Agent Service Configuration Manager for Storage Area Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring and managing agent services in large storage area networks is cumbersome due to the need for manual editing of complex configuration files, which can lead to errors and inefficiencies as the number of agents increases.
Innovation Solution
A data structure and agent-service-configuration manager are provided, allowing for the easy configuration of agent services through a graphical user interface, where users can select agent types, services, and parameters, with dynamic determination of available services and parameters, and storage of parameter associations to simplify the configuration process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual editing of complex configuration files is used to configure agent services, then configuration flexibility is maintained, but configuration complexity and error rate increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary configuration manager component that mediates between the user and the complex agent service configuration system. This manager provides a simplified interface that automatically parses user input, validates configurations, and generates the necessary configuration files, thereby reducing the complexity users face while maintaining the flexibility of manual configuration options.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of editing configuration files with an automated electronic configuration management system. This system uses software-based configuration generation, validation, and management tools that automatically create and manage agent service configurations, eliminating the need for users to manually edit complex configuration files while preserving configuration flexibility.
2Productivity
If the number of agents in the storage area network increases, then network capacity and functionality improve, but configuration time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing pre-configured agent service templates and configurations that can be reused across multiple agents. The configuration manager stores and manages these templates, allowing administrators to quickly deploy new agents by selecting and customizing pre-defined configurations rather than creating configurations from scratch for each agent, thereby reducing configuration time as network capacity increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables copying of agent configurations by allowing administrators to replicate existing agent service configurations across multiple agents. The configuration manager facilitates this by storing configuration data that can be copied and applied to multiple agents, significantly reducing the time and effort required to configure large numbers of agents while maintaining network capacity expansion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive agent services are enabled for each agent type, then functionality and monitoring capability improve, but configuration complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling selective activation of agent services based on specific agent types and individual agent characteristics. The configuration manager allows administrators to enable only the necessary services for each agent rather than enabling all services universally, thereby maintaining comprehensive functionality where needed while reducing configuration complexity and resource consumption for agents that don't require all services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making agent service configurations flexible and adaptable rather than static. The configuration manager allows services to be dynamically enabled or disabled based on agent type, licensing information, and operational requirements. This dynamic configuration approach maintains comprehensive functionality when needed while reducing complexity by allowing selective service activation, and changes can be made without reconfiguring the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
Data structures, methods, and apparatus useful in configuring agent services operating in a storage area network are provided. The data structures may include a list of agent types for which agent services are configurable for operation by agents of those agent types in a storage area network; for each agent type in the list of agent types, a corresponding list of configurable agent services operable by agents of the agent type; for each configurable agent service in each list of configurable agent services, a corresponding list of configurable parameters for the configurable agent service; and for each configurable parameter in each list of configurable parameters, at least one parameter value associated with the configurable parameter. Procedures and apparatus are provided for configuring agent services by updating elements of the data structures and providing the updated elements to the agent services.