Method and apparatus for automatically installing operating systems machines
US6094531A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 25, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 25, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/4406
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically installing an operating system on a computer via a serial port of the computer. An installer machine running an installation program connects to the computer to be installed via a serial port of the computer to form an ASCII connection with the computer. Once the connection is made, the installation program sends commands to the boot ROM of the computer to institute the installation process. The computer program then waits for configuration questions to be asked by the boot ROM of the computer and sends the appropriate answers to the questions. Preferably, the installer is connected to the machines to be installed via a multiplexer/demultiplexer device which is connected to the serial ports of the machines to be installed. Thus, the installer is capable of installing operating systems on a plurality of machines by selecting the port number of the multiplexer/demultiplexer device to which the machine to be installed is connected. The installer receives requests to install operating systems on one or more of the machines. The requests indicate which machine is to be installed and the type of operating system to b…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.