Automated Configuration Profile Generation for Software Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for generating software application installation packages are manual, time-consuming, labor-intensive, and error-prone, leading to inefficiencies in configuration profile generation and management, with varying performance efficiency depending on the skill level of engineers and lacking reusability and update capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for automatically generating universal installation packages using a configuration profile automation engine that creates a property list, configuration profile, and installer/uninstaller script, utilizing a UUID for identification and management, and uploading the package to a management tool for deployment across multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration profile generation is used, then flexibility and customization are improved, but time consumption and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating configuration profiles through snapshot comparison. The automation engine independently identifies configuration changes between pre-installation and post-installation snapshots, extracts relevant parameters, and generates profiles without human intervention, thus achieving both speed and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of configuration profile creation is replaced with an automated computational system. The automation engine uses algorithmic processes to compare snapshots, identify configuration parameters, and generate profiles, substituting human labor with automated software that maintains flexibility while dramatically increasing productivity
2Ease of operation
If manual configuration profile generation is used, then handling of complex system parameters is improved, but error rate and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex task of manually handling system parameters is replaced with automated computational processes. The automation engine systematically parses system files, identifies parameter changes, and manages complexity through algorithmic approaches, reducing both time consumption and error rates while maintaining the ability to handle complex configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms by comparing post-installation snapshots against pre-installation snapshots. This feedback loop automatically identifies which parameters changed during installation, allowing the system to precisely extract only the relevant configuration parameters needed for the profile, reducing time and errors
3Manufacturing precision
If snapshot-based configuration extraction is used, then configuration accuracy is improved, but network traffic and user interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential configuration parameters needed for profile generation from the snapshots, rather than transmitting or processing entire snapshot datasets. This selective extraction maintains configuration accuracy by capturing all necessary parameters while minimizing network traffic and resource consumption by excluding redundant data
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The methods include, for instance: generating one or more property list including restrictions and settings and respective values thereof that are to install a software application on devices running an installation target operating system. Based on the one or more property list, a configuration profile is created. A profile identifier corresponding to the configuration profile is utilized to install and manage the configuration profile by use of a universally applicable script, which is included in an installation package for deployment.