Abstract:
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for installing client application. In one aspect, a method includes receiving user identification data at the client device, determining a client application configuration based on the user identification data, and configure a client application on the client device according to the specified client application configuration.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This specification relates to installing applications on client devices. 
     Business entities require both telecommunication access and Internet access to operate efficiently. Often the telecommunication access can be implemented by use of voice over IP (“VoIP”) platforms. However, many business entities—particularly small business entities—do not have the technical expertise and/or financial resources to establish and maintain communication systems that provide broadband voice and data capabilities. These business entities thus often enter into agreements with custom providers of voice and broadband Internet services. One such provider is CBeyond, Inc., of Atlanta, Ga., USA, which provides customized packages and support for broadband voice and Internet access to enterprises. The customized packages can include a variety of Internet/data services, voice services, security services, remote access services, and mobile services. Examples of such services can include web hosting and domain services, mail server hosting, local and long-distance phone services, voicemail, firewalls, file sharing and secured file backup, to name just a few. 
     To provide these services for an enterprise, representatives of the provider will install one or more client applications on client devices (e.g., personal computers) located at the enterprise premises. Each client device may receive different client application installations and configurations, depending on the services that the enterprise has chosen to receive, and on restrictions of services to particular persons in the enterprise. Furthermore, many client devices may already have preinstalled client applications that provide the functionality the services require. Accordingly, configuring each client device according to the services available to the user of the client device while minimizing the installation of client applications that provide the same functionality of preinstalled client applications can be a labor-intensive process. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include receiving user identification data at the client device, the user identification data specifying a user identifier; sending the user identification data to an authentication server; receiving configuration specification data from the authentication server, the configuration specification data specifying a client application configuration associated with user identification data; and determine whether the specified client application configuration is a first configuration or a second configuration. In response to determining that the specified client application configuration is the first configuration, installing and configuring a first client application on the client device. In response to determining that the specified client application configuration is the second configuration, determining whether the client device has a supported client application installed on the client device, the supported client application having the same functionality of the first client application. In response to determining that the client device has a supported second client installed on the client device, configure the supported second application on the client device; and in response to determining that the client device does not have a supported second client application installed on the client device, providing user instructions to configure a plurality of second client applications. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products. 
     These and other embodiments can optionally include one or more of the following features. An authentication service can receive the identification data transmitted from the client device; authenticate the user identifier specified by the identification data and select an associated client application configuration in response to authenticating the user identifier; generate the configuration specification data specifying a client application configuration associated with user identification data; and send the configuration specification data to the client device. 
     Optionally, in response to determining that the client device does not have a supported second client application installed on the client device, the first client application can be installed and configured on the client device. 
     Particular embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented to realize one or more of the following advantages. Provisioning of configuration data simplifies installation of client applications on client devices. A common application installation utility can be used to install a client application or configure one or more existing client applications on a client device. The installation of the client application can be predicated on the user of the client device being authorized for a complete client configuration. The configuration of one or more existing client applications can be predicated on the user of the client device only being authorized for a basic configuration, and the configuration of existing client applications can minimize the use of per-seat licenses and minimize the installation of client software having redundant functionality. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an environment in which a client application installer is used. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of an example process for installing client applications on a client device. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of an example process for installing and/or configuring mail client applications on a client device. 
         FIG. 4  is block diagram of an example computer architecture. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an environment  100  in which a client application installer is used. A computer network  102 , such as the Internet connects an enterprise  110 , such as a business entity, and an authentication server  130 . The enterprise  110  includes a plurality of first client devices  112  and second client devices  114 . A client device is an electronic device that is under control of a user and is capable of requesting and receiving data over the network  102 . Example client devices include personal computers, mobile communication devices, and other devices that can send and receive data over the network  102 . 
     The enterprise  110  has contracted with a broadband voice and data service provider  130  to receive broadband voice and data services over the network  102 . According to the needs of particular users in the enterprise  110 , the client devices  112  and  114  may have different client applications installed and different configurations of those client applications. Installation of these different applications and different configurations of the client devices  112  and  114  are facilitated by configuration data  120  and client instructions  122 . 
     The configuration data  120  are used to configure client applications according to a plurality of client application configurations. Each client application configuration is associated with a corresponding user identifier. For example, depending on the service package purchased by the enterprise  110 , a user identifier may be associated with either a complete configuration or a basic configuration. In some implementations, a complete configuration results in an installation of a particular mail client application, e.g., Microsoft Outlook 2007, on an associated client device, and the mail client application is configured for an account on mail server  150  hosted by the provider. This installation and configuration occurs regardless of whether there are other mail client applications installed on an associated client device. 
     Conversely, a basic configuration results in a determination of whether a supported mail client application is currently installed on the associated client device. If a supported mail client application is currently installed on the associated client device, the supported mail client application is configured with a mail account for the mail server  150  hosted by the provider  130 . However, if a supported mail client application is not currently installed on the associated client device, the user of the client device is provided instructions for manual configuration of mail client applications to communicate with the mail server  150 . 
     The client instructions  122  are executable by the client devices, and operable to cause the client devices to send user identification data that specify a user identifier to an authentication server  140 , receive configuration specification data in response, and install and or configure client applications as described above. 
     In some implementations, the configuration data  120  and the client instructions  122  are encoded on a computer readable medium that is accessed by each of the client devices  112  and  114 . For example, the configuration data  120  and the client instructions  122  can be included on a DVD or CD-ROM. In other implementations, the configuration data  120  and the client instructions  122  can be stored in the data store at the authentication server  140 , and provided to each of the client devices  112  and  114  during an installation and configuration process. 
     In some implementations, installation files for installing the client applications can be included in the configuration data  120 . In other implementations, the installation files can be stored at the authentication server  140 , and provided to each of the client devices  112  and  114  during the installation and configuration process. 
     The authentication server  140  is used to authenticate user identification data provided by the client devices  112  and  114 , and to generate and send configuration specification data to the client devices  112  and  114 . For example, the authentication server  140  receives the user identification data transmitted from the client device and authenticates the user identifier specified by the user identification data. In some implementations, the authentication server  140  authenticates the user identifier by checking an association data store  142 . The association data store  142  stores associations of user identifiers and configuration types for authorized user identifiers. 
     These associations are established, for example, when the enterprise  110  sets up its service agreement with the provider  130 . For example, a small enterprise may have only 20 employees, and may already own twenty client devices, each of which have a preinstalled mail client. Rather than incurring the cost of 20 licenses for new mail client, the enterprise  110  may specify only basic configurations of its existing mail client applications. As a result, each of the mail client applications may be configured with a basic mail account associated with a mail server  150  hosted by the provider  130 . Alternatively, the enterprise may decide that a complete installation of a new mail client is needed, e.g., the enterprise may desire to use calendar features, global address book features, shared contact features, etc., that may not be available with a pre-existing mail client applications installed on the client devices. Accordingly, each of the clients of the enterprise may be configured according to complete configuration. 
     In the implementations in which the configuration data  120  and the client instructions  122  are encoded on a DVD or CD-ROM, the client instructions  122  may request updates from the authentication server  140  before initiating installations and or configurations. For example, a client application that is to be installed according to a complete configuration may have been recently updated, e.g., a new patch may have been released. As a result, client installation files stored on the DVD or CD-ROM may be out of date. Files for these updates can be stored in an update store  144 , and the necessary updated installation files can be provided to the client device if needed. 
     Processes for installing a configuring client applications in client devices are describe more fully with respect to  FIGS. 2 and 3  below. 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of an example process  200  for installing client applications on a client device. Portions of the process  200  take place on a client device, i.e., the process blocks on the left-hand side of the page, while other portions of the process  200  take place on an authentication server, the process blocks on the right-hand side of the page. 
     User identification data is received ( 202 ). For example, an employee of the provider  130 , or an employee of the enterprise  110 , may initiate an installation and configuration process using the configuration data  120  and the client instructions  122 . Upon initiating installation process, the client device prompts the user for user identification data. This user identification data can be a unique password and identifier associated with the user, such as an e-mail address and a default password. 
     The user identification data is sent to an authentication server ( 204 ). For example, the client instructions  122  calls client device to transmit the user identification data to the authentication server  140 . 
     At the authentication server, the user identification data is received from the client device ( 220 ). The authentication server that determines whether the user identification data identifies an authenticated user ( 222 ). For example, the authentication server can check the association data store  142  to determine whether the user identifier specified by the user authentication data is an authorized identifier. 
     In response to a positive determination, the authentication server generates configuration specification data, and sends the configuration specification data to the client device ( 224 ). The configuration identification data specifies a client application configuration associated with the user identifier. For example, the association data store  142  can specify whether a user identifier is associated with a first configuration type, e.g., a complete configuration, or a second configuration type, e.g., a basic configuration. This configuration type can be represented in the configuration specification data. 
     In response to the negative determination, the authentication server  140  generates unauthenticated response data and sends the unauthenticated response data to the client device. The unauthenticated response data specifies that the user identification data is either not found in the association data store  142 , or that no configuration is specified for the user identifier that is found in the association data store  142 . 
     The configuration specification data (or unauthenticated response data) is received at the client device ( 206 ), and a client application configuration type is determined ( 208 ). For example, the client instructions  122 , executing on the client device, cause the client device to determine whether the received data specify a basic configuration, a complete configuration, or an unauthenticated user identifier. 
     If a complete configuration is specified, a first client application is installed and configured on the client device ( 210 ). For example, a mail client, such as Microsoft Outlook 2007, can be installed on the client device and configured with a profile for the user. 
     Conversely, if a basic configuration is specified, then the client device determines if a supported client application is already installed on the client device ( 212 ). For example, the configuration data  120  may specify a plurality of supported client applications, such as other mail client applications, or the same client application that is installed during a complete configuration (e.g., Outlook 2007, Outlook 2003, Outlook express, Windows Mail, Live Mail, etc.). 
     If a supported client application is installed, then the client device automatically configures the supported client application ( 214 ). In some implementations, the supported application can be other client applications that have the same functionality as the client application that is installed during the complete configuration. For example, a basic mail account may be added to a pre-existing mail client application on the client device. The basic mail account can correspond to a simple POP3 mail account, specifying the user name, password, and the mail server address. 
     If a supported client application is not installed, the client device performs a secondary configuration process ( 216 ). In some implementations, the secondary configuration process provides user instructions to configure plurality of second client applications. For example, a secondary configuration process can provide user instructions for configuring a POP3 mail account, or configuring one of a plurality of freely available web e-mail accounts. 
     In some implementations, the secondary configuration process can be an installation of the client application that is installed in the complete configuration. The installation can, for example, be subject to an approval by the enterprise  110 , as such installation may incur a per seat license fee. Other secondary configuration processes can also be used. 
     Finally, if unauthenticated response data is received at the client device, then the client device precludes a configuration of a client application ( 218 ). For example, a notice can be provided on the client device display indicating that the identification data for the user was not authenticated, or that the user was authenticated but is not authorized to have the client application installed or have a pre-existing client application configured. 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of an example process  300  for installing and/or configuring mail client applications on a client device. As with  FIG. 2 , portions of the process  300  take place on a client device, while other portions take place at a hosting and authentication service. The process  300  is directed to the configuration of a mail client application. 
     The client device prompts the user for an e-mail address and password ( 302 ). The e-mail address and password can, for example, be an e-mail address and password assigned to a user when the enterprise  110  secures the hosting services of the provider  130 . 
     Login credentials are received at the client device ( 304 ), and provided to the hosting authentication service ( 306 ). The hosting authentication service checks login credentials to determine if the login credentials correspond to an authorized user. If the login credentials correspond to an authorized user, and the hosting authentication service sends an e-mail username and configuration type to the client device, and the client device receives the user name and associates it with the login credentials ( 308 ). 
     The client device then determines whether the configuration type is a basic configuration or complete configuration ( 310 ). If the configuration is a complete configuration, the client device installs and configures a mail client application on the client device for mail server hosted by the hosting service  130 . In some implementations, the client instructions  122  can cause the client device to determine whether a copy of the most current version of the mail client application that is installed during a complete configuration is currently installed on the client device. If so, then installation of the client application is omitted, an existing client application is configured. For example, if the client application that is installed during the complete installation as Microsoft Outlook 2007, and the client device detects that the most current version of this application is already installed, then only a mail profile is configured on the client device. 
     If the configuration is a basic configuration, then the client determines if a supported mail client application is installed as the default mail client on the client device ( 314 ). For example, the client instructions can cause the client device to determine if one or more client applications specified by the configuration data  120  are installed on the client device. 
     If a supported mail client application is installed as the default mail client on the client device, then the client device is configured to support a client application for mail server hosted by the hosting service  130 . For example, the default mail client may be configured with a POP3 mail account for the hosted mail server  150 . 
     Conversely, if the client device does not have a supported mail client application installed, then the client device provides user instructions for manual configuration of mail client applications before the mail server  150 . For example, instructions can be provided for downloading free mail client applications and manually configuring a POP3 account, and/or for manually configuring one of several freely available webmail accounts. 
       FIG. 4  is block diagram of an example computer architecture  400 . The architecture  400  can be used to implement client devices and server devices. The architecture  400  includes a processor  410 , a memory  420 , a storage device  430 , and an input/output device  440 . Each of the components  410 ,  420 ,  430 , and  440  can be interconnected, for example, using a system bus  450 . The processor  410  is capable of processing instructions for execution. In one implementation, the processor  410  is a single-threaded processor. In another implementation, the processor  410  is a multi-threaded processor. The processor  410  is capable of processing instructions stored in the memory  420  or on the storage device  430 . 
     The memory  420  stores digital information. In one implementation, the memory  420  is a computer-readable medium. The memory  420  can include a volatile memory unit and non-volatile memory unit. 
     The storage device  430  is capable of providing mass storage. In various different implementations, the storage device  430  can include, for example, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or some other large capacity storage device. 
     The input/output device  440  provides input/output operations. In one implementation, the input/output device  440  can include one or more of a network interface devices, e.g., an Ethernet card, a serial communication device, e.g., and RS-232 port, and/or a wireless interface device, e.g., and 802.11 card. In another implementation, the input/output device can include driver devices configured to receive input data and send output data to other input/output devices, e.g., keyboard, printer and display devices  460 . 
     As described above, embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification are implemented in a computing system that includes a back end component, e.g., as a data server, and that includes a front end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matter described is this specification, or any combination of one or more such back end, middleware, or front end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., the Internet. 
     A computer program (also known as a program, instructions, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative or procedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub-programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network. 
     While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
     Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. 
     Particular embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.