Analogizing Configuration Information for Restricted Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing configuration management systems struggle to collect sufficient configuration information for components with restricted discovery, such as unregistered hardware/software elements or those without installed agent programs, as current methods are inadequate for handling discovery-restricted components.
Innovation Solution
A system that identifies restricted components through connection information with other components, uses pattern data to analogize configuration information, and forms configuration items (CIs) in a configuration management database, allowing for the display and eventual replacement with actual information when available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering 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 discovery-restricted components cannot be collected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses other components as intermediaries to indirectly obtain configuration information about discovery-restricted components. By collecting configuration information from accessible components that have relationships with restricted components, the system can infer and restore the configuration information of restricted components without directly accessing them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates analogized configuration information as copies or representations of the actual configuration information for restricted components. These analogized CIs mirror the structure and relationships of real CIs, allowing the system to work with restricted components as if their full information were available.
2Loss of information
If configuration information is analogized from other components, then configuration information for restricted components can be obtained, but the information may not be accurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system monitors for actual configuration information of restricted components becoming available. When real information is obtained, it replaces the previously analogized information, ensuring continuous improvement of accuracy and validation of the analogized data against actual values.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary restoration of configuration information using analogized data before actual information is available. This preliminary action allows the system to function with approximate data, and subsequent acquisition of real information serves to verify and correct the preliminary restoration.
Data Source
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.