Provisioning Server Software Distribution Import Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current software provisioning tools lack the ability to seamlessly integrate and automate the addition of new software distributions, requiring significant manual input from system administrators.

Innovation Solution

A provisioning server with an import module that retrieves and determines the type of software distribution, generates a configuration file using a matching template, and creates a profile for integration into the provisioning environment, allowing for automated incorporation and minimal user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software distributions are added to the provisioning environment, then the software selection capability is improved, but manual configuration effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware selection capabilityVSAvoidmanual configuration effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The provisioning server automatically detects and integrates new software distributions without requiring manual administrator configuration. The system self-services by autonomously importing distributions, determining their types, and configuring them for provisioning, thereby eliminating manual configuration effort while maintaining enhanced software selection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary automatic configuration actions when new software distributions are added. By pre-configuring and integrating distributions automatically upon addition, the system prepares everything in advance so that no manual configuration is needed later, resolving the contradiction between expanded software capability and manual effort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual integration steps are required for new distributions, then integration control is improved, but provisioning time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration controlVSAvoidprovisioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration steps with an automated import module that programmatically handles distribution integration. This substitution maintains reliable integration control through systematic automated processes while dramatically reducing the time required to provision new software distributions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The import module serves as an intermediary between new software distributions and the provisioning environment. It automatically mediates the integration process by detecting distribution types, configuring appropriate settings, and incorporating distributions into the environment, thereby maintaining control while minimizing provisioning time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8793683B2Importing software distributions in a software provisioning environment

Publication Date: 2014.07.29 RED HAT INC

AI summary

A provisioning server can import a software distribution and determine the type of distribution in order to integrate the software distribution in the software provisioning environment. The provisioning server can be configured to determine a type for the software distribution. Once determined, the provisioning server can be configured to locate a configuration template that matches the type of the software distribution. The configuration template can allow the generation of a configuration file that enables the software distribution to be incorporated into software provisioning processes, automatically. Once located, the provisioning server can be configured to generate a profile for the imported software distribution.