Patent ID: 9075690
Filing Date: 2015-07-07
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of automatically and securely updating software on a virtual machine, the method comprising: a computer system determining that a current version of the software on the virtual machine (VM) in the computer system does not match an updated version of the software, with a booting up of an operating system installed on the VM being initiated but not completed; by running the VM, the computer system querying for a start-up of a network to which a proxy update server in the computer system is connected; in response to the step of querying and by running a hypervisor, the computer system indicating to the VM that the VM does not have access to the network by indicating to the VM that network devices and removable devices are disconnected from the network, with the proxy update server being connected to the network; subsequent to the step of determining that the current version of the software does not match the updated version of the software, and by running the VM, the computer system completing the booting up of the operating system and the VM entering a mode of updating the software and the operating system, with the proxy update server being connected to the network and without the VM being connected to the network; the computer system downloading the updated version of the software and an updated version of the operating system from a remote update server and via the network, storing the updated versions of the software and the operating system in a virtualized mounted drive, and pushing the updated versions of the software and the operating system to the VM by using the virtualized mounted drive, with the proxy update server being connected to the network and without the VM being connected to the network; the computer system installing the updated versions of the software and the operating system on the VM to replace the current version of the software and a current version of the operating system, respectively, with the proxy update server being connected to the network and without the VM being connected to the network; using the virtualized mounted drive, the computer system receiving a confirmation indicating that the updated versions of the software and the operating system are installed on the VM, with the proxy update server being connected to the network and without the VM being connected to the network; based in part on the steps of indicating to the VM that the network devices and the removable devices are disconnected from the network, completing the booting up, entering the mode of updating, downloading the updated versions of the software and the operating system, storing the updated versions of the software and the operating system, pushing the updated versions of the software and the operating system to the VM using the virtualized mounted drive, and installing the updated versions of the software and the operating system being performed with the proxy update server being connected to the network and without the VM being connected to the network, the computer system providing an update of the software and operating system dynamically via a connectivity of the proxy update server to the network and preventing the VM from being infected with a virus as a result of the update of the software and the operating system, the virus requiring a connection to the VM through the network to infect the VM; and in response to the step of receiving the confirmation and subsequent to the step of providing the update of the software and operating system, the computer system connecting the VM to the network.