Upgrading a device over a network

Abstract

Upgrading a device over a network includes receiving a configurable script file, the script file containing data and commands, identifying a target device on a network using the data, and upgrading the target device using the commands. The script file is downloaded from a network device along with a computer program. The computer program is run to execute the commands and upgrade the device.

1 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a configurable script file, the script file containing data and commands;    identifying a target device on a network using the data; and    upgrading the target device using the commands.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein upgrading comprises upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 receiving comprises downloading the script file from a network device along with a computer program; and    upgrading comprises running the computer program to execute the commands.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the commands comprise instructions for upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the script file contains graphics data; and    the method further comprises generating a user interface using the graphics data, the user interface providing information for devices on the network that correspond to the data in the script file, the devices including the target device.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 selecting upgrading for the target device.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying comprises: 
 issuing a query over the network for devices that correspond to the data in the script file; and    receiving a response to the query from the target device.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the response comprises a code that identifies the target device as corresponding to the data in the script file.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 establishing a connection with the target device prior to upgrading the device;    storing information for establishing the connection; and    re-establishing the connection with the target device using the stored information after the device is upgraded.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 maintaining a log file that contains a record of the upgrading process.    
   
   
       11 . An article comprising: 
 a readable medium that stores executable instructions that cause a machine to: 
 receive a configurable script file, the script file containing data and commands;  
 identify a target device on a network using the data; and  
 upgrade the target device using the commands.  
   
   
   
       12 . The article of  claim 11 , wherein upgrading comprises upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.  
   
   
       13 . The article of  claim 11 , wherein: 
 receiving comprises downloading the script file from a network device along with a computer program; and    upgrading comprises running the computer program to execute the commands.    
   
   
       14 . The article of  claim 13 , wherein the commands comprise instructions for upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.  
   
   
       15 . The article of  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the script file contains graphics data; and    the article further comprises instructions to generate a user interface using the graphics data, the user interface providing information for devices on the network that correspond to the data in the script file, the devices including the target device.    
   
   
       16 . The article of  claim 15 , further comprising instructions that cause the machine to: 
 select upgrading for the target device.    
   
   
       17 . The article of  claim 11 , wherein identifying comprises: 
 issuing a query over the network for devices that correspond to the data in the script file; and    receiving a response to the query from the target device.    
   
   
       18 . The article of  claim 17 , wherein the response comprises a code that identifies the target device as corresponding to the data in the script file.  
   
   
       19 . The article of  claim 11 , further comprising instructions that cause the machine to: 
 establish a connection with the target device prior to upgrading the device;    store information for establishing the connection; and    re-establish the connection with the target device using the stored information after the device is upgraded.    
   
   
       20 . The article of  claim 11 , further comprising instructions that cause the machine to: 
 maintain a log file that contains a record of the upgrading process.    
   
   
       21 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a memory that stores executable instructions; and    a processor that executes the instructions to: 
 receive a configurable script file, the script file containing data and commands;  
 identify a target device on a network using the data; and  
 upgrade the target device using the commands.  
   
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein upgrading comprises upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein: 
 receiving comprises downloading the script file from a network device along with a computer program; and    upgrading comprises running the computer program to execute the commands.    
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the commands comprise instructions for upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein: 
 the script file contains graphics data; and    the processor executes instructions to generate a user interface using the graphics data, the user interface providing information for devices on the network that correspond to the data in the script file, the devices including the target device.    
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the processor executes instructions to: 
 select upgrading for the target device.    
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein identifying comprises: 
 issuing a query over the network for devices that correspond to the data in the script file; and    receiving a response to the query from the target device.    
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the response comprises a code that identifies the target device as corresponding to the data in the script file.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the processor executes instructions to: 
 establish a connection with the target device prior to upgrading the device;    store information for establishing the connection; and    re-establish the connection with the target device using the stored information after the device is upgraded.    
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the processor executes instructions to: 
 maintain a log file that contains a record of the upgrading process.