International Business Machines Corporation

Robert H Satin

Michael James McDermott

Nathaniel Calvert

James Lee Naylor

Dennis R Martin

James S Effle

David L Johnston

Robert L Wenger

Gary A Turk

Helen M Olson-Williams

Dennis L Shaffer

Stuart D Plumlee

Alan Hlava

Paul Douglas Koeller

Mary Christine Manges

Gordon Gregory Stewart

Patricia A Timms

Arvin J Fisher

Michael K Russell

A software management structure is disclosed. A software application package is made up of several linked replaceable units (RU). Each RU is serviceable without adversely effecting the other RUs. The RUs are linked together in a hierarchical fashion in a series of levels. In the preferred embodiment, five levels are used: Application Group level (AG), Loadable Code Group level (LCG), Primary Functional Group level (PFG), Secondary Functional Group level (SFG), and Operational Code Group level (OCG). The AG level defines a group of computer programs combined to perform a high level application tailor fit to meet the needs of the user. The LCG level defines individual programs each created to perform a general task. The PFG level refines the common programs defined in the LCG level to a more specific set of primary functions. The SFG level refines the primary functions defined in the PFG level to an even more specialized set of secondary functions tailored closely to fit a specific user's needs. The OCG level contains the operational code needed to run the specialized user application package defined by the preceding four levels.

Software packaging structure having hierarchical replaceable units

The method of the present invention presents a plurality of option panels to a user, each option panel requiring at least one user input which specifies a system option for a selected data processing system. Thereafter, an installation profile is created utilizing these specified system options, including at least a description of the operating system to be utilized and a description of the data processing system hardware configuration. In one embodiment of the present invention this installation profile is then stored in conjunction with a complex multilevel software application on a portable storage media, such as a tape reel. Thereafter, the installation of the complex multilevel software application may be automatically accomplished by reference to the installation profile which contains those values which represent preset installation options. An operating system is installed utilizing the values set forth in the installation profile and the Initial Program Load (IPL) of the operating system is also accomplished utilizing the preset installation options contained within the installation profile.

Method for automated complex multilevel softward installation in a data

A method of pairing disk units in a computer system where mirroring is desirable is disclosed. Where possible, disk units are paired with other disk units located on a different bus. This provides the highest level of protection against inaccessible data due to data loss or failure of a component in the computer system. Where this is not possible, the remaining disk units are paired with disk units located on a different I/O processor, a different controller, or a different disk enclosure. Where none of these pairings are possible, the remaining disk units fall below the threshold level of protection and therefore cannot be paired within the segment. Any disk units that could not be paired are placed on a spare list. Several attempts are made to pair up disk units on the spare list. If all of these attempts fail, the paired disk units with the lowest level of protection are broken apart and added to the spare list, where attempts are again made to pair up the disk units on the spare list. After all units are paired, a pair of disk units is compared with other pairs of disk units to see if the level of protection can be increased by swapping mates. This comparison of pairs of disk units is repeated until the level of protection is optimized. Each time the computer system is started, a check is made to determine if a configuration change resulted in a lower level of protection. If so, the user is asked if he would like the disk units on the computer system to be re-paired to increase the level of protection.

Computer controlled optimized pairing of disk units

A method of pairing disk units in a computer system where mirroring is desirable is disclosed. Where possible, disk units are paired with other disk units located on a different bus. This provides the highest level of protection against inaccessible data due to data loss or failure of a component in the computer system. Where this is not possible, the remaining disk units are paired with disk units located on a different I/O processor, a different controller, or a different disk enclosure. Where none of these pairings are possible, the remaining disk units fall below the threshold level of protection and therefore cannot be paired within the segment. Any disk units that could not be paired are placed on a spare list. The paired disk units with the lowest level of protection are broken apart and added to the spare list, where attempts are again made to pair up the disk units on the spare list. After all units are paired, a pair of disk units is compared with other pairs of disk units to see if the level of protection can be increased by swapping mates. This comparison is repeated until the level of protection is optimized. Each time the computer system is started, a check is made to determine if a configuration change resulted in a lower level of protection. If so, the user is asked if he would like the disk units on the computer system to be re-paired to increase the level of protection.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, MN, United States of America

Robert H Satin