초록 ▼

A technique for the remote installation of application software from a source computer system to one or more target computer systems (workstation) coupled to a Local Area Network (LAN). The present invention allows a LAN Administrator to install application software on a user's workstation automatic

A technique for the remote installation of application software from a source computer system to one or more target computer systems (workstation) coupled to a Local Area Network (LAN). The present invention allows a LAN Administrator to install application software on a user's workstation automatically at any time without user's intervention. The state of (i.e. a snapshot of) the LAN Administrator's system before and after the installation of the application software is captured and an installation package is built. Installation on the user workstations is then scheduled. For installation, the installation package is transmitted to the user workstation where an install program carries out commands in the installation package for installing the application software.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for installation of an application software package on one or more target workstations from a source workstation, said one or more target workstations and said source workstation all coupled to a network executing a network operating system, said method comprising the steps

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for installation of an application software package on one or more target workstations from a source workstation, said one or more target workstations and said source workstation all coupled to a network executing a network operating system, said method comprising the steps of:creating a pre-installation system snapshot of software on said source workstation;installing said application software package on said source workstation;creating a post-installation system snapshot of said software on said source workstation;comparing said pre-installation system snapshot with said post-installation system snapshot;generating an application installation package based on said step of comparing, said application installation package comprising a plurality of commands for installing said application software package on said one or more target workstations;storing said application installation package at a storage location accessible by said one or more target workstations and said source workstations;on each of said one or more target workstations:saving a predetermined set of system files that will be changed by said application installation package; andinstalling said application software package on said corresponding target workstation based on said application installation package. [2.] The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of comparing said pre-installation system snapshot with said post-installation system snapshot, is further comprised of the steps of:identifying the differences between said pre-installation system snapshot and said post-installation snapshot; andgenerating said plurality of instructions for installing said application software package based on said application software package and the differences between said post-installation snapshot from said pre-installation system snapshot. [3.] The method as recited in claim 2 wherein prior to said step of transmitting said application installation file to one or more target workstations performing the step of scheduling said installation of said application software on said one or more target workstations.