Managing target computer using encapsulated file

Abstract

An encapsulated file is accessed at a management computer. The encapsulated file contains plural files and a deployment descriptor. The deployment descriptor is used to update the management computer about the plural files. A function is execute using at least one of the plural files.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at a management computer, an encapsulated file including a plurality of files and a deployment descriptor, said deployment descriptor including information describing a plurality of configuration tasks performed using the plurality of files;   using, by the management computer, the deployment descriptor extracted from the encapsulated file to identify associations between the plurality of configuration tasks and the plurality of files extracted from the encapsulated file;   updating, by the management computer, a mapping element to include the associations;   using, by the management computer, the mapping element to find at least one of the plurality of files extracted from the encapsulated file needed for a first configuration task of the plurality of configuration tasks; and   performing, by the management computer, a first configuration task of the plurality of configuration tasks using the identified associations and the plurality of files extracted from the encapsulated file to reconfigure a target computer other than the management computer.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the plurality of files includes an executable file, and performing the first configuration task includes said management computer executing said executable file. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said executing includes making a remote procedure call to said target computer. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the plurality of files includes an executable file, and performing the first configuration task includes:
 said management computer transferring said executable file to said target computer; and   causing said target computer to execute said executable file.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said extracting said executable file from said encapsulated file occurs before said executable file is transferred to said target computer. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , comprising:
 extracting, by the management computer, the plurality of files and the deployment descriptor from said encapsulated file; and   storing, on the management computer, the plurality of files extracted from the encapsulated file.   
     
     
         33 . A system comprising non-transitory computer-readable storage media, said media being encoded with code configured to, when executed by a management computer having one or more processors, cause the management computer to implement a method including:
 determining a configuration function to be applied to a target computer other than said management computer;   Identifying required files required by said function, said identifying including accessing, by the management computer, an encapsulated file containing plural contained files and a deployment descriptor, said deployment descriptor including information associating some of said plural contained files with a configuration function requiring that contained file the information describing a plurality of configuration tasks performed using the plural contained files;   identifying, using the deployment descriptor extracted from the encapsulated isle, a plurality of associations between the plurality of configuration tasks and the plural contained files extracted from the encapsulated file;   updating, by the management computer, a mapping element to include the associations;   using, by the management computer, the mapping element to find at least one of the plurality of files extracted from the encapsulated file needed for a first configuration task of the plurality of configuration tasks; and   performing, by said management computer, a first configuration task of the plurality of configuration tasks using the identified associations and the plural contained files extracted from the encapsulated file applying said function using said required files so as to reconfigure said target computer.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein said plural contained files including an executable file that, when executed by one or more processors, causes said management computer to make a remote procedure call to said target computer. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 32 , further comprising a deployment engine for processing said encapsulated file so that it can be accessed by said management computer. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein said plural contained files including an executable file and said code provides for transferring said executable file to said target computer for execution by said target computer to effect configuration of said target computer. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said extracting said executable file from said encapsulated file occurs before the encapsulated file is transferred to said target computer. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 32 , further comprising said management computer, said management computer including said storage media. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 32 , said code provides for:
 said management computer extracting the deployment descriptor and the plural contained files; and   storing, on the management computer, the plural contained files extracted from the encapsulated file.