Appliance Image Software Update via State Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software deployment and updates of complex server applications are time-consuming and prone to failure due to complex interactions between hardware and software configurations, and existing update methods do not start from a known state, increasing the risk of failure or undesired behavior.
Innovation Solution
Separate state data from the existing software stack, store it separately, and replace the existing software stack with an updated image, configuring the new stack with the injected state data to form a reliable and efficient update process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional software deployment methods are used, then software applications can be installed and configured, but the process is time-consuming and involves complex user input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the complete software stack including operating system, application software, and all dependencies in an appliance image before deployment. This eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site installation and configuration steps, allowing the software to be deployed simply by copying the pre-configured image to the target system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating appliance images that are replicated and copied to target systems. The appliance image contains a complete, self-contained software stack that can be copied across multiple systems without requiring reconfiguration, significantly speeding up deployment while maintaining consistency across the software environment.
2Reliability
If traditional software update methods are used, then existing software can be updated, but the update does not start from a known state increasing the risk of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies extraction by separating the software stack into a self-contained appliance image that can be extracted and replaced as a complete unit. This isolation allows the software to be updated by replacing the entire appliance image rather than modifying existing installations, ensuring updates always start from a known, tested state and reducing update failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by versioning appliance images with specific configuration parameters and state information. Each appliance image is built with defined parameters representing a known good state, allowing reliable updates by switching to a new versioned image rather than incrementally modifying the existing software stack.
3Productivity
If pre-built appliance images are used, then deployment time is reduced, but updating still requires numerous operations and does not start from a known state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the appliance image format to serve multiple functions: initial deployment, software updates, and system restoration. The same appliance image structure and replacement mechanism used for initial deployment is also used for updates, providing a universal process that is simple and consistent regardless of whether it's the first installation or an update operation.
Data Source
AI summary
State data can be separated from an existing software stack stored in one or more computer storage units in a computer system. The existing software stack can include operating system software and application software, and the state data can represent one or more states of the existing software stack. An image can be stored in one or more computer storage units in the computer system, and the stored image can form an updated software stack including operating system and application software. In addition, the updated software stack can be configured using the state data.