Plug-in Installer Framework for Managed Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug-in frameworks impose restrictions that make it difficult for end users in managed computing environments to update plug-ins efficiently, especially in large, geographically dispersed user groups, leading to time-consuming and costly manual interventions by IT staff, and risk corruption of other plug-ins or the host application.
Innovation Solution
A plug-in installer framework that allows an installer plug-in to read configuration information, contact an application server to determine which plug-in files need updating, download and create additional plug-ins, and load them within a host application, enabling seamless integration and automatic updates without requiring elevated privileges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual installation by IT staff is used, then plug-in updates can be performed, but time consumption and cost increase significantly for large dispersed user groups
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service plug-in installation and updates by providing a web-based interface where users can independently select, download, and install plug-ins without requiring IT staff intervention. The framework automatically manages the installation process, including downloading plug-in files from a server and configuring them within the host application.
Solution Approach 2:
A web server acts as an intermediary between the central server and end-user systems. It hosts a web interface that users access to perform plug-in installations locally, eliminating the need for direct IT staff involvement while maintaining centralized control over available plug-ins through server-side configuration.
2Device complexity
If configuration information for multiple plug-ins is commingled in a single configuration file, then configuration management is simplified, but risk of corruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration system is segmented into multiple independent configuration files, with each plug-in having its own dedicated configuration file. This segmentation isolates configuration data, so that errors or corruptions in one plug-in's configuration do not affect other plug-ins or the host application, while still allowing centralized management through the web interface.
3Reliability
If entire host application is redeployed with plug-in updates, then corruption issues are avoided, but retesting burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plug-in configuration and installation process is extracted from the host application deployment process. Plug-ins are installed and configured independently through the web interface without requiring redeployment of the entire host application. This extraction allows plug-in updates to proceed separately, avoiding the need for comprehensive retesting of the host application while maintaining configuration integrity through isolated file management.
4Reliability
If elevated privileges are required for plug-in installation, then system security is maintained, but user autonomy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The web server acts as an intermediary that handles privileged operations centrally. When users initiate plug-in installation through the web interface, the web server manages the download and installation processes, requiring elevated privileges only on the server side rather than on individual user machines. This allows users to perform installations with standard user privileges while maintaining system security through centralized controlled access.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system and method for providing a plug-in installer framework. The method includes creating an installer plug-in and reading configuration information with the installer plug-in. An application server may be contacted by the installer plug-in to determine which plug-in files to update in local storage. The updated plug-in files may be downloaded from an application server to local storage, and additional plug-ins may be created within the installer plug-in from the plug-in files in local storage. The additional plug-ins may be loaded through the installer plug-in within a host application.