Bulk SAN Agent Installation with Prerequisite Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional agent installation in large storage area networks is time-consuming and error-prone due to the need for individual copy operations and the complexity of managing multiple agents across various operating systems and hosts, with potential interruptions from missing prerequisites.
Innovation Solution
A bulk install mechanism that uses a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to specify agents for installation across multiple hosts, evaluates prerequisites in bulk, and coordinates the transfer of required files through a master agent, ensuring prerequisites are met before installation, thus preventing partial failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual copy operations are performed for each agent and related files, then installation can be completed, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual agent installation operations into a single bulk installation process. The system evaluates prerequisites for multiple agents across multiple hosts and installs them in one coordinated operation, rather than requiring separate installation steps for each agent. This merging of operations directly reduces installation time while maintaining reliability through comprehensive prerequisite checking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary evaluation of prerequisites for all agents before the actual installation begins. By checking disk space, available services, and other requirements in advance across all target hosts, the system prevents installation failures and interruptions during the bulk install process, thereby reducing total time spent on retries and corrections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple agents are installed across various operating systems and hosts, then comprehensive monitoring capability is achieved, but the complexity of managing the installation process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal bulk installation mechanism that can handle multiple agent types across different operating systems (Windows, Linux, UNIX) and multiple hosts simultaneously. The system uses a standardized evaluation and installation process that adapts to different environments, reducing the complexity of managing diverse installation requirements through a single unified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation mechanism that mediates between the installation request and the actual installation process. This intermediary layer checks prerequisites, coordinates file transfers, and manages the installation sequence, thereby simplifying the overall process complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability across diverse systems.
3Productivity
If prerequisites are not checked before installation, then installation can start immediately, but partial failures may occur during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary checks of all prerequisites (disk space, required services, system compatibility) before initiating the bulk installation process. This advance evaluation ensures that all necessary conditions are met across target hosts, preventing partial failures during installation and improving overall success rate without significantly delaying the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent takes preliminary anti-action by identifying and addressing potential installation failures before they occur. The system checks for insufficient disk space, missing services, and other prerequisite deficiencies in advance, and either alerts the user or automatically resolves issues before the installation begins, thereby preventing interruptions and ensuring reliable completion.
Data Source
AI summary
A bulk install which evaluates prerequisites and performs installations of agents for multiple remote host computers performs a prerequisite check to identify prerequisite files, resources, or other objects expected by each agent on the hosts, and identifies potential shortcomings or failures before installation. A GUI identifies agents for installation on a plurality of host computers, which allows agent specification on an agent type, operating system, or individual host basis. Install files for each agent are identified and retrieved from a common media repository for transport to the target host. The prerequisite checks are also performed in bulk prior to the bulk install, such that the checks prevent a failed prerequisite check from disrupting an entire install. Such bulk install operations mitigate the time-consuming, repetitive nature of the conventional single agent install by iteratively installing each of the agents on the proper host.