Software Artifact Distribution Across Secure Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software artifact management systems face challenges in securely and efficiently transferring artifacts between different environments, such as test and production environments, due to the presence of security measures that prohibit direct communication, leading to potential human errors and lack of automated error recovery.
Innovation Solution
A distribution controller operates with declarative and intent-based rules, using environmental descriptors to automate the transfer of software artifacts across environments, ensuring security and reducing human error through automated error recovery and documentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If security measures (firewalls, network address translation devices, intrusion detection prevention devices) are implemented to prevent unauthorized distribution of software artifacts across environments, then security is improved, but automated artifact distribution capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a distribution controller as an intermediary component that operates within secure environments to manage software artifact distribution. This controller acts as a mediator between the central repository and edge repositories, enabling automated artifact transfer while maintaining security through controlled access and authorization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service capabilities where the distribution controller automatically manages artifact distribution based on environmental descriptors and declarative rules. The system can autonomously determine which artifacts need to be transferred between environments without requiring manual intervention, while still adhering to security policies.
2Reliability
If manual direction of software artifact distribution is used, then security control is improved, but human error increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the distribution controller continuously monitors the distribution process and environmental state. Environmental descriptors provide feedback about the current state of software environments, allowing the system to automatically adjust distribution operations and recover from errors without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining environmental descriptors and declarative rules that specify how artifacts should be distributed. These pre-configured rules enable automated decision-making during artifact distribution, reducing the need for manual direction and minimizing human error while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If edge repository state is preserved to facilitate error recovery, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses environmental descriptors as copies or representations of the desired edge repository state. These descriptors store metadata about artifacts and their intended locations, serving as a simplified copy of the complex repository state information. This copying approach enables error recovery without requiring the system to track and manage the full complexity of actual repository states.
Data Source
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AI summary
In general, a device comprising a processor and a memory may be configured to perform various aspects of the techniques described in this disclosure. A distribution controller configured to support a software artifact management system may comprise a memory and a processor configured to perform the techniques. The memory may store an environmental descriptor that identifies one or more software artifacts stored to a central repository located in an unsecure environment. The processor may generate, based on the environmental descriptor, one or more distribution operations specifying that at least one software artifact of the one or more software artifacts is to be distributed to a secure environment from the unsecure environment. The processor may also transmit, to the central repository, the one or more distribution operations to cause the central repository to transfer the at least one software artifact to the edge repository in the secure environment.