Mechanism for hardware configuration and software deployment

Abstract

A plug-and-play solution deployment mechanism and infrastructure to automate deployment of network cluster devices is disclosed. The solution includes an agile hardware topology discovery mechanism to automatically map the hardware of the cluster devices. The solution includes an intelligent engine for recognition of BIOS configuration setting and BIOS configuration of the devices. The solution also includes a demand-driven Cloud architecture design engine to design and test a cloud architecture incorporating the cluster devices.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for configuring the basic input output system (BIOS) of nodes in a networked cluster, the method comprising:
 establishing a connection between a deployment server and each of the nodes, wherein the deployment server is operable to access a plurality of stored different options for BIOS configurations, wherein each of the BIOS configurations includes a BIOS boot specification order for a plurality of hard drives on the node and a BIOS boot specification order for a plurality of network devices accessible by node;   selecting at least one of the accessible BIOS options for at least one BIOS configuration for each of the nodes via an intelligent engine based on a predefined rule; and   configuring the BIOS for each of the nodes according to the selected BIOS configuration option.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the BIOS configuration is a boot up source. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the corresponding BIOS options include a memory on the node, a removable memory device, and a network storage device. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising generating an interface on a display, the interface including the plurality of options in the order, the interface including an input mechanism to select one of the plurality of options. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the interface includes a selection input to allow a user to select a BIOS configuration for at least one of the nodes, and wherein the predefined rules follow the selected BIOS configuration. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the selection input includes at least one of a menu, an item, a subitem or a value. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the deployment server includes BIOS configuration files including the plurality of files, and wherein based on the selection input, the deployment server searches the BIOS configuration file for a matching file to the selection input. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the predetermined rules include a default BIOS option for the BIOS configuration if a match between the selection input and BIOS configuration file is not found. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the interface includes a selection input to allow a user to select a BIOS configuration for a group of nodes, a single node or every node. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising comparing the selected BIOS option with an existing BIOS option of each of the nodes, and leaving the existing BIOS option if the selected BIOS option is the same as the existing BIOS option. 
     
     
         31 . A system to automatically configure the basic input output system (BIOS) of nodes in a networked cluster, the system comprising:
 a deployment hardware server connected via the network to each of the nodes in the cluster;   a storage device storing a BIOS configuration file including a plurality of stored accessible options for BIOS configurations, wherein each of the BIOS configurations includes a BIOS boot specification order for a plurality of hard drives on the node and a BIOS boot specification order for a plurality of network devices accessible by the node;   an intelligent engine operable to:
 select at least one of the accessible BIOS options for at least one BIOS configuration for each of the nodes via an intelligent engine based on a predefined rule; and 
 configure the BIOS for each of the nodes according to the selected BIOS configuration option. 
   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the BIOS configuration is a boot up source. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the corresponding BIOS options include a memory on the node, a removable memory device, and a network storage device. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 32 , further comprising a display coupled to the deployment server, wherein the deployment server generates an interface on the display, the interface including the plurality of options in the order, and an input mechanism to select one of the plurality of options. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the interface includes a selection input to allow a user to select a BIOS configuration for at least one of the nodes, and wherein the predefined rules follow the selected BIOS configuration. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the selection input includes at least one of a menu, an item, a subitem or a value. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein based on the selection input, the deployment server searches the BIOS configuration file for a matching file to the selection input. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the interface includes a selection input to allow a user to select a BIOS configuration for a group of nodes, a single node, or every node. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the intelligent engine is operable to compare the selected BIOS option with an existing BIOS option of each of the nodes, and leaves the existing BIOS option if the selected BIOS option is the same as the existing BIOS option.