WO2001073543A2 - Procede et systeme relatifs a un deploiement sur site d'un equipement informatique dans un environnement informatique en reseau - Google Patents

Procede et systeme relatifs a un deploiement sur site d'un equipement informatique dans un environnement informatique en reseau Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001073543A2
WO2001073543A2 PCT/IB2001/000648 IB0100648W WO0173543A2 WO 2001073543 A2 WO2001073543 A2 WO 2001073543A2 IB 0100648 W IB0100648 W IB 0100648W WO 0173543 A2 WO0173543 A2 WO 0173543A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
unit
network
disk image
master disk
software code
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2001/000648
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001073543A3 (fr
Inventor
Thierry Raymond
Richard Mousties
Fabrice Bellamy
Original Assignee
Si Automation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Si Automation filed Critical Si Automation
Priority to AU48680/01A priority Critical patent/AU4868001A/en
Priority to EP01921712A priority patent/EP1311944A2/fr
Publication of WO2001073543A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001073543A2/fr
Publication of WO2001073543A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001073543A3/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F8/00—Arrangements for software engineering
    • G06F8/60—Software deployment
    • G06F8/61—Installation
    • G06F8/63—Image based installation; Cloning; Build to order

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to the deployment of computer equipments in network-based computer systems, in particular those sytems as implemented in industrial plants for controlling and monitoring the operation of the various equipments of the plant.
  • a deployment is meant here as the installation and the replacement (both from the hardware and software standpoints) of a piece of equipment such as a PC box.
  • PCs personal computers
  • I/O ports I/O ports
  • mass storage such as a hard disk
  • PCs personal computers
  • the conventional approach of the problem consists in replacing the full, hardware of the failing equipment with a fresh one, the hard disk of which is generally empty or merely loaded with basic operating system and application programs.
  • Another object of the present invention is to rely on a script-based engine for programming and performing such software installation and configuration.
  • the present invention aims at providing such method.
  • the present invention provides according to a first aspect, in a network computer system including a plurality of individual computer units connected to each other through a network, a method for rapid installation of an individual computer unit, said method including the following steps: a) at the manufacturing stage of each individual computer unit: preparing at least one master disk image containing a plurality of computer programs and associated parameters, - assigning to each master disk image a unique software code value representative of a , software configuration corresponding to the contents of said master disk image; during the process of manufacturing each individual computer unit, loading into a mass memory of said individual computer unit the contents of a selected master disk image and providing on said unit readable information representative of the software code value assigned to said selected master disk image; b) when an individual computer unit is to be installed on the network:
  • the present invention also provides according to a second aspect a network computer system including a plurality of individual computer units connected to each other through a network, and soft installation and configuration means for rapid installation of an individual computer unit, said system further including a masse storage containing at least one master disk image containing a plurality of computer programs and associated parameters, wherein a unique software code value is assigned to each master disk image and is representative of a software configuration corresponding to the contents of said master disk image, wherein a mass memory of each individual computer unit is initially loaded with the contents of a selected master disk image, wherein said unit is provided with readable information representative of the software code value assigned to said selected master disk image, and wherein said soft installation and configuration means comprises for each additional unit to be added to the system : means for determining a software code value identifying the software configuration that should be used in said computer unit, - means for selecting from a set of individual computer units one unit having said software code value,
  • Figure 1 shows a user interface of a self- configuration and deployment aiding component of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a synopsis showing the global implementation of such component
  • Figure 3 is a state diagram of said component
  • Figure 4 is a synopsis showing the general architecture of a script-based component according to the present invention for configuring, parameter-setting and programming of the system according to the present invention
  • Figure 5 illustrates an example of a script generated with the component of Figure 4,
  • Figure 6 shows a list of script items together with associated icons
  • Figure 7 illustrates the tree structure of an first exemplary script
  • Figure 8 is a source code of a method included in the exemplary script of Figure 7, implemented in a dynamic link library,
  • Figure 9 illustrates the tree structure of a second exemplary script
  • Figure 10 is a source code of a method included in the exemplary script of Figure 9, implemented in said dynamic link library
  • Figure 11 is a example of a deployment sheet as printed after deployment according to the present invention
  • Figure 12 is an example of a certificate of authenticity delivered after deployment according to the present invention.
  • the main purpose of the present invention is to generate a software configuration, for instance in a conventional hard disk, flash memory or equivalent of an industrial PC or the like, which is pre-initialized and which requires only minor manual configuration operations when the PC is to be put into operation in an industrial computer network or when such PC is to replace a existing PC of the network which does not work properly or does not work at all, for whatever reason.
  • a preliminary step STEP-1 is a conventional step when implementing a PC in an industrial computerized network intended to control and to monitor an industrial process. Such step consists in analyzing, developing and testing the set of operating systems, application programs, resources, parameters, data, etc. which have to reside in the permanent memory of the PC in order to make it work according to the needs .
  • Such set of programs ⁇ and data is called "functional disk image”.
  • Such step involves a preliminary process including the following sub-steps: - SSTEP-1.1: analyzing the needs of the customer, relation with the industrial and network environment, en particular the network architecture;
  • SSTEP-1.2 selecting the right application software (most often a publicly available automation software) , operating system and additional software tools;
  • - SSTEP-1.4 determining the values of typical configuration parameters of the operating system and the application software, such as network parameters, access rights, passwords, etc.); the parameters of the automation software are determined, in a manner known per se, according to the type(s) of automation equipment (s) connected to the PC box and to the operations intended to be performed by such equipment in the industrial process of the customer;
  • - SSTEP-1.5 preparing a reference document describing the whole procedures to be performed for generating a reference disk image, and attributing a unique software code value to the reference disk image to be generated accordingly;
  • - SSTEP-1.6 validating the choices of the various pieces of software and related parameters, with particular concern of the availability of the software and its operating stability;
  • - SSTEP-1.7 generating a reference disk image according to the contents of the reference document prepared in SSTEP-1.5, by adequate installation and parameter setting procedures;
  • - SSTEP-1.8 preliminary test of the reference disk image on a special platform which simulates the environment of the customer site; if such test reveals any defects, appropriate sub-steps from SSTEP-1.1 to SSTEP-1.7 are executed again as necessary to bring the adequate corrections;
  • - SSTEP-1.9 once the testing in SSTEP-1.8 is successful, this sub-step consists in testing the reference disk image on the customer site, by a deployment procedure which will be described in detail herebelow; here again, whenever such on-site testing reveals any defect, appropriate sub-steps from SSTEP-1.1 to SSTEP-1.7 are executed again as necessary to make the adequate corrections; - SSTEP-1.10: once the on-site testing is successful, the . reference disk image is validated, the reference document prepared in SSTEP-1.5 is given an adequate protection attribute so that in cannot be changed again except in special circumstances, and the reference disk image can be used as a master disk image (MDI) in the process of manufacturing the PC boxes.
  • MDI master disk image
  • the next step STEPO consists in initializing a disk image at a relevant stage of the PC box manufacturing process.
  • Such step includes the following sub-steps: - SSTEP0.1: formatting and if necessary partitioning the PC box hard disk;
  • SSTEP0.3 individualizing the hard disk by inputting - e.g. via a keyboard connected to the PC box - and writing into the hard disk various data which characterize the hard disk contents, inter alia:
  • step STEPl includes the necessary operations for testing and validating the full PC box (hardware and software) at the end of the- PC box manufacturing process. Such operations include:
  • SSTEP1.1 a first power-on boot of the PC box, which has to be successful in order to make possible the validation of the system and to expect a correct boot when the PC will be put into operation in the industrial plant (cf. STEP2) ;
  • SSTEP1.1 is performed by launching a specific deployment program (SDP) which will be described hereinafter in a first mode described as test booting mode;
  • SDP specific deployment program
  • ⁇ SSTEP1.3 launching a special test program for aiding semi-automatic functional test of the PC box, in relationship with a special test station on a test network at the PC box manufacturing site;
  • - SSTEP1.5 if the tests in the previous sub-step are successful, then validating the results; else, making appropriate corrections and getting back to SSTEP1.3; - SSTEP1.6: after the above validation sub-step, a flag is set in the specific deployment program SDP so as to cause the latter to run in a second, on-site booting mode the next time it will be launched;
  • the PC box may now be delivered to the customer.
  • step (STEP2) is the first on-site deployment of the delivered PC box.
  • This step involves the specific deployment program SDP running in a second mode of operation and includes the following operations:
  • SSTEP0.2 is older than the version stored in the configuration file server (SSTEP2.3) ;
  • step STEP2 is performed either when a PC box is to be installed for the first time in the industrial environment, or when the PC box is intended to replace a pre-existing, defective PC box.
  • the procedure for replacement of a defective PC box is substantially identical to the procedure for installation of a fresh PC box.
  • the PC box After STEP2 has been performed, the PC box is ready for effective operation on the network system.
  • the next step STEP3 consists in starting or launching the automation software; during the initial stage of the launch, the appropriate configuration files of the automation software are fetched through the network in the configuration file server. Optionally, and as known per se, such configuration files are fetched each time the automation software is launched again, in order to load into the PC box any configuration updates that may have occurred in the meantime.
  • such global deployment program is based on a main engine consisting of a software embarked in the PC box.
  • Such deployment program has a user interface for instance as shown in figure 1 of the drawings.
  • This shows a Microsoft Windows"-type window having a display area, a list of items, and three buttons ""Next", “Back” and “Quit” .
  • the list enables the user to be informed of the status of the deployment software, such list ending with
  • the PC box software system SYST includes the deployment program Deploy which includes the a graphical user interface GUI cooperating with a script engine.
  • Said script engine is in communication (i) with a plant server though the plant network, and (ii) with local configuration scripts stored in the hard disk of the PC box.
  • the system SYST enables the calling of procedures (API) in relationship with the operating system as well as the calling of utility programs belonging to the operating system.
  • Figure 3 shows the state diagram of the deployment software, including the basic states corresponding to STEPO, STEP1, STEP2 and STEP3 as defined above. Transitions are: - from STEPO to STEP1 and vice versa;
  • Such engine is operated on the basis of scripts which are basically text files of directives written according to a pre-defined macro language and to a structure of diagram and transition between states.
  • StateEngine receives script functions to be executed from (i) standard Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) 102 and from (ii) additional, specialized Dynamic Link Libraries.
  • DLLs Dynamic Link Libraries
  • the engine is capable of accessing (i) text files of config parameters and (ii) text files of state logic programs.
  • the standard DLLs includes the code of the standard set of functions of the scripting language.
  • the specialized DLLs includes an additional code of supplementary functions which are specialized according to the needs of specific ⁇ application programs to be fitted in the PC box. Typically, these functions correspond to specifically developed drivers for said application programs.
  • Creating the additional, specialized DLLs is typically performed by conventional programming in a compilable language .
  • the deployment program uses a specialized DLL containing specific functions in relation with the PC box operating system.
  • the operating system is "Windows NT" (trademark of Microsoft, Corp.)
  • such functions typically are API interfaces and more generally interfaces that use the utility programs of the operating system.
  • Another specialized DLL is the man/machine interface as briefly described above, allowing to display and to input deployment information.
  • An example of a script for the deployment program is shown in Figure 5. This script has been developed with the basic and well known script creation tool "State Model builder”.
  • FIG. 7 shows an example of a specialized "System” DLL used in the deployment program, corresponding to the re-booting of the PC box.
  • This DDL includes a "Reboot” state, which is represented as having no sub-states and no specific variables.
  • the "Reboot” state has two actions as listed under the "Actions” item.
  • the "Enter” action designates the handling of the event which has activated the "Reboot” state, together with possible initialization.
  • the "ButtonlPressed” action is triggered by the user depressing a button “Reboot validation" in the man/machine interface, such action calling four processing methods SetButtons, SetInfo, SetStep and Reboot.
  • the first three methods are basic setting steps, while the method Reboot corresponds to the rebooting action per se. It is shown under the Reboot method that such method includes no calling parameters nor any returned results.
  • Such code includes in particular a standard API function
  • Figure 9 illustrates the script of a somewhat more complex function of the deployment program, i.e. the function of configuring the network name of the PC box.
  • FIG. 10 An exemplary code for the "SetComputerName” method is shown in Figure 10. It includes inter alia a function “SetNetBiosName”, and further calls various specialized tools for manipulating system parameters in order to implement the NetBiosName change in the system.
  • Figure 11 shows a deployment report generated by the deployment program SDP in second mode.
  • Figure 12 shows a certificate of authenticity associated to a given PC box and generated by the deployment program SDP in the first mode, containing inter alia the "Software code” ST8AL1.1 which designates the master disk image loaded in said given PC box.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Software Systems (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Stored Programmes (AREA)

Abstract

Dans un système informatique en réseau, comportant des unités informatiques sur réseau, ce procédé facilitant l'installation rapide d'une unité comporte les opérations suivantes : (a), étape de création de l'unité : préparation d'au moins une image de disque maître contenant plusieurs programmes informatiques ainsi que les paramètres associés, attribution à chaque image de disque maître d'une valeur de code logiciel unique, représentative d'une configuration de logiciel correspondant au contenu de ladite image de disque, lors de la création de chaque unité, il est procédé à un chargement dans sa mémoire de masse du contenu d'une image de disque maître sélectionnée de même qu'il est fourni à cette unité une information lisible représentative de la valeur de code logiciel attribuée à l'image sélectionnée, (b), au moment de l'installation de l'unité dans le réseau, détermination d'une valeur de code logiciel identifiant la configuration de logiciel à utiliser dans ledit ordinateur et ce, à l'aide de l'information lisible, sélection, dans un ensemble d'unités, de celle possédant ladite valeur de code logiciel, connexion de cette unité sélectionnée au réseau et installation provisoire de ladite unité, ce qui repose sur une mise en communication de l'unité et d'un serveur de configuration du réseau à distance, et, enfin, approvisionnement de l'unité en données, afin de procéder à une mise au point fine du contenu de la mémoire de masse de l'unité.
PCT/IB2001/000648 2000-03-30 2001-03-30 Procede et systeme relatifs a un deploiement sur site d'un equipement informatique dans un environnement informatique en reseau WO2001073543A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU48680/01A AU4868001A (en) 2000-03-30 2001-03-30 Method and system for fast on site deployment of computer equipment in a networkcomputer environment
EP01921712A EP1311944A2 (fr) 2000-03-30 2001-03-30 Procede et systeme relatifs a un deploiement sur site d'un equipement informatique dans un environnement informatique en reseau

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US53998900A 2000-03-30 2000-03-30
US09/539,989 2000-03-30

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WO2001073543A2 true WO2001073543A2 (fr) 2001-10-04
WO2001073543A3 WO2001073543A3 (fr) 2003-03-13

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AU (1) AU4868001A (fr)
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WO (1) WO2001073543A2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005101199A1 (fr) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-27 Fujitsu Siemens Computers Gmbh Procede de configuration specifique utilisateur d'un ordinateur d'un groupe d'ordinateurs prestructures
US10316469B2 (en) 2014-12-16 2019-06-11 Ecolab Usa Inc. On-line control and reaction process for pH adjustment

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5604906A (en) * 1995-02-06 1997-02-18 Apple Computer, Inc. Method and apparatus for installing software block-by block via an image of the target storage device
WO1999063434A1 (fr) * 1998-06-04 1999-12-09 Gateway, Inc. Distribution de logiciels par constructeur d'images

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5604906A (en) * 1995-02-06 1997-02-18 Apple Computer, Inc. Method and apparatus for installing software block-by block via an image of the target storage device
WO1999063434A1 (fr) * 1998-06-04 1999-12-09 Gateway, Inc. Distribution de logiciels par constructeur d'images

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005101199A1 (fr) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-27 Fujitsu Siemens Computers Gmbh Procede de configuration specifique utilisateur d'un ordinateur d'un groupe d'ordinateurs prestructures
US8051416B2 (en) 2004-03-31 2011-11-01 Fujitsu Siemens Computers Gmbh Method for a user-specific configuration of a computer from a group of prepared computers
US10316469B2 (en) 2014-12-16 2019-06-11 Ecolab Usa Inc. On-line control and reaction process for pH adjustment

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Publication number Publication date
TW498276B (en) 2002-08-11
AU4868001A (en) 2001-10-08
EP1311944A2 (fr) 2003-05-21
WO2001073543A3 (fr) 2003-03-13

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