Software Installation Template Using Variable Substitution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for installing 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, especially when dealing with large and complex applications.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that create an installation template from a single 'golden' installation of a software application, replacing system-specific references with generic variables, allowing for rapid deployment across multiple systems without the need for portable media, using a template server and scripting routines to ensure correct installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual installation from portable media is used on each computing system, then the software application can be installed on multiple systems, but the installation time becomes excessively long and human errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a master installation image from a single correctly installed software application on a reference computing system. This master image is then copied to multiple target computing systems, eliminating the need to perform manual installation from portable media on each system. The copying process significantly reduces installation time while ensuring consistency across all systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the installation process in advance on a reference system to create a pre-configured master image. This preliminary action includes installing the software application, applying necessary patches, and configuring system-specific parameters. The master image is prepared beforehand and can be rapidly deployed to multiple systems without repeating the entire installation process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual installation procedures are followed for each system, then software can be deployed across multiple computing systems, but hardware and software incompatibilities may arise
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a master installation image from a verified correct installation, the patent ensures that the same proven configuration is copied to all target systems. This approach maintains reliability across different hardware and software environments while ensuring adaptability through the use of system-specific variable substitution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs variable substitution to adjust system-specific parameters in the master installation image before copying to target systems. Configuration files and scripts contain placeholders for system-specific values (such as computer names, network settings, and hardware identifiers) that are automatically replaced during the deployment process. This ensures compatibility with different systems while maintaining the reliability of the core software installation.
3Productivity
If installation templates with system-specific references are used, then rapid deployment across multiple systems is achieved, but the template must be generalized to work on different computing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages template complexity by systematically replacing system-specific parameters with standardized variables. Configuration files, scripts, and registry entries use placeholder syntax (such as %COMPUTERNAME% or %SYSTEMROOT%) that represents system-specific values. During deployment, these variables are automatically substituted with the appropriate values for each target system, enabling rapid deployment without manually editing the template for each system.
Solution Approach 2:
The master installation image is designed to be universal across multiple computing systems by using variable substitution for system-specific parameters. The same template can be deployed to diverse systems (different hardware configurations, operating system versions, and network environments) by automatically adapting the system-specific values while maintaining the core software installation and configuration.
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.