Platform Independent Imaging Method And System

Abstract

A method and system for defining a platform independent image on a medium readable by an information handling system determines a core operating system, enterprise configurations and a driver file for each of plural platform model types with one or more installation functions operable to install the enterprise configurations in an operating system of an information handling system having one of the plural platform model types. The installation function determines the platform model type of an information handling system loaded with the platform independent image and configures the core operating system with the enterprise configurations and a driver file associated with the determined platform model type.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates in general to the field of information handling system configurations, and more particularly relates to a platform independent imaging method and system for configuring software of an information handling system platform.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and / or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the info...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enables rapid and flexible installation of software configurations across various hardware platforms, reducing installation time from hours to minutes and simplifying management by supporting multiple platforms with a single image, while allowing for easy updates and additions of new platforms.

Problems solved by technology

However, the use of varied hardware platforms and software configurations typically introduces complexity to the purchase and maintenance of information handling systems for an enterprise.

In the event that difficulties arise after the information handling system is delivered, the business enterprise may re-install the software configuration by using the image or unattended installation used by the manufacturer.

One difficulty with maintaining a uniform software configuration for a business enterprise is that the image and unattended installation techniques for loading a software configuration lack the flexibility and reliability for re-installation across a wide variety of platforms of a business enterprise.

Image installations arc generally fast, simple and static, however, image installations generally require one image for each target platform and are inflexible in that any software configuration changes generally require the creation of a new image.

In addition, transitions to new platforms usually require the creation of a new image with image management for multiple different platforms prone to expensive mistakes.

However, unattended installations are generally difficult to create and modify and have a slow installation speed, often in excess of an hour, that typically precludes information handling system manufacturers from the use of unattended installations.

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