Abstract: The present invention provides a server which distributes firmware to an image forming apparatus, the server including a determination unit configured to determine whether the firmware distributed to the image forming apparatus is released now, and a transmission unit configured to, when the firmware determined by the determination unit not to be released now has not been applied to the image forming apparatus, transmit instruction information containing an instruction to prevent application of the firmware to the image forming apparatus, and when the firmware determined by the determination unit not to be released now has been applied to the image forming apparatus, transmit instruction information containing an instruction to obtain either of alternative firmware and downgrade firmware to the firmware and apply the obtained firmware.

Abstract: A method and system for managing maintenance events in an enterprise computing environment. A client receives a maintenance file associated with a maintenance event from a server. The client device stores the maintenance file in local storage (e.g., cache), without installing the maintenance file. Subsequently, the client device receives an instruction from the server to install the previously downloaded and stored maintenance file.

Abstract: An administrator system can generate a version identifier for a computing system based on the software packages installed on a computing system. The version identifier can represent the software packages installed on the computing system. The administrator system can identify the software packages installed on a computing system and data specific to the software packages. The administrator system can apply a hash function to the specific data to generate hashed data. Then, the administrator system can concentrate the hashed data to generate the version identifier.

Abstract: An apparatus saves first and second programs stored in a storage unit as saved information before the first and the second programs are updated. If the update of the first program is finished and then an error occurs while the second program is being updated, the information processing apparatus restores the second program which is being updated to the program yet to be updated based on the saved information and also restores the first program whose update is finished to the program yet to be updated based on the saved information.

Abstract: Providing secure web application development and operation. In a web development environment, code developed for the web application is analyzed to identify vulnerabilities and remedial actions are identified. The remedial actions may be automatically invoked or a developer can be prompted to take particular actions to remediate the vulnerability.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus, the method comprising: responsive to a user of a mobile device selecting a specific application, starting a parent application with a parameter associated with the specific application, wherein the parent application is configured to provide a functionality of the specific application; retrieving from a local database in the mobile device a configuration of the specific application, wherein the configuration comprises a set of modules used by the specific application and a manner of usage thereof; and activating the set of modules to provide the functionality of the specific application by the parent application.

Abstract: A provisioning server can import a software distribution and determine the type of distribution in order to integrate the software distribution in the software provisioning environment. The provisioning server can be configured to determine a type for the software distribution. Once determined, the provisioning server can be configured to locate a configuration template that matches the type of the software distribution. The configuration template can allow the generation of a configuration file that enables the software distribution to be incorporated into software provisioning processes, automatically. Once located, the provisioning server can be configured to generate a profile for the imported software distribution.

Abstract: In a method for making a recommendation for installing a software patch on a target computer, a computer identifies a first and a second set of computers from a group of computers. Each computer in the first set has hardware and software components, which are identical to each other or differ from each other by less than a predetermined measure. Each computer in the second set has hardware and software components, which are identical to each other or differ from each other by less than a predetermined measure. The computer selects one of the first and the second sets of computers such that the selected set of computers includes a higher number of computers with the software patch already installed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for upgrading CPE firmware. An upgradable module in the CPE firmware is resolved. Detail information of the module is added to a configuration management file. The implementation of an upgrade management of the upgradable module in the firmware via the configuration management file allows for convenient selection of a corresponding module upgrade. When one module fails a validation during a downloading process, the need to perform a re-download process is obviated for other modules, thus solving the shortcoming in the prior art, in which a unified interface is used for the upgrade of all modules, of having to re-download all module upgrade packets when the validation fails during the download process, thereby improving the efficiency and ease of user of the upgrading.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for identifying criticality of a software fix. The mechanism obtains a criticality description associated with a software fix of a software product deployed on the data processing system. The mechanism determines a criticality value of the software fix based on computing environment of the data processing system and customer usage of the software product on the data processing system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for maintaining base stations are provided. In this regard, a representative system, among others, includes at least one base station that is electrically coupled to a server. The base station includes memory and a first boot code that is stored in the memory. The first boot code has a first set of instructions, which is configured to initialize a control module and a network device. The first set of instructions is further configured to instruct the initialized control module and network device to establish a connection between the server and the base station and download a second boot code from the server into the memory of the base station. The second boot code has a second set of instructions, which is different than the first set of instructions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating firmware using a firmware-over-the-air update. The apparatus comprises a plurality of repository files each comprising one or more settings. The apparatus is configured to store a specified value corresponding to at least one of the settings. The apparatus is capable of receiving a firmware over-the-air update which overwrites at least one repository file with an updated version. The apparatus is capable of identifying repository files which have been changed by the update and for which at least one corresponding specified value exists. Identification is achieved by comparing representations of repository files. Further, the apparatus is capable of merging updated repository files to retain specified values.

Abstract: A system for extending an enterprise resource planning application is provided. The system employs “Add-ins” that each have a functional behavior that is independent of the client on which it executes and a user interface behavior that is dependent on the characteristics of the display, and other characteristics, of the client (i.e., a display target). When a user attempts to invoke an Add-in via the client runtime, the client runtime determines whether the Add-in is available at the user's computer. If not, the client runtime downloads the appropriate artifact for execution at the user's computer. In this environment, neither the client runtime nor the server-side business logic contains the logic used to implement a particular Add-in behavior on the supported display targets. Instead, this logic is contained within separate artifacts associated with a single Add-in having a particular behavior, each artifact implementing the behavior for a specific display target.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for receiving security content utilizing a serial over LAN connection. In use, an unsuccessful attempt to connect to a network for accessing security content at a remote second device is indicated by a first device, where the unsuccessful attempt results from a malfunction at the first device. Further, the security content is received at the first device utilizing a serial over local area network (LAN) connection established with the remote second device, based on the indication.

Abstract: Software update information is communicated to a network appliance either across a network or from a local memory device. The software update information includes kernel data, application data, or indicator data. The network appliance includes a first storage device, a second storage device, an operating memory, a central processing unit (CPU), and a network adapter. First and second storage devices are persistent storage devices. In a first example, both kernel data and application data are updated in the network appliance in response to receiving the software update information. In a second example, only the kernel data is updated in the network appliance in response to receiving the software update information. In a third example, only the application data is updated in the network appliance in response to receiving the software update information. Indicator data included in the software update information determines the data to be updated in the network appliance.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a method for creating a dialog system that provides a framework for creating a multi-modal dialog application and includes a runtime application package (RAP) enabling runtime media grammars, prompts, classifiers, and so forth, to be separate from a multi-modal dialog application that utilizes the RAP. Embodiments disclosed herein enable newly trained runtime media supporting the multi-modal dialog application to be deployed with ease, and to do so while a dialog service is in operation. Embodiments disclosed herein enable the multi-modal dialog application to be created, deployed, and maintained in an easy and flexible manner, saving an end-user that may be providing the multi-modal dialog application to customers both time and cost.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a system and apparatus for providing a telematics system user with an improved texting experience. A messaging experience engine database enables voice avatar/personality selection, acronym conversion, shorthand conversion, and custom audio and video mapping. As an interpreter of the messaging content that is passed through the telematics system, the system eliminates the need for a user to manually manipulate a texting device, or to read such a device. The system recognizes functional content and executes actions based on the identified functional content.

Abstract: A provisioning server can provide and utilize a diagnostic tool to test and interrogate hardware on target machines and to collect data from the hardware. The diagnostic tool can operate on the target machine independently of software already installed on the target machine. The diagnostic tool can interrogate hardware of the target machine and collect data from the hardware of the target machine. The provisioning server can select the diagnostic tool from a set of pre-generated diagnostic tools or generate a custom diagnostic tool tailored to a specific target machine. The provisioning server can interact directly with the diagnostic tool or interact with the diagnostic tool utilizing a network management server. Once data is collected, the provisioning server can be configured to store the collected data and/or output the data to other parties or systems.

Abstract: Techniques for generating a software update include determining changes between a previous version of a software package and a new version of the software package. Whether each change can be implemented as automatic correction instructions that can be executed by a client computer system is determined. Automatic correction instructions are generated for changes that can be implemented as automatic correction instructions. Manual correction instructions are generated for changes that cannot be implemented as automatic correction instructions, including, for each of those changes, identifying a corresponding template for a text string for the change from a repository of templates and including the text string in the manual correction instruction.

Abstract: System and method for agentless computing system configuration management in networked environments. A configuration management service may be implemented as a service on a network with a standard network interface. A client may communicate with the service to specify a configuration for a target system, for example through a browser interface. The specified configuration may be stored by the service. The service may generate a package according to the specified configuration. The package may be delivered to the target system via the network. The package may then install the configuration, for example, one or more software, data, or other digital components, on the target systems in accordance with the specified configuration. The clients may request that the service verify and/or update the installed configuration on the target system. The service may, in response, generate an update package for the installed configuration. Target systems may include computer systems and virtual machines.

Abstract: A multi-tenant system can be switched to a downtime state to implement a transition from a current state to a target state of a core software platform. During a second phase of the transition an error associated with tenant-specific content of a first customer tenant of the plurality of customer tenants of the multi-tenant system can be identified. The second phase can be suspended for the first customer tenant while continuing the second phase for a remainder of the plurality of customer tenants for which an error has not been identified. After a scheduled duration of the downtime state, the multi-tenant system can be reactivated such that the multi-tenant system includes the remainder of the plurality of customer tenants with the transition implemented and the first customer tenant either with the transition implemented if the error has been corrected or without the transition implemented if the error has not been corrected.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing computer cluster policies for implementation in computer cluster environments may include (1) identifying a computer cluster environment capable of executing a plurality of applications, (2) creating a computer cluster policy that (a) identifies, within the plurality of applications, at least one dependent application that is dependent upon at least one other application and (b) identifying at least one platform-agnostic action to be performed on the dependent application in response to detection of at least one event associated with the other application, and then (3) providing the computer cluster policy to high-availability software installed in the computer cluster environment to enable the high-availability software to implement the computer cluster policy in the computer cluster environment. Various other systems, methods, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A provisioning server can remotely determine target machines, requiring a hardware update, and remotely provide the hardware updates to the target machines. The provisioning server can identify hardware updates for target machines in a network it serves. The provisioning server can operate in conjunction with a network management server in order to identify the target machines, requiring the hardware update. The provisioning server can generate the hardware update for the target machines and provide the hardware update to the target machines.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to update multiple devices disposed in a computing system comprising a plurality of devices. The method receives a request to perform a firmware image update for a plurality of designated target devices, where each of those designated target devices comprises a first firmware image, and where the request comprises a second firmware image. The method uploads the second firmware image to a shared memory device, where each of the designated target devices is in communication with that shared memory device, and broadcasts an update command to each of the plurality of devices. The method determines the device state of each of the designated target devices, and if each of the designated target devices reports either an operational device state or an error device state, then the method reports that the firmware update is complete.

Abstract: An electronic marketplace for service images permits users to browse descriptions of service images implementing desired functionalities of a virtual machine image. The described service images may contain one or more software applications and may be further offered for purchase through an electronic service image marketplace. Notifications, such as updates, regarding software applications contained within a service image can be uploaded to the electronic service image marketplace. The electronic service image marketplace identifies customers associated with service images containing outdated software applications and generates notifications for the customers.

Abstract: Mechanisms are disclosed for updating a virtual machine monitor (“VMM”). Facilities of a guest operating system running in a guest virtual machine managed by the VMM are leveraged to facilitate receiving an update package. The update package may contain updates for guest operating systems extensions in addition to a VMM update. An updater process, running in a guest operating system, extracts the VMM update and transfers it down to the VMM. Upon successful transfer, the updater process applies any necessary updates to guest operating systems extensions and then signals the VMM to commit the transferred VMM update.

Abstract: A system and method thereof for performing loss-less migration of an application group. In an exemplary embodiment, the system may include a high-availability services module structured for execution in conjunction with an operating system, and one or more computer nodes of a distributed system upon which at least one independent application can be executed upon. The high-availability services module may be structured to be executable on the one or more computer nodes for loss-less migration of the one or more independent applications, and is operable to perform checkpointing of all state in a transport connection.

Abstract: A portal is established between a software installer and a client to allow on-line management of a software implementation project. The installer of customizable software and the client may communicate through the portal to establish specifications for the software product. The software may be implemented by incorporating preconfigured software components into the software product. A portion of the preconfigured components may be modified based on the specifications of the client. The specifications may be identified by providing the client with a set-up wizard through the portal. The set-up wizard prompts the client for information and the software system may be configured based on logic generated in response to client input.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for performing a system upgrade. Responsive to receiving selection of one or more virtual machines to upgrade with an upgrade package, the mechanism identifies a plurality of upgrade phases. The mechanism configures the plurality of upgrade phases and generates a pre-upgrade snapshot of each of the one or more virtual machines. The mechanism performs each upgrade phase in the plurality of upgrade phases to form an upgraded virtual machine and performs one or more upgrade validation tests on the upgraded virtual machine. Responsive to the one or more upgrade validation tests succeeding, the mechanism reverts back to the pre-upgrade snapshot.

Abstract: A cloud connector key includes a network interface configured to connect to a network, a mass storage interface configured to connect to a network isolated device, and a computation module operatively connected to the network interface and the mass storage interface. The computational module is configured to connect to a cloud repository using the network interface by obtaining, from storage on the cloud connector key, a network address of the cloud repository, requesting connection to the cloud repository using the network address, and authenticating, using credentials in the storage on the cloud connector key, to an account in the cloud repository. The computational module is further configured to transfer a file between the account in the cloud repository and a network isolated device via the mass storage interface.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering from a failure is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises downloading a first patch into a base station, installing the first patch, loading the first patch, and validating the first patch. Once the first patch has been validated, a second patch may be downloaded, installed, loaded, and verified. This incremental remediation approach allows for the conservation of resources if the system is non-recoverable, as this will become evident prior to a complete download and install is performed.

Abstract: A networked firmware management system is operable to manage firmware in one or more target devices by receiving one or more firmware target specifications from one or more target devices, the firmware target specifications each identifying a firmware target in the target device. The server stores the one or more received firmware target specification, associated with the one or more firmware targets in the target device. When the server receives a firmware update, the server matches a firmware attribute of the received firmware update against the one or more firmware target specifications stored in the server, and sends the received firmware update to any firmware targets in the target device having a firmware target specification that matches the received firmware update attribute.

Abstract: A system and method are described for performing application loading and visualization. In one embodiment, an application is accessed on a client to be deployed on the server. The client is in communication with machines having resources corresponding to the application. The application is then deployed on the server, and the deployed application on the server references a copy of the resources that already resides on the server.

Abstract: A method of reprogramming a flash memory of a liquid crystal display (LCD) in a presentation device can include using an external electronic diagnostic tool and a controller area network (CAN) diagnostic interface within the device to initiate data transfer. Data can be transmitted to an LCD microcontroller within the device using a high speed infrared link between the diagnostic tool and microcontroller. The data can be stored in a memory within the device in bi-directional communication with the microcontroller. Proper reception by the microcontroller of the infrared transmitted data can be verified by the diagnostic tool and the CAN diagnostic interface. A command can be issued from the diagnostic tool directing how to employ the data to reprogram the LCD.

Abstract: Providing content according to a distribution infrastructure. A content provider creates content and organizes the content into a channel. The content included in the channel is described by attributes associated with the channel. The channel is published to a processor and the processor hosts the published channel. A client computing device selectively subscribes to a plurality of published channels. The client computing device aggregates content form the plurality of subscribed channels and provides the aggregated content to a user in a single update experience.

Abstract: A walking robot and a control method thereof. The walking robot includes a main communication path, a subsidiary communication path, at least one master generating a communication protocol and transmitting the communication protocol through the main and subsidiary communication paths, and a plurality of slaves communicably connected to the at least one master through the main and subsidiary communication paths, increasing a value of an access counter of the communication protocol received through the main communication path, decreasing a value of the access counter of the communication protocol received through the subsidiary communication path, and forming loop-back paths connecting the main communication path and the subsidiary communication path when a communication error has occurred, wherein the at least one master judges whether or not the communication error has occurred from the values of the access counter of the communication protocol having passed through the plurality of slaves.

Abstract: A computer implemented method to monitor the distribution of software to computers on a network is provided. The network has a data source, for example a systems management tool, which stores data relating to downloads of software. It is desirable for the purpose of operating the network economically to monitor the distribution of software to users. The systems management tool is accessed to determine the number of the computers on the network which have received a particular item of software. That number is compared with a threshold number which is small compared to the number of computers on the network. If the number is less than the threshold that is taken as an indication that the particular item of software has been distributed to the computers by a download as a result of one or more individual requests by users of the computers.

Abstract: Multiple versions of a sequential dataset are maintained without storing the full file set for each version. A full file set for the current version is stored, as well as a chain of forward and/or reverse patches between adjacent versions. New content for the dataset is received, and a new current version is built that includes this new content. Patches between the new and immediately previous versions are built and stored. When a request is received from a client for an update to the current version, multiple patches of the chain are merged, from the client version of the dataset to the current version. This merging of patches creates a single direct delta, which comprises all operations for updating the client version to the current version. The direct delta is then transmitted to the client.

Abstract: Websites, including supporting databases, are updated with little or no downtime. In one aspect, a database is replicated prior to updating, so that updates can be performed on one copy while the other remains operational. In another aspect, the data remains in one location while an application programming interface for interacting with the data using new software code is introduced. Another application programming interface remains operational while the update is taking place. Public and private synonyms are used to direct web traffic to the appropriate application programming interface during the update process.

Abstract: Techniques for guaranteeing that a software program is executed on a machine only during designated periods of time are provided. Service windows define time periods during which software programs targeted to execute on a machine are allowed to execute on the machine. On the machine, the service windows work in conjunction with a client process that is executing on the machine to guarantee execution of the software programs by the client process only during available service windows.

Abstract: An upgrade procedure may be executed at a network device to allow the network device to automatically upgrade an operating system to a new operating system. The upgrade procedure may include receiving a bootable image file of an upgrade operating system that is different from an operating system being run by the network device and which uses a file system format that is different from the file system format of the operating system being run by the network device. The bootable image file includes a binary file format that conforms to the file system format used by the upgrade operating system. The network device allocates contiguous space on a drive of the network device and copies the bootable image file to the contiguous space. The network device also modifies a master boot record of the drive such that the contiguous space on the drive is reflected in the master boot record as a bootable partition of the drive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting module (3) for connecting at least one sensor (2), effector, or actuator to a service-oriented-architecture, called SOA, network (4), wherein a functionality of the at least one sensor (2) is mapped as a service in the SOA network (4). In order to enable the integration of sensors (2) that are not SOA-capable in themselves into an SOA environment, the connecting module (3) has at least one first interface (3.2) for connecting the at least one sensor (2), effector, or actuator, at least one second interface (3.4) for connecting the SOA network (4), and a computing device (7) for executing a computer program, wherein a part (8.1) of the computer program to be executed is specified by default and another part (8.2) of the computer program is freely programmable by a manufacturer of the at least one sensor (2) in order to adapt firmware on the at least one sensor (2) to the SOA environment.

Abstract: A computer receives information from a user, which includes the identity of and installation preferences for the software to be installed on a second computer. Information about the environment of the second computer is gathered by the computer. The computer defines a set of search parameters based on the information received and the environment of the second computer. The computer searches for data stored on storage devices and the Internet. The computer retrieves the data, associated to a second installation of the software on a third computer, which relates to the installation of software on the second computer. The computer generates guidance for installation of the software on the second computer, based on the identity of the software to be installed, installation preferences for the software to be installed, the environment of the second computer, and the data associated to an installation of the software on a third computer.

Abstract: A method for retrofitting a processor cluster with application software in a communication network is described herein. In one implementation, the method comprises dividing a processor cluster into a plurality of application processor groups, wherein the processor cluster comprises a plurality of application processors. The application software is retrofitted on an application processor group selected from the plurality of application processor groups, to obtain a retrofitted application processor group. Further, sessions of a subsequent application processor group are preserved on the retrofitted application processor group. The application software is retrofitted onto the subsequent application processor group.

Abstract: In contrast to conventional approaches in which an update to a business software architecture generally involves performing update procedures during a period of business downtime followed by an import of customer-specific transport requests also during business downtime, the current subject matter can facilitate import of the customer transport requests in parallel with update to a core software platform of the business software architecture.

Abstract: At the time of a maintenance work, a user computing machine does not give user data to a person (maintainer) who carries out maintenance and does not accept operations and data that are not relevant to the maintenance work so as to prevent the leakage of user data. Specifically, a user computing machine includes: a user data determination section determining whether a file of a VM of a computing machine used by a user is data created by the user, and a VM copy section, creating a copy of a VM which does not include data created by the user by calling the user data determination section. The maintenance is performed by supplying the VM which does not include data created by the user to a computing machine of the maintainer.

Abstract: A method configures, in a semi-automatic manner, a communication device, connected to a packet-switched network, especially Internet, for communication with another, especially remote, subscriber. For this purpose, configuration data are provided on a configuration/software update server and are retrieved by the user of the device according to the user-specific or device-specific conditions by selecting from at least two types of inquiry data characterizing the conditions, e.g. inquiry data containing first country information items and second inquiry data containing second Internet service provider information items, and determination data.

Abstract: In an automatic remote metering system in accordance with the invention a method is provided for reprogramming each client utility meter from a host computer by downloading a reprogram first program from the host to a corresponding hub utility meter fourth memory portion via a communications link, verifying integrity of the reprogram first program, and downloading the reprogram first program from the hub utility meter to the client utility meter via a radio frequency link and overwriting the client utility meter first program code with the reprogram first program code.

Abstract: In-service upgrade of software can be achieved efficiently when software modules pass data using message or data queues. The use of data queues facilitates the transition from a software module's old behavior to a new behavior without risking a deadlock or dropped module call. Upgradeable objects connect to process objects that maintain the queues and their state data, and upgrade objects connect to the process objects of their predecessors.

Abstract: A computer receives information from a user, which includes the identity of and installation preferences for the software to be installed on a second computer. Information about the environment of the second computer is gathered by the computer. The computer defines a set of search parameters based on the information received and the environment of the second computer. The computer searches for data stored on storage devices and the Internet. The computer retrieves the data, associated to a second installation of the software on a third computer, which relates to the installation of software on the second computer. The computer generates guidance for installation of the software on the second computer, based on the identity of the software to be installed, installation preferences for the software to be installed, the environment of the second computer, and the data associated to an installation of the software on a third computer.