Abstract: In a method for installing software, distinct image files, each of which corresponds to a software bundle resident in a reference storage medium of a reference computer that was built according to a specified hardware and software configuration, stored in a master storage medium of a server that is coupled to the reference computers via a communications network are copied into copying storage media installed in copying computers. Each copying computer is configured to copy a selected image file in the copying storage medium that is installed therein into a corresponding target storage medium, which is coupled externally thereto via a connector unit. The selected image file corresponds to hardware configuration of a target computer and having a desired software configuration.

Abstract: When installing software bundles on target computers, a set of distinct image files is first created, each of which corresponds to a software bundle resident in a reference storage medium of a reference computer that was built according to a specified hardware and software configuration. The image files are copied into each of a plurality of target storage mediums. The target computers are built according to the specified hardware configuration of one of the previously created image files, and have the target storage mediums installed therein. Each target computer is then enabled to select one of the image files in its target storage medium, the selected image file corresponding to the hardware configuration of the target computer and having a desired software configuration. Finally, for each target computer, the selected image file is decoded to result in the software bundle that is stored in the target storage medium.