Which of the following is NOT a function of automated configuration management tools?

Automated configuration management tools are designed primarily to manage the configurations of systems and software in a consistent and automated manner. They enable system administrators to enforce predefined configurations across multiple servers, ensuring that systems remain in a desired state.

One of the primary functions of these tools is to provide consistent system configurations. This ensures that all systems maintain the same settings and software versions, which is critical for security and stability. Additionally, these tools manage software dependencies across systems, making sure that the necessary libraries and packages are present to support the applications that are deployed.

In contrast, facilitating manual software installations is not a primary purpose of automated configuration management tools. These tools are optimized for automation and efficiency, which typically excludes repetitive manual tasks. Therefore, while manual installations can occur in a system administration context, they fall outside the intended use of automated configuration management tools, which aim to eliminate the need for manual intervention and reduce the potential for human error.