Software Installation Template for Rapid Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing procedures for installing sophisticated software applications on multiple computing systems are inefficient and prone to delays due to the need for manual installation from portable media, which can lead to hardware and software incompatibilities, lengthy installation times, and human errors.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that create an installation template from a single 'golden' installation of a software application, allowing for rapid deployment on multiple systems by replacing host-specific references with temporary variables, enabling network-based distribution and installation without the need for portable media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If software application is installed manually from portable media on each computing system, then installation can be performed on any system, but installation time becomes excessively long and human errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a template copy of the software application from a single correct installation, which is then replicated across multiple computing systems. This template copying approach eliminates the need to install from original portable media on each system, dramatically reducing installation time while maintaining accuracy through automated template application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary installation actions by creating a validated template installation first, which encapsulates all necessary configuration and setup steps. This preliminary template is then reused across multiple systems, eliminating the need to repeat time-consuming manual installation procedures on each computing system.
2Productivity
If manual installation procedures are used by technical support personnel, then software can be installed on multiple systems, but human errors such as clicking wrong buttons or inserting wrong disks frequently occur
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a template from a single correct installation, the patent ensures that the same verified installation sequence is replicated across all systems. This eliminates human error in the installation process, as the automated template application replaces manual human actions that are prone to mistakes such as clicking wrong buttons or inserting wrong disks.
Solution Approach 2:
The installation template is designed to be self-executing and self-configuring, automatically performing installation steps without requiring human intervention. This self-service approach eliminates human errors while maintaining high installation throughput across multiple computing systems.
3Reliability
If software application requires patches or fixes to be applied in certain sequence, then software reliability is improved, but installation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies all necessary patches and fixes in the correct sequence during the initial template creation phase. This preliminary action ensures software reliability is maintained while the subsequent template replication to multiple systems occurs rapidly without requiring repeated patch application, thus reducing overall installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges all patching and fixing operations into the template creation process, consolidating multiple time-consuming steps into a single initial operation. This merging approach ensures software reliability through proper sequencing while eliminating the need to repeat these operations on each target system.
4Reliability
If hardware and software incompatibilities are checked during manual installation, then installation reliability is improved, but installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs hardware and software compatibility checks during the initial template creation phase, before the template is replicated to multiple systems. This preliminary verification ensures installation reliability is maintained while the subsequent template deployments to other systems are simplified and accelerated, as compatibility has already been validated.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system are disclosed for providing multiple installations of a software application. The method/system creates an installation template from a single correct or “golden” installation of the software application and uses the installation template to produce additional installations of the software application. In one embodiment, any references to a specific host or computing system in the files or directories of the installed software application are replaced with a temporary variable in the installation template. The installation template may then be stored on a designated server and uploaded to any computing system needing a new installation of the software application. Once uploaded, the variable is replaced with system-specific references to complete the new installations. Since the installations are produced from the installation template and not from floppy disks or CD-ROMs, the process takes significantly less time.