Dynamic Kickstart File Generation for Software Provisioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automation frameworks for software provisioning, such as Anaconda-based Linux distributions, face inefficiencies in system initialization, requiring time-consuming creation and maintenance of kickstart files for each test release, which becomes cumbersome as the number of systems increases.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for dynamically generating installation configuration files, like kickstart files, using an API to discover distribution inventory, select templates, and invoke plugins for customization, with a server coordinating the generation and distribution of these files across target machines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If kickstart files are manually created and maintained for each test release, then installation testing can be performed, but the time and effort required for creation and maintenance increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation testing capabilityVSAvoidtime for creating and maintaining kickstart files

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses template files as reusable copies that can be automatically instantiated multiple times. Instead of manually creating unique kickstart files for each test release, the system copies and adapts templates through automated generation, significantly reducing the time and effort required while maintaining reliable installation testing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-defining template files with common installation configurations. These templates are prepared in advance and can be automatically customized and deployed when needed, eliminating the need for manual kickstart file creation at the time of testing while ensuring reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of systems in the test pool increases, then more comprehensive testing coverage is achieved, but the number of kickstart files to maintain grows significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting coverageVSAvoidnumber of kickstart files to maintain

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes kickstart file generation universal by creating a single automated system that can serve multiple test releases and numerous systems simultaneously. The template-based approach with automated generation allows one template to serve many purposes across different test scenarios, eliminating the need to maintain separate kickstart files for each system while achieving comprehensive testing coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses template copying and automated instantiation to efficiently scale to numerous systems. Instead of maintaining unique files for each system, the same templates are copied and customized automatically, allowing comprehensive testing coverage across many systems without proportionally increasing maintenance complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If kickstart template files are hand-maintained, then installation configurations can be customized, but the effort required updates significantly when installation workarounds are needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation configuration customizationVSAvoideffort to update kickstart files

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses template copying with automated customization to maintain configuration adaptability while reducing update effort. When installation workarounds are needed, changes are made to the master template files, and the automated generation system propagates these changes to all derived kickstart files, eliminating manual updates while preserving customization capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the customization functionality into a centralized template system with automated generation. This combines the flexibility of hand-crafted customization with the efficiency of automation, allowing configuration adaptations to be made in one place and automatically reflected across all test scenarios, significantly reducing the effort required when workarounds are needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8561058B2Methods and systems for dynamically generating installation configuration files for software

Publication Date: 2013.10.15 RED HAT INC

AI summary

The present invention provides methods and systems for dynamically generating configuration files used in installing software distributions and software installation testing. In particular, the present invention employs a framework comprising an API to discover and monitor an inventory of distributions, a set of templates for the configuration files, and plugins that may be selectively invoked to customize the configuration files. When performing installation testing, a server will access the distribution inventory and select appropriate templates that are to be part of the test. The server will then automatically generate the installation configuration files from the templates. The server may also execute one or more plugins that customize the configuration files as desired. Small client applications run on the target machines of the installation tests and are used to download the configuration files and the distributions. The present invention may also employ a scheduling service to coordinate the operations of the server and target machines.