Install Factory for Customizable Software Packages
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing process of installing and configuring software in data processing systems is tedious, time-consuming, and error-prone, especially when repeated across multiple systems, and often requires customized scripts that are costly and difficult to maintain, leading to inconsistent software versions and configurations.
Innovation Solution
An 'install factory' system that creates customizable install packages by combining existing installations, third-party additions, and maintenance packages, allowing for automated, reproducible installation and configuration of software across multiple data processing systems, ensuring consistent versions and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual multi-step installation and configuration process is used, then software can be installed on data processing systems, but the process is tedious, time-consuming, and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a master installation image that consolidates all necessary software components, maintenance packages, and configuration settings in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for multiple sequential installation steps during actual deployment, allowing single-step installation across multiple systems and dramatically reducing installation time while maintaining consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a reusable master installation image that can be copied and deployed to multiple data processing systems. This copying approach eliminates repetitive manual installation processes, enables rapid deployment across numerous systems, and ensures consistent software versions and configurations without requiring time-consuming individual setup for each system.
2Extent of automation
If customized installation scripts are created to automate the process, then installation can be automated, but the creation process is complicated, costly, and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal master installation image that performs multiple functions: it installs base software, applies maintenance packages, configures systems, and deploys artifacts. This single multi-functional image replaces the need for multiple customized scripts, reducing complexity while maintaining comprehensive automation capabilities across different installation scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The master installation image contains embedded logic that automatically detects the target system's state, determines appropriate installation actions, and executes the correct sequence of operations without requiring external scripting. This self-service capability simplifies the installation package structure while achieving full automation, as the image adapts to different systems independently.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual users create their own customized installations, then specific needs can be met, but effort is duplicated and consistency is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the installation components into a structured master image that separates core software, maintenance packages, and configuration elements. This segmentation allows the central team to create one standardized image that can be adapted to different needs through selective component inclusion, eliminating duplicated effort while maintaining the ability to meet specific organizational requirements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If environment detection is performed before installation, then appropriate software can be installed, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs environment detection and compatibility verification in advance during master image creation. By checking system requirements, software versions, and configuration compatibility beforehand, the system embeds this knowledge into the master image itself, eliminating the need for complex runtime detection processes and simplifying the actual installation while ensuring environment compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An install factory creates install packages used to install complex applications onto multiple data processing systems in a reliable and reproducible manner. The install factory takes a variety of inputs to build a custom installation package. The custom install package may be used repeatedly for installs, using the same install package, a full install on a first data processing system, an updated install on a second data processing system, a fix or service pack on a third data processing system, and also configure an application on a fourth data processing system. Thereafter, all data processing systems have the desired level of the application installed. In addition, the install factory may create install packages that are modified in accordance with user preferences.