the software and configuration parameters have been pre-validated as successfully interoperating in a test network;
loading the network installation package into a workstation in a network;
displaying, in the workstation, hardware deployment instructions from the network installation instructions, wherein the hardware deployment instructions describe how to connect additional devices to the network;
displaying, in the workstation, data items that correspond to the additional devices;
in response to user interaction with one or more of the data items, pushing software and configuration parameters from the workstation via a network connection to the additional devices that correspond to the one or more data items;
and
in response to additional user interaction with the one or more data items, launching the software that was pushed to the additional devices.

4 more elements

A program product for facilitating network installation, the program product comprising:

a computer-usable medium;
and
a network installation package encoded in the computer-usable medium, wherein the network installation package includes:
documentation, software, configuration parameters, and network installation instructions for multiple network devices, wherein the software and configuration parameters have been pre-validated as successfully interoperating in a test network;
a network installation manager containing computer instructions which, when executed, perform operations comprising:
displaying, in a workstation in a network, at least one deployment instruction from the network installation instructions describing how to connect additional devices to the network;
displaying, in the workstation, data items that correspond to the additional devices;
in response to user interaction with one or more of the data items, pushing software and configuration parameters from the workstation via a network connection to the additional devices that correspond to the one or more data items;
and
in response to additional user interaction with the one or more data items, launching the software that was pushed to the additional devices.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for facilitating network installation

Life of this patent

System and method for facilitating network installation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20