Pre-Configured OS Image Deployment for Distributed Node Customization

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring operating system images with user-specific settings, applications, and configurations before deployment. The system allows users to define configurations in advance using project files that specify packages, services, environment variables, and other customizations. These pre-configured images are then deployed automatically to multiple nodes, eliminating the need for manual post-deployment configuration and significantly reducing workload while maintaining full customization capability

The patent implements copying by creating reusable operating system images that can be replicated and deployed across multiple nodes. Once a customized OS image is built with all necessary configurations, it can be copied and deployed to numerous nodes simultaneously. This approach maintains consistency across all nodes while enabling rapid deployment, as the same pre-configured image can be instantiated across the entire node inventory without repeating the configuration process for each node

The patent applies universality by creating a multi-functional project file format that can define diverse configuration elements (packages, services, environment variables, users, permissions) in a single unified structure. This project file serves multiple purposes: it acts as a configuration specification, a deployment manifest, and a reproduction blueprint for building OS images. The same project file can be used across different nodes and environments, simplifying configuration management while enabling rapid deployment through automated image building processes

The system implements self-service by enabling automated OS image building and deployment based on project file definitions. The automation system automatically parses project files, retrieves necessary components, builds customized OS images, and deploys them to target nodes without requiring manual intervention for each configuration step. This self-service capability reduces configuration management complexity by replacing manual processes with automated workflows that consistently apply configurations across multiple nodes

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining device-specific configuration templates and requirements in project files before the actual OS image building process. Users can specify device-type-specific packages, services, and configurations in advance, allowing the automation system to efficiently retrieve and assemble only the necessary components when building images for specific device types. This pre-preparation significantly reduces actual build time while maintaining full device-specific customization capability

The patent implements local quality by enabling different configuration parameters and components to be applied to different regions or types of nodes based on their specific requirements. The system can define node groups or inventories with different characteristics and apply appropriate pre-configured images or configuration snippets to each group. This allows highly customized configurations for specific device types while reusing common base configurations, reducing overall build time through selective customization rather than complete rebuilding for each device type