Automated Computer Migration via Unified Software Image
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer migration techniques are inefficient and impractical for large-scale enterprise environments, requiring manual processes and failing to integrate with asset management systems, especially when upgrading or replacing multiple computers with different operating systems and software configurations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for automatic computer and user migration using a single software image, created based on a software inventory, which is installed on target computers and verified for operation, incorporating a processor and database to manage the migration process, including preparation, validity checking, and reinstallation, and integrating with enterprise asset management systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual processes are used for software reinstallation and configuration during computer migration, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a software image that is a complete copy of the source computer's software environment, including operating system, applications, and configuration settings. This image is then deployed to target computers, eliminating the need for manual reinstallation and configuration. The software image serves as a replicable template that can be copied across multiple target systems, dramatically reducing migration time while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing and validating the software inventory from the source computer before migration occurs. The software image is prepared and validated in advance, ensuring all necessary software components are identified and packaged correctly. This preliminary software inventory validation prevents migration failures and reduces on-site configuration time, as the migration process can proceed with pre-validated software packages.
2Reliability
If conventional migration techniques using multiple file transfers are used, then detailed software information can be transferred, but integration with enterprise asset management systems is lost and process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the software migration process with enterprise asset management systems by integrating software inventory validation with existing asset management databases. The software image creation process is combined with asset management workflows, allowing the migration system to leverage existing enterprise infrastructure for tracking, managing, and validating software assets. This unified approach maintains migration accuracy while reducing system complexity through consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The software image serves multiple functions: it acts as a migration package, a validation artifact, and an asset management record simultaneously. The single software image can be used across different target computers with varying configurations, providing universal compatibility. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate file transfer processes and asset management updates, simplifying the overall migration system while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If a single software image is used for migration, then migration speed and efficiency improve, but adaptability to different target computer configurations may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by validating the software inventory against target computer specifications during the migration process. The software image contains configurable parameters that can be adjusted to match different target system configurations, hardware capabilities, and operating system versions. This allows a single software image to adapt to various target environments while maintaining migration speed, as the necessary parameter adjustments are made automatically during deployment rather than requiring separate images for each configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for automatic computer and user migration. The method may include obtaining a plurality of source computers with corresponding users and preparing the source computers such that at least one software image is created, based on a software inventory, for the source computers to be used to migrate the source computers and the users to a plurality of target computers. The method may also include installing the software image on the target computers and verifying operations of the target computers after the installation.