Analogizing Configuration Data for Restricted System Components

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current configuration management systems struggle to collect sufficient configuration information for components with restricted discovery, such as unregistered hardware/software elements or those without a discovery agent, as existing methods are inadequate for handling access restrictions.

Innovation Solution

A system that identifies restricted components by analyzing connection information from other components, uses pattern data to analogize configuration information, and forms configuration items (CIs) in a configuration management database, allowing for the display and updating of analogized information alongside actual data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If discovery methods are used to collect configuration information, then configuration information about accessible components can be obtained, but configuration information about restricted components cannot be collected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration informationVSAvoidaccess restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using pattern data as a mediator between the discovery system and restricted components. Instead of directly accessing restricted components, the system uses pattern data derived from accessible components to infer and reconstruct configuration information about restricted components, thereby bypassing the access restriction barrier

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates copies of configuration information by generating analogized configuration data for restricted components based on patterns observed from accessible components. This copying mechanism allows the system to reconstruct missing configuration information without directly accessing the restricted components, effectively losing no information despite access restrictions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If pattern data is used to analogize configuration information, then configuration information for restricted components can be obtained, but the accuracy may be reduced compared to actual data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration informationVSAvoidconfiguration information accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously compares and integrates actual configuration data with analogized configuration data. When actual data becomes available for restricted components, it feeds back to update and refine the pattern-based analogies, thereby improving accuracy over time while maintaining the ability to recover lost information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-establishing pattern data from accessible components before restricted components become accessible. This preliminary pattern creation allows the system to immediately reconstruct configuration information when restricted components are encountered, reducing information loss while the accuracy can be progressively improved as actual data becomes available

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If configuration management systems use traditional discovery methods, then the system structure remains simple, but the ability to manage restricted components is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent management capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by making the configuration management system multi-functional. The same system that collects actual configuration data from accessible components also performs pattern recognition and analogization to recover data from restricted components. This universal approach enhances adaptability to handle both accessible and restricted components without requiring separate specialized systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the configuration management process into distinct functional modules: actual data collection, pattern data generation, analogization engine, and integration layer. This segmentation allows the system to maintain a relatively simple overall structure while incorporating advanced capabilities for handling restricted components through specialized sub-modules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8996692B2Forming configuration information about components of systems which include components for which acquisition of configuration information is restricted

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A mechanism is provided for managing configuration information about components of a management target system. Identification is made of the existence of a first component from configuration information about one or more other components except the first component. Pattern data is stored for analogizing configuration information about a component for which acquisition of the configuration information is restricted, the pattern data being associated with a set of one or more conditions and attribute values. Pattern data is retrieved whose configuration information about a component related to the first component, among the one or more other components, satisfies the set of conditions. Analogized configuration information is formed about the first component using attribute values associated with the retrieved pattern data.