US 5,367,686 AGranted

Method for automated complex multilevel softward installation in a data processing system

AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation

InventorsArvin J. Fisher, Alan Hlava, Paul D. Koeller, Mary C. Manges, Michael K. Russell, Robert H. Satin, Gordon G. Stewart, Patricia A. Timms

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Abstract

The method of the present invention presents a plurality of option panels to a user, each option panel requiring at least one user input which specifies a system option for a selected data processing system. Thereafter, an installation profile is created utilizing these specified system options, including at least a description of the operating system to be utilized and a description of the data processing system hardware configuration. In one embodiment of the present invention this installation profile is then stored in conjunction with a complex multilevel software application on a portable storage media, such as a tape reel. Thereafter, the installation of the complex multilevel software application may be automatically accomplished by reference to the installation profile which contains those values which represent preset installation options. An operating system is installed utilizing the values set forth in the installation profile and the Initial Program Load (IPL) of the operating system is also accomplished utilizing the preset installation options contained within the installation profile.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A method for the efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system having selected software applications currently installed therein, said complex multilevel software application including microcode, an operating system and at least one high level application, said method comprising the steps of:

creating within a data processing system an automatic installation profile containing a plurality of preselected installation options for a selected data processing system;
storing said automatic installation profile on a portable storage media with said complex multilevel software application;
in response to an initiation of installation by a user, automatically determining a level of microcode within said selected data processing system;
thereafter utilizing said automatic installation profile to automatically install said microcode within said selected data processing system in response to an insertion of said portable storage media within said selected data processing system by said user to the extent said microcode is not currently installed within said selected data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation;
automatically determining a level of operating system present within said selected data processing system and thereafter utilizing said automatic installation profile to automatically install said operating system within said selected data processing system to the extent said operating system is not currently installed within said data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation;
and
automatically determining a level of high level application present within said selected data processing system and thereafter utilizing said automated installation profile to automatically install said high level application within said selected data processing system to the extent said high level application is not currently installed within said data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation.

4 more elements

A method for the efficient installation of a complex multilevel software application within a data processing system, said complex multilevel software application including microcode, an operating system and at least one high level application, said method comprising the steps of:

presenting a plurality of option panels to a user utilizing a data processing system, each option panel requiring a user input to said data processing system specifying a system option for a selected data processing system;
creating within said data processing system an automatic installation profile for said selected data processing system utilizing said specified system options;
storing said automatic installation profile on a portable storage media with a complex multilevel software application;
in response to an initiation of installation by a user, automatically determining a level of microcode within said selected data processing system;
thereafter utilizing said automatic installation profile to automatically install said microcode within said selected data processing system in response to an insertion of said portable storage media within said selected data processing system by said user to the extent said microcode is not currently installed within said selected data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation;
automatically determining a level of operating system present within said selected data processing system and thereafter utilizing said automatic installation profile to automatically install said operating system within said selected data processing system to the extent said operating system is not currently installed within said data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation;
and
automatically determining a level of high level application present within said selected data processing system and thereafter utilizing said automated installation profile to automatically install said high level application within said selected data processing system to the extent said high level application is not currently installed within said data processing system, without the necessity of user intervention during said installation.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.