Method and apparatus for maintaining a computer system

Abstract

In various embodiments of the invention, a server monitors a network for a startup message from a client computer as appropriate. The server may include a computer application that generates configuration instructions in response to commands from an administrator and/or information obtained from a client computer. The instructions may be in the form of scripts, data, objects, or the like. The instructions may be passed to the client computer, which may execute various administrative functions as directed. In exemplary embodiments, the instructions may command direct placement, verification and/or replacement of files, directory entries, BIOS attributes or other characteristics of the client computer.

1 . A method for managing a plurality of client computers over a network, wherein each of the computers is configured to execute a local operating system, the method comprising:
 storing objects associated with each of the client computers in a directory services application;   storing a plurality of configuration scripts comprising instructions to be executed by said client computers;   allowing an administrator to select at least one of the configuration scripts to be executed by one of said client computers upon the occurrence of an event; and   providing said script to said client computer via said network in response to said occurrence of said event.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each of said configuration scripts comprises instructions to be executed by one of said plurality of client computers as part of a pre-boot sequence. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each of the objects associated with the client computers comprises a plurality of data structures representing attributes of said one of said plurality of workstations, and wherein each of said workstation objects is associated with at least one of a plurality of template objects, 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein each of said plurality of template objects is associated with one of a plurality of event objects corresponding to the event. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein each of said plurality of event objects is associated with one of a plurality of script objects associated with the at least one of the configuration scripts. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein each of said script objects comprises instructions to be executed by one of said plurality of workstations as part of a pre-boot sequence. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said template objects is associated with at least one workstation group object such that each of said plurality of workstations becomes associated with said at least one of said template objects via said at least one workstation group object. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said at least one of said template objects is associated with at least one workstation object as a function of said attributes of said at least one workstation object. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said attributes comprise one of the group consisting of: hardware attributes, firmware attributes, desktop management interface (DMI) attributes, PCI attributes, and SMBIOS attributes. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said attributes comprise at least one of the group consisting of system manufacturer, model, motherboard type, and bus information. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said attributes comprise information about an adapter orientation within a system bus of said client computer. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said configuration scripts are REXX scripts. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said configuration scripts are PERL scripts. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said configuration scripts are batch scripts. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each of said workstation objects are directory services objects. 
   
   
       16 . A system for managing client computers over a network, the system comprising:
 a directory services application configured to store objects associated with said client computers;   a plurality of configuration scripts comprising instructions to be executed by said client computers;   an interface configured to allow an administrator to select a configuration script to be executed by one of said client computers upon the occurrence of an event; and   a server application configured to provide said script to said client computer via said network in response to said occurrence of said event.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein each of said configuration scripts comprises instructions to be executed by one of said plurality of client computers as part of a pre-boot sequence prior to booting a local operating system on the client computer. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said event is associated to said one of said client computers by a template object in said directory services application. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 16  wherein at least two of said client computers are associated in said directory services application by a workstation group object. 
   
   
       20 . A computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of data structures in a computer-readable format, said data structures comprising a plurality of a workstation objects, each of said workstation objects corresponding to one of a plurality of workstations,
 wherein each of said plurality of workstation objects comprises a plurality of data structures representing attributes of said one of said plurality of workstations, and wherein each of said workstation objects is associated with at least one of a plurality of template objects,   wherein each of said plurality of template objects is associated with one of a plurality of event objects,   wherein each of said plurality of event objects is associated with one of a plurality of script objects, and   wherein each of said script objects comprises instructions to be executed by one of said plurality of workstations as part of a pre-boot sequence.