Parallel Diagnostic Software Installation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current manufacturing techniques for information handling systems involve a linear process of diagnostic testing and software installation, which can delay factory cycle times due to frequent automatic restarts and bottlenecks, necessitating an improved diagnostic/software installation system.
Innovation Solution
A parallel diagnostic/software installation system that utilizes a software staging engine to retrieve and install software on information handling systems during diagnostic testing, employing a faster direct connection for software delivery once testing is complete, thereby reducing factory cycle times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a linear process of diagnostic testing followed by software retrieval and installation is used, then the computing device can ensure proper hardware configuration verification, but the factory cycle time is delayed due to sequential processing and frequent restarts
Solution Approach 1:
The software staging device retrieves and stages the computing device software in advance while the computing device is performing diagnostic tests, rather than waiting for the diagnostic process to complete. This preliminary action eliminates the sequential dependency and reduces factory cycle time without compromising hardware verification reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A software staging device is introduced as an intermediary component between the software source and the computing device. This intermediary handles software retrieval, validation, and staging operations independently, allowing the computing device to focus on diagnostic testing without being blocked by software installation dependencies
2Productivity
If software is retrieved over the network during diagnostic testing, then the process can be parallelized, but the transmission rate limits the speed of software delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The software delivery process is segmented into two distinct phases: (1) network-based retrieval and validation phase during diagnostic testing, and (2) high-speed local transfer phase after diagnostic completion. This segmentation allows the system to leverage both parallel processing capability and high-speed transmission without compromising either objective
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimension network-based transfer to a two-dimension approach combining network retrieval with local high-speed storage. By adding the local storage dimension, the system achieves both parallel processing during diagnostics and rapid software deployment afterward
Data Source
AI summary
A parallel diagnostic/software installation system includes a computing device, a server device storing computing device software, and a software staging device that is coupled to the server device through a first connection that provides a first maximum transmission rate, and that is coupled to the computing device through a second connection that provides a second maximum transmission rate that is faster than the first transmission maximum rate. The software staging device receives a manifest of computing device software for installation on the computing device and then retrieves, from the server device through the first connection, at least a portion of the computing device software while the computing device is performing a diagnostic test on a first hardware configuration of the computing device. The software staging devices determines that the diagnostic test has completed and, in response, provides, to the computing device through the second connection, the computing device software.