Differential software provisioning on virtual machines having different configurations

摘要

Embodiments relate to systems and methods for differential software provisioning on virtual machines having different configurations. A provisioning (or “cobbler”) server can interact with a local virtual machine installation client to initiate a software provisioning process to diverse sets of virtual machines. The provisioning process can entail, for example, the selection and delivery of an operating system to the diverse sets of virtual machines, as well as the installation of applications or other software. In conjunction with the provisioning process, the koan client can identify the virtual machine configuration or type for the various virtual machine sets, such as those based or hosted on a Xen virtualization type, a VMware virtualization type, or kernel-based virtual machine (KVM) type. The cobbler server can generate differentiated versions of the virtualized installations for the different types of target virtual machines, compatible with the various configurations. The supported virtual types can be extensible.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving a request to provision software on a first virtual machine of a first virtual machine type and on a second virtual machine of a second virtual machine type that is different than the first virtual machine type; and provisioning, by a processor, in response to the request, the software on the first virtual machine and on the second virtual machine in view of a hierarchy of commands associated with a type of provisioning of the software on the first virtual machine and the second virtual machine, wherein the hierarchy of commands comprises a first level corresponding to tasks of an operating system associated with the first virtual machine and the second virtual machine and a second level corresponding to commands to associate a configuration file with a distribution of the software, and wherein the second level is higher in the hierarchy than the first level, wherein the first virtual machine and the second virtual machine receive different versions of the software when the software is of a first type, and wherein the first virtual machine and the second virtual machine receive the same version of the software when the software is of a second type.