INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION OF OPERATIONAL AND APPLICATION SOFTWARE FROM LOCAL REPOSITORIES

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for providing application-oriented software for a desired application-oriented functionality within a computer system and to a computer system for providing a desired application-oriented functionality.

[0002] Traditionally, applications or application-oriented software for a desired application-oriented functionality are created in a development environment, for example, on a separate development computer system, within a computer system on which the application-oriented software is intended to run. The created software is then transferred to the computer system on which the software is intended to run. For example, a file containing an image of the created software can be loaded onto this computer system. Changes in the configuration or functionality of the application-oriented software often result in a change to the entire software package, for example, the image file, which must be transferred to the computer system.This results in the entire software package having to be uploaded to the computer system in order to implement changes to the configuration or the software's functionality. Particularly in applications where the bandwidth of a data connection is limited for such an upload, e.g., when the computer system is used as so-called edge computer systems at locations with exposed locations and / or strong environmental influences, the current approach disadvantageously results in high data volumes and potentially long data transfer times, with data transfer often being faulty or failing entirely.

[0003] From US 2012 / 204173 A1, a computing device is known that configures virtual machines using configuration commands. Each of the virtual machines can boot from a corresponding virtual machine image file. When a virtual machine boots or is running, the virtual machine can read from or write to application and operating system files contained in the corresponding virtual machine image file. Before booting the virtual machine, the computing device can obtain or set configuration properties of the operating system and the applications to be booted in a respective virtual machine by reading from or writing to the application and operating system files contained in the corresponding virtual machine image file.The computing device can execute configuration commands to obtain or set the configuration properties of the operating system and applications.

[0004] US 2017 / 228245 A1 discloses a system that may include computer instructions that may cause a computing device to receive a request to access an application on behalf of a user. The request may be received from a client device associated with the user. The computer instructions may further cause the computing device to determine whether the client device needs to run a virtual machine that executes the application. The computer instructions may further cause the computing device to detect whether the virtual machine is installed on the client device. The computer instructions may further cause the computing device to cause the virtual machine to be installed on the client device.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to describe a method for providing application-oriented software for a desired application-oriented functionality and a computer system for providing a desired application-oriented functionality, which enable a flexible configuration of the application-oriented software for providing variable functionalities and yet overcome the disadvantages of conventional solutions explained above.

[0006] This object is achieved according to a first aspect by a method according to patent claim 1. Advantageous further developments and implementations are disclosed in the associated subclaims.

[0007] The method is implemented for providing application-oriented software for a desired application-oriented functionality within a computer system. Configuration data is transferred to the computer system, wherein the configuration data specifies a functionality or configuration of the application-oriented software to be created. Furthermore, one or more program components from a plurality of program components stored locally within the computer system are used depending on the functionality or configuration specified by the configuration data. Using the locally used program components, the application-oriented software is created depending on the functionality or configuration specified by the configuration data.Finally, the created application-oriented software is embedded into an operating environment in the computer system to provide a desired application-oriented functionality.

[0008] Such a method has the advantage over conventional solutions that application-oriented software for a desired application-oriented functionality can be created within a computer system from program components that are stored and available (exclusively or entirely) locally within the computer system. The configuration data transferred to the computer system can, for example, be used by a development system to automatically create the desired software within the computer system. The configuration data can specify a desired configuration or a desired range of functions / functionality of an application-oriented software to be created.Based on the configuration data, necessary, required or suitable program components can then be selected from the multitude of program components stored locally within the computer system and compiled into application-oriented software.

[0009] The method can be implemented in such a way that all program components necessary for creating the application-oriented software are advantageously stored locally within the computer system. This eliminates the need for any program components to be loaded onto the computer system via a data connection with a remote background system (e.g., a development computer system). Thus, only the configuration data need to be transferred to the computer system in order to specify or control a controlled and automated compilation of the necessary program components for creating the final software.

[0010] In this way, the method explained here has the advantage that application-oriented software can be compiled flexibly and variably within the computer system itself, without the need to load software components, in particular program components, in large data volumes (e.g., in the range of several gigabytes) onto the computer system via an external data connection. Only the configuration data needs to be transferred to the computer system, with the configuration data being comparatively small in size (e.g., in the range of kilobytes or megabytes). Such a transfer can be carried out quickly and easily, even with very limited bandwidth. Furthermore, no permanent connection between the computer system and a background system for data transfer is necessary to create the application-oriented software.Only the configuration data needs to be transferred to the computer system via a short-term (temporary) data connection. After the configuration data has been fully transferred, the creation of the application-oriented software within the computer system can proceed automatically without the need for a further data connection to a remote background system. This makes this method particularly advantageous for so-called edge computing applications.

[0011] In various implementations of the method, the configuration data can generally comprise predetermined instructions, definitions, rules, configurations or a combination thereof which specify the use and compilation of the program components stored locally within the computer system for creating the application-oriented software. In particular, the configuration data can store the functionalities that the desired software to be created should have. Alternatively or additionally, specific information on the required program components can also be stored in the configuration data. The configuration data can comprise one or more key / value pairs which specify the program components to be used locally within the computer system for creating the application-oriented software. Such key / value pairs can, for example, relate to a specific program stack which contains the program components orcorresponding prepared bundles of program components are defined. Alternatively or additionally, the configuration data can include one or more key / value pairs that specify a configuration of the application-oriented software. Such a configuration can include, for example, the configuration of network interfaces, the assignment of IP addresses, user data, etc.

[0012] In various implementations of the method, the configuration data comprise exclusively non-executable data, in particular no executable program code or executable instruction code, let alone executable program files of the application-oriented software. This has the significant advantage over conventional solutions that no program code as part of the application-oriented software needs to be transferred from outside to the computer system in order to ultimately create the application-oriented software in the computer system. Rather, as explained above, the method is advantageously implemented such that the executable program components required to create the software, in particular executable files, scripts, instruction codes, machine codes, and so on, are stored entirely locally within the computer system.

[0013] This makes the process very secure compared to conventional solutions because no executable program code is transferred to the computer system that could be manipulated. This means that no external manipulation of the program code or command code of the ultimately created application-oriented software, such as the introduction of malicious code, can occur. In the worst case, the configuration data is selected in such a way that the creation of the desired software functionality fails or is aborted. However, the implantation of additional or modified executable program code into the software being created is not possible via the configuration data.

[0014] All functionalities, executable program code, or command code are stored exclusively locally within the computer system. This allows, for example, during initial setup of the computer system, the scope of functions permitted or possible for a future application-oriented software project to be developed. This method thus offers significant advantages over conventional solutions, particularly for safety-critical applications.

[0015] The configuration data can, for example, be summarized in a configuration file that is transferred to the computer system. Such a configuration file can, for example, be implemented as a text file. This text file can, for example, be written in a predefined markup language such as XML or YAML. The configuration data can be transferred to the computer system via a package management system, such as the RPM Package Manager or similar.

[0016] In various implementations of the method, a base operating system and one or more application program files are used as program components for creating the application-oriented software. These are stored exclusively locally within the computer system. The base operating system and the one or more application program files are automatically compiled to create the application-oriented software. The base operating system mentioned here can be a Linux kernel, for example. The one or more application program files can provide actual application-oriented functionalities of the software to be created. Depending on the desired use case, certain program components can be included here. The application program files can, for example, be prepared as container files.The base operating system and / or one or more application program files can be stored as image files in the computer system. The storage and management of the application program files in the form of container files can be carried out according to a container management system.

[0017] A created application-oriented software can comprise one or more software packages or one or more software files containing the basic operating system and one or more application program files. This entire complex can be created automatically in a creation system, for example, a dedicated building software, within the computer system. The resulting software can be in the form of one or more image files. These can be embedded into an operating environment in the computer system in such a way that the application-oriented software can be executed or installed locally in the computer system from the one or more image files and then executed.

[0018] In various implementations of the method, the application-oriented software is created as a virtual machine, with the virtual machine executing locally within the computer system. In these implementations, the application-oriented software can represent a complete virtual computer system with one or more desired functionalities. Through virtualization, the computer system's functionality can be variably and flexibly adapted to the desired functionalities. A virtual machine created in this way can be easily operated and handled within the computer system. This type of virtualization also offers advantages in terms of secure execution of the created software.

[0019] The above object is achieved according to a second aspect by a computer system for providing a desired application-oriented functionality according to claim 7. Further developments and specific embodiments are disclosed in the subclaims.

[0020] A plurality of program components for creating application-oriented software are stored locally within the computer system. The computer system has a creation system for the automated creation of the application-oriented software using one or more locally retrieved program components from the plurality of locally stored program components. Furthermore, the computer system has an interface for a data connection to a remote configuration server. The computer system is configured to obtain configuration data for creating the application-oriented software from the configuration server via the data connection. The creation system is configured to create the application-oriented software using the one or more locally retrieved program components depending on the obtained configuration data.

[0021] Such a computer system also exhibits the advantages mentioned in connection with the method explained above. The computer system can advantageously be configured such that all program components required to create the application-oriented software are stored locally in the computer system. This means that the application-oriented software can be created exclusively from program components prepared in the computer system, without one or more program components having to be loaded onto the computer system via a data connection to a remote system (e.g., a data server or configuration server).

[0022] In various embodiments of the computer system, the creation system is configured such that the creation of the application-oriented software is automated using the configuration data loaded onto the computer system. In particular, the creation system can be configured such that it uses one or more program components locally in the computer system and, based on predetermined instructions, definitions, rules, configurations, or a combination thereof present within the configuration data (e.g., in the form of key / value pairs), compiles the locally used program components into the application-oriented software.The program components and the configuration data can be configured such that a program code or instruction code of the created application-oriented software, in particular an executable program code or executable instruction code, is compiled or created exclusively using the locally available program components. In this case, the configuration data exclusively comprises non-executable data or no executable program code or executable instruction code as part of the application-oriented software.

[0023] In various embodiments of the computer system, one or more base operating systems and one or more application program files are stored within the computer system as program components for creating the application-oriented software. The at least one base operating system can be, for example, a Linux system or the like. The one or more application program files can include predetermined program components for creating the application-oriented software. The application program files can be prepared as container files. Furthermore, reference is made to the above explanations in connection with the method explained above.

[0024] In various implementations, the computer system is an edge computer system. The edge computer system can, for example, be embedded in a machine, plant, or overall system and configured to monitor the machine, plant, or overall system. For example, the edge computer system can preprocess sensor data acquired by one or more sensors of the machine, plant, or overall system.

[0025] The computer system is advantageously configured to carry out a method according to the type explained above.

[0026] The computer system explained here can, for example, be used in a computer infrastructure that, in addition to the computer system, has a remote configuration server. The configuration server stores the configuration data of the type explained above and can be connected to the computer system, at least temporarily, via a data connection for importing the configuration data into the computer system. This computer infrastructure can, for example, have the computer system as an edge computer system, with the configuration server being a server within a data center. The edge computer system can be connected to the data center, at least temporarily, via the data connection. The data center can, for example, provide predetermined cloud services.The data connection can be set up or configured in such a way that it is only established for importing the configuration data from the configuration server into the computer system and is then closed down or terminated after the configuration data has been transferred to the computer system. Particularly in applications with low bandwidth, the data connection does not need to remain permanently established between the configuration server and the computer system. The configuration data is advantageously designed in such a way that it has a relatively small data size in the range of kilobytes or megabytes. This enables a relatively rapid transfer of the configuration data between the configuration server and the computer system despite the low bandwidth of a data connection. Larger amounts of data therefore do not need to be transferred over the data connection.As already explained above, the computer system can be implemented in such a way that all program components for creating the application-oriented software are stored locally within the computer system. Therefore, no program components need to be uploaded to the computer system from outside via the data connection. This allows for the rapid, flexible, and secure creation of application-oriented software using the computer system.

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below using an embodiment with the aid of several drawings.

[0028] They show: Figure 1 a schematic representation of a computer infrastructure with a computer system and a configuration server, Figure 2 a schematic representation of a computer system as it is in Figure 1 can be applied.

[0029] Figure 1shows a computer infrastructure with a computer system 1 configured within a system 3 to be monitored. The system 3 to be monitored can be, for example, a machine, system, production system, and so on. The computer system 1 is configured, for example, as a so-called edge computer system. The computer system 1 is configured, for example, to monitor the system 3, in particular to collect and evaluate sensor data from the system 3, or similarly. The computer system 1 can also be configured to control the system 3. Many possible applications are conceivable here.

[0030] Computer system 1 is connected to a remote configuration server 2 via a data connection 4. Data connection 4 can be configured as a permanent data connection or, alternatively, as a temporary data connection. Data connection 4 is used to transmit and exchange data between computer system 1 and configuration server 2.

[0031] The configuration server 2 can, for example, be set up within a data center and provide certain services, in particular cloud services, for the computer system 1. Particularly when the computer system 1 is used as an edge computer system, the computer system 1 can provide computing performance to the system 3 to be monitored, while background performance is provided by the configuration server 2 or the data center.

[0032] To provide a desired application-oriented functionality within the computer system 1, it is necessary to set up application-oriented software within the computer system 1. The provision of this application-oriented software within the computer system 1 is carried out using Figure 2 explained in more detail below.

[0033] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a computer system 1 according to the invention, as it is used, for example, in the computer infrastructure according to Figure 1 can be applied.

[0034] In the following, structural features or procedural steps for providing a desired application-oriented functionality within the computer system 1 are explained.

[0035] The computer system 1 according to Figure 2has a base operating system memory 7 and an application program file memory 8. One or more base operating systems are stored within the base operating system memory 7. The base operating systems stored in the memory 7 can be stored, for example, as so-called image files. One or more application program files are stored in the application program file memory 8. The application program files stored in the memory 8 are stored, for example, as container files. The memory 8 can, for example, have an application program file directory that includes a link to the corresponding application program files. Management and structure of the application program files can be provided, for example, via a container management system.

[0036] The program components stored in memories 7 and 8 (basic operating system and application program files) are thus stored completely and exclusively locally in computer system 1. From the program components within memories 7 and 8, application-oriented software can be created variably and flexibly depending on the desired functionality. For this purpose, the program components stored in memories 7 and 8 provide corresponding variable functionalities. For creating application-oriented software, computer system 1 has a creation system 9. The creation system 9 includes, for example, building software for creating application-oriented software 5 from selected program components from the multitude of program components stored in memories 7 and 8. The creation system 9 is set up such that the creation of the application-oriented software 5 runs automatically.

[0037] To create the application-oriented software 5, configuration data 6 are first transferred to the computer system 1. Such a transfer can, for example, be carried out via a data connection 4 between the computer system 1 and a configuration server 2 according to Figure 1See the explanations above. The configuration data 6 can be present, for example, as a text file in a specific markup language, e.g., XML or YAML. The configuration data 6 comprise, for example, a plurality of key / value pairs that define a desired functionality of the application-oriented software 5 to be created. The key / value pairs within the configuration data 6 specify the program components to be used locally within the computer system 1 from the memories 7 and 8 to create the respective application-oriented software 5. Furthermore, the key / value pairs within the configuration data 6 (these can be the same key / value pairs or different key / value pairs) can specify a configuration of the application-oriented software 5 to be created.Consequently, the configuration data 6 can, on the one hand, include specifications regarding the program components to be used and, on the other hand, specifications regarding the configuration of the software 5 ultimately to be created. Such specifications can, for example, be certain parameters and corresponding values ​​for defining the components necessary for the software 5, such as interfaces, network parameters, user data, and so on.

[0038] Once the configuration data 6 has been transferred to the computer system 1, it can be read and interpreted in the creation system 9. For this purpose, a parser can be implemented in the creation system 9, for example, which interprets the text file written as a markup language 6 containing the configuration data 6. The creation system 9 thus automatically recognizes which program components from the multitude of program components stored in the memories 7 and 8 are to be used to create the application-oriented software 5. The required program components can be automatically loaded by the creation system 9 from the memories 7 and 8 and compiled depending on the configuration data 6. For example, the configuration data 6 specifies a specific software stack or program stack of required program components to implement a desired functionality.Based on this information, the recognition system 9 compiles the required program components.

[0039] According to the constellation in Figure 2 The configuration data 6 does not include any executable data. All executable program code for creating the application-oriented software 5 is specified by the program components that are stored locally in the memories 7 and 8 in the computer system 1. In this way, the creation of the application-oriented software 5 according to Figure 2particularly secure, since no executable program code is imported into the computer system 1 from outside via the configuration data 6. This prevents potentially manipulated program code (malicious code) from entering the computer system 1 via the configuration data 6 to create the application-oriented software 5. Rather, the program functionality of the application-oriented software 5 is predetermined by the program components pre-stored in the memories 7 and 8. Various application-oriented programs 5 can be compiled from a multitude of program components stored in the memories 7 and 8. In this way, a flexible, yet secure creation of application-oriented software 5 is guaranteed.

[0040] Because all program components for creating the application-oriented software 5 are pre-stored locally within the memories 7 and 8 in the computer system 1, and only configuration data 6 for the predetermined and controlled compilation of the program components must be imported into the computer system 1, the configuration data 6 can have a very small data size (file size) compared to the program components and the created software 5. The configuration data, for example, has a size of approximately 500 kilobytes to approximately 1 megabyte, while the program components stored in the memories 7 and 8 or the ultimately created application-oriented software 5 can have a size in the range of several gigabytes, for example, a total of 6 gigabytes.

[0041] An advantage of the computer system 1 and the method for creating the application-oriented software 5 according to Figure 2This means that no large amounts of data are transferred via a data connection between the computer system 1 and a remote computer system, for example the configuration server 2 according to Figure 1 , must be transmitted. Rather, only a (at least temporarily) established data connection 4 (compare Figure 1) the configuration data 6 are imported into the computer system 1. For this purpose, the data connection 4 can have a relatively low bandwidth because the configuration data 6, as explained above, only constitutes a very small data volume. In this way, depending on the desired functionality, an application-oriented software 5 can be created flexibly by means of locally stored program components automatically within the computer system 1 via the creation system 9 depending on the configuration data 6, without the need to transfer a large data volume of program components to the computer system 1 (upload). Furthermore, in connection with Figure 2 The procedure described above is particularly advantageous in applications where computer system 1 is used in extreme locations, for example, in exposed locations where computer system 1 is subjected to strong environmental influences.

[0042] As a result of a compilation of predetermined program components depending on the configuration data 6, the creation system 9 finally provides the software 5. According to Figure 2 The software 5 comprises data of a plurality of application program files, which have been embedded, for example, in the form of containers 11. In addition, the software 5 in the embodiment according to Figure 2a composition file 12, configuration data 13, and a basic operating system 10. The containers 11 were retrieved from memory 8, and the basic operating system 10 was retrieved from memory 7. The composition file 12 was created automatically during the creation of the software 5 and can be in the form of a text file in a predefined markup language. The composition file 12 defines, for example, the linking of the individual containers 11 and their control to provide the desired functionality. The composition file 12 can, for example, comprise part of the configuration data 6. Another part of the configuration data 6 can be contained in the further configuration data 13. This can define, for example, network parameters, network interfaces, user data, virtual drives, and so on.The containers 11, together with the composition file 12, form a container system for providing the desired applications, which are controlled via the additional configuration data 13 and the basic operating system 10 (as the basic structure of the software 5). The created software 5 can, for example, be in the form of an image file (e.g., "ISO" or "QCOW2"). ​​The created software 5 can ultimately be embedded in an operating environment 14 within the computer system 1. The operating environment 14 provides, for example, physical hardware with memory as well as monitoring and control software (e.g., a hypervisor). Furthermore, in the embodiment according to . Figure 2A total of three memory areas 15a to 15c are set up within the operating environment 14, in each of which the created software 5 can be stored or installed. The software 5 can be created in the form of a virtual machine. This can be stored in one of the memory areas 15a to 15c or installed accordingly, so that the virtual machine can be executed as executable software within the operating environment 14. In this way, application-oriented software 5 can be created in the computer system 1 depending on the desired functionality.

[0043] In alternative embodiments, program components can be stored within memory 8 as application programs without the aid of a container management system of the type described above. In this case, the application programs are compiled into software 5 in the creation system 9 using a base operating system obtained from memory 7, without, for example, the need for a composition file 12. Rather, the individual application programs can be compiled together with the base operating system and corresponding configuration data 13 in a software file 5 (e.g., an image file).

[0044] In alternative embodiments, the created software 5 may also comprise a plurality of files.

[0045] In further alternative embodiments, pre-stored compiled software packages (bundles) that provide corresponding functionalities of a software 5 can be stored in the memories 7 and 8, respectively. In this case, the creation system 9 can be implemented such that, based on the configuration data 6, a suitable software package is selected from the memories 7 and 8, respectively, and is provided as software 5, optionally supplemented by configuration data 13. It is also possible to provide only one memory 7 or 8 in which corresponding program components are stored.

[0046] The embodiments of the Figures 1 and 2 are chosen merely as examples. List of reference symbols

[0047] 1Computer system 2Configuration server 3System to be monitored 4Data connection 5Application-oriented software 6Configuration data 7Base operating system memory 8Application program file memory 9Composition system 10Base operating system 11Container 12Composition file 13Configuration data 14Operating environment 15a, 15b, 15cStorage area

Claims

1. A method of providing application-oriented software (5) for a desired application-oriented functionality within a computer system (1), comprising the following steps: - Transferring configuration data (6) to the computer system (1), the configuration data (6) specifying a functionality of an application-oriented software (5) to be created, the application-oriented software (5) to be created comprising data of a plurality of application program files, a basic operating system (10) and further configuration data (13), - Calling up a plurality of program components from a plurality of program components, which are stored locally within the computer system (1), dependent on the functionality specified by the configuration data (6), wherein the configuration data (6) comprise specifications about the program components to be called up, - Creating the application-oriented software (5) within the computer system (1) using the locally called up program components dependent on the functionality specified by the configuration data (6), the locally called up program components being put together with the further configuration data (13) as the application-oriented software (5), the configuration data (6) furthermore comprising specifications relating to a configuration of the software (5) to be created, a part of the configuration data (6) being comprised in the further configuration data (13), and the application-oriented software (5) created being present in the form of a disk image, and - Embedding the created disk image in an operating environment (14) in the computer system (1) to provide the desired application-oriented functionality.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration data (6) comprise one or more key / value pairs, which specify the program components to be called up locally within the computer system (1) for creating the application-oriented software (5).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the configuration data (6) comprise one or more key / value pairs, which specify the configuration of the application-oriented software (5).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the configuration data (6) comprises exclusively non-executable data.

5. The method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a basic operating system (10) and one or more application program files, which are stored exclusively locally within the computer system (5), are called up as program components for creating the application-oriented software (5), wherein the basic operating system (10) and the application program files for creating the application-oriented software (5) are put together in an automated manner.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the application-oriented software (5) is created as a virtual machine and the virtual machine is executed locally within the computer system (1).

7. A computer system (1) for providing a desired application-oriented functionality, wherein a plurality of program components for creating application-oriented software (5) are stored locally within the computer system (1), wherein the computer system (1) has a creation system (9) for the automated creation of the application-oriented software (5) on the basis of a plurality of program components which are called up locally from the plurality of locally stored program components dependent on a functionality specified by configuration data (6), wherein the application-oriented software (5) to be created comprises data of a plurality of application program files, a basic operating system (10) and further configuration data (13), wherein the computer system (1) has an interface for a data connection (4) with a remote configuration server (2), the computer system (1) being configured to obtain the configuration data (6) for creating the application-oriented software (5) from the configuration server (2) via the data connection (4), the configuration data (6) comprising specifications about the program components to be called up and specifications about a configuration of the software (5) to be created, and wherein the creation system (9) is configured to create the application-oriented software (5) within the computer system (1) on the basis of the plurality of locally called up program components dependent on the functionality specified by the obtained configuration data (6), wherein the locally used program components are put together with the further configuration data (13) as the application-oriented software (5), a part of the configuration data (6) is comprised in the further configuration data (13), and the created application-oriented software (5) is present in the form of a disk image.

8. The computer system (1) according to claim 7, wherein one or more basic operating systems (10) and one or more application program files are stored as program components for creating the application-oriented software (5) within the computer system (1).

9. The computer system (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the creation system (9) is configured to create the application-oriented software (5) in the form of a virtual machine.

10. The computer system (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the computer system (1) is an edge computer system which is configured to be embedded in a machine, installation or overall system and which is configured to monitor the machine, installation or overall system and is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

11. A computer infrastructure with a computer system (1) according to one of claims 7 to 10 and a remote configuration server (2), wherein the configuration server (2) holds the configuration data (6) and can be connected to the computer system (1) at least temporarily via a data connection (4) for importing the configuration data (6) into the computer system (1).