公开(公告)号：US6014760A

公开(公告)日：2000-01-11

申请号：US935243

申请日：1997-09-22

申请人： Stephen Silva ,  Thomas Yip ,  Michael S. Allison ,  Fred Sprague ,  Richard W. Gillespie

发明人： Stephen Silva ,  Thomas Yip ,  Michael S. Allison ,  Fred Sprague ,  Richard W. Gillespie

IPC分类号： G01R31/3183 ,  G01R31/319 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06F11/00

CPC分类号： G06Q10/06 ,  G01R31/318307 ,  G01R31/31903

摘要： The present invention provides a scheduling method and apparatus for use in an automated testing system for automatically scheduling and allocating jobs to test machines. The automated testing system may be distributed over a network, such as the Internet, for testing hardware and software. The user interfaces generate jobs in response to selections by the users and output the obs onto the network in the form of data packets. A plurality of test machines are in communication with the dispatcher machines via the network. When a test machine is available to process a job, the available test machine generates availability data packets which indicate that the test machine is available to process a job. These availability data packets are sent over the network and routed to the dispatcher machine designated by the address contained in the availability data packet. Upon receiving an availability data packet, the dispatcher machine determines whether one or more of the jobs on the list of jobs maintained by the dispatcher machine is capable of being performed by the available test machine. If one or more of the jobs listed are capable of being performed by the available test machine, the dispatcher machine instructs the test machine to perform one of the jobs, preferably the job having the highest priority.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了一种在自动测试系统中使用的调度方法和装置，用于自动调度和分配作业到测试机器。 自动测试系统可以通过诸如因特网的网络分布，用于测试硬件和软件。 用户界面响应于用户的选择生成作业，并以数据包的形式将obs输出到网络上。 多台测试机通过网络与调度机通信。 当测试机器可用于处理作业时，可用的测试机器生成可用性数据分组，指示测试机可用于处理作业。 这些可用性数据分组通过网络发送并路由到由可用性数据分组中包含的地址指定的分派机器。 在接收到可用性数据分组时，分派器机器确定由调度机器维护的作业列表上的一个或多个作业是否能够由可用的测试机执行。 如果列出的一个或多个作业能够由可用的测试机执行，则调度机器指示测试机器执行其中一个作业，优选地具有最高优先级的作业。

公开(公告)号：US06360268B1

公开(公告)日：2002-03-19

申请号：US09655620

申请日：2000-09-01

申请人： Stephen Silva ,  Michael Allison ,  Fred Sprague ,  John R. Metzner ,  Thomas W. Yip ,  Richard W. Gillespie

发明人： Stephen Silva ,  Michael Allison ,  Fred Sprague ,  John R. Metzner ,  Thomas W. Yip ,  Richard W. Gillespie

IPC分类号： G06F1100

CPC分类号： G06Q10/10 ,  G06F11/2294 ,  G06F11/3664 ,  G06F11/3672 ,  G06F11/3696

摘要： A distributed automated testing system is provided which is capable of being distributed over a network, such as the Internet, for testing hardware and software. A plurality of users operating computers interface to the automated testing system via user interfaces, which preferably are graphical user interfaces. Each user interface displays test parameter choices to the user from which the user may select test parameters relating to a test to be performed. The user interfaces generate data packets in response to selections by the users and output the data packets onto the network. The data packets output from the user interfaces comprise information relating to test parameters selected by the user, commands indicating that performance of a test is being requested, and an address of the location to which the packet is being sent. The data packets are routed to one or more dispatcher machines located on the network which are designated by the addresses contained in the data packets. Each of the dispatcher machines maintains a list of tests to be performed. The dispatcher machine designated by the address in the data packet receives the data packet and updates the list of tests to be performed. A plurality of test machines are in communication with the dispatcher machines via the network. When a test machine is available, the available test machine generates availability data packets which indicate that the test machine is available to perform a test. Each of the availability data packets contains an address of a dispatcher machine. These availability data packets are sent over the network and routed to the dispatcher machine designated by the address contained in the availability data packet. Upon receiving an availability data packet, the dispatcher machine determines whether one or more of the tests on the list of tests maintained by the dispatcher machine is capable of being performed by the test machine which generated the availability data packet. If one or more of the tests listed are capable of being performed by the available test machine, the dispatcher machine instructs the test machine to perform one of the tests, preferably the test having the highest priority.

公开(公告)号：US6167537A

公开(公告)日：2000-12-26

申请号：US935246

申请日：1997-09-22

申请人： Stephen Silva ,  Thomas Yip ,  Michael S. Allison ,  Fred Sprague ,  Richard W. Gillespie

发明人： Stephen Silva ,  Thomas Yip ,  Michael S. Allison ,  Fred Sprague ,  Richard W. Gillespie

IPC分类号： G01R31/319 ,  H04L12/26 ,  G06F11/24

CPC分类号： H04L43/50 ,  G01R31/31903

摘要： A communications protocol for an automated testing system is provided which governs the generation and transmission of data packets within the automated testing system. The automated testing system is capable of being distributed over a network, such as the Internet, and is used for testing hardware and software. A plurality of users operating computers interface to the automated testing system via user interfaces, which preferably are graphical user interfaces. Each user interface displays test parameter choices to the user from which the user may select test parameters relating to a test to be performed. The user interfaces generate data packets in response to selections by the users and output the data packets onto the network. The data packets output from the user interfaces comprise information relating to test parameters selected by the user, commands indicating that performance of a test is being requested, and an address of the location to which the packet is being sent. The data packets are routed to one or more dispatcher machines located on the network which are designated by the addresses contained in the data packets. Each of the dispatcher machines maintains a list of tests to be performed. The dispatcher machine designated by the address in the data packet receives the data packet and updates the list of tests to be performed. A plurality of test machines are in communication with the dispatcher machines via the network. When a test machine is available, the available test machine generates an availability data packet which indicates that the test machine is available to perform a test. Each of the availability data packets contains an address of a dispatcher machine. These availability data packets are sent over the network and routed to the dispatcher machine designated by the address contained in the availability data packet. Upon receiving an availability data packet, the dispatcher machine determines whether one or more of the tests on the list of tests maintained by the dispatcher machine is capable of being performed by the test machine which generated the availability data packet. If one or more of the tests listed are capable of being performed by the available test machine, the dispatcher machine instructs the test machine to perform one of the tests, preferably the test having the highest priority.

公开(公告)号：US6163805A

公开(公告)日：2000-12-19

申请号：US946351

申请日：1997-10-07

申请人： Stephen Silva ,  Michael Allison ,  Fred Sprague ,  John R. Metzner ,  Thomas W. Yip ,  Richard W. Gillespie

发明人： Stephen Silva ,  Michael Allison ,  Fred Sprague ,  John R. Metzner ,  Thomas W. Yip ,  Richard W. Gillespie

IPC分类号： G06F11/273 ,  G06F11/36 ,  G06Q10/10 ,  G06F11/00 ,  G06F17/00

CPC分类号： G06Q10/10 ,  G06F11/2294 ,  G06F11/3664 ,  G06F11/3672 ,  G06F11/3696

摘要： A distributed automated testing system is provided which is capable of being distributed over a network, such as the Internet, for testing hardware and software. A plurality of users operating computers interface to the automated testing system via user interfaces, which preferably are graphical user interfaces. Each user interface displays test parameter choices to the user from which the user may select test parameters relating to a test to be performed. The user interfaces generate data packets in response to selections by the users and output the data packets onto the network. The data packets output from the user interfaces comprise information relating to test parameters selected by the user, commands indicating that performance of a test is being requested, and an address of the location to which the packet is being sent. The data packets are routed to one or more dispatcher machines located on the network which are designated by the addresses contained in the data packets. Each of the dispatcher machines maintains a list of tests to be performed. The dispatcher machine designated by the address in the data packet receives the data packet and updates the list of tests to be performed. A plurality of test machines are in communication with the dispatcher machines via the network. When a test machine is available, the available test machine generates availability data packets which indicate that the test machine is available to perform a test. Each of the availability data packets contains an address of a dispatcher machine. These availability data packets are sent over the network and routed to the dispatcher machine designated by the address contained in the availability data packet.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种分布式自动化测试系统，能够通过互联网等网络进行分布，用于测试硬件和软件。 操作计算机的多个用户经由用户界面与自动化测试系统接口，优选地是图形用户界面。 每个用户界面向用户显示测试参数选择，用户可以从中选择与要执行的测试相关的测试参数。 用户界面响应用户的选择生成数据包，并将数据包输出到网络上。 从用户接口输出的数据分组包括与用户选择的测试参数相关的信息，指示正在请求测试的性能的命令以及分组正在被发送到的位置的地址。 数据包被路由到位于网络上的一个或多个调度机，这些调度机由包含在数据分组中的地址指定。 每个调度机维护要执行的测试列表。 由数据包中的地址指定的调度机接收数据包，并更新要执行的测试列表。 多台测试机通过网络与调度机通信。 当测试机可用时，可用的测试机器生成可用性数据分组，指示测试机器可用于执行测试。 每个可用性数据包都包含调度机的地址。 这些可用性数据分组通过网络发送并路由到由可用性数据分组中包含的地址指定的分派机器。

公开(公告)号：US6094531A

公开(公告)日：2000-07-25

申请号：US937848

申请日：1997-08-25

申请人： Michael Allison ,  Fred Sprague ,  Richard W. Gillespie

发明人： Michael Allison ,  Fred Sprague ,  Richard W. Gillespie

IPC分类号： G06F9/445

CPC分类号： G06F8/60 ,  G06F9/4406

摘要： The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically installing an operating system on a computer via a serial port of the computer. An installer machine running an installation program connects to the computer to be installed via a serial port of the computer to form an ASCII connection with the computer. Once the connection is made, the installation program sends commands to the boot ROM of the computer to institute the installation process. The computer program then waits for configuration questions to be asked by the boot ROM of the computer and sends the appropriate answers to the questions. Preferably, the installer is connected to the machines to be installed via a multiplexer/demultiplexer device which is connected to the serial ports of the machines to be installed. Thus, the installer is capable of installing operating systems on a plurality of machines by selecting the port number of the multiplexer/demultiplexer device to which the machine to be installed is connected. The installer receives requests to install operating systems on one or more of the machines. The requests indicate which machine is to be installed and the type of operating system to be installed. The installer then sends a command to a machine to be installed which causes the machine to go into its boot ROM. The installer selects a script needed for installing the paraticular type of operating system. The installer then sends a series of installation commands to the computer in response to the series of questions output to the installer by the boot ROM of the computer. Preferably, the installer is incorporated into an automated testing system to allow operating systems to be automatically installed on a plurality of test machines over a network. The automated testing system is capable of being distributed over a network, such as the Internet, and is used for testing hardware and software.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了一种通过计算机的串行端口在计算机上自动安装操作系统的方法和装置。 运行安装程序的安装程序连接到要通过计算机的串行端口安装的计算机，以形成与计算机的ASCII连接。 连接完成后，安装程序会将命令发送到计算机的引导ROM，以进行安装过程。 然后，计算机程序等待计算机的引导ROM询问配置问题，并发送相应的问题答案。 优选地，安装者通过连接到要安装的机器的串行端口的多路复用器/解复用器设备连接到要安装的机器。 因此，安装者能够通过选择要安装的机器连接到的多路复用器/解复用器设备的端口号来在多个机器上安装操作系统。 安装程序接收在一台或多台机器上安装操作系统的请求。 请求指示要安装的机器和要安装的操作系统的类型。 然后，安装程序会向要安装的机器发送一个命令，导致机器进入其引导ROM。 安装程序将选择安装操作系统类型所需的脚本。 然后，安装程序将响应由计算机的引导ROM向安装程序输出的一系列问题，向计算机发送一系列安装命令。 优选地，安装者被并入到自动测试系统中，以允许操作系统通过网络自动地安装在多个测试机上。 自动测试系统能够通过互联网等网络进行分发，并用于测试硬件和软件。