Automated Dependency Mapping for Enterprise IT Modernization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy business applications in enterprise IT environments are difficult to maintain, modify, or enhance due to a lack of understanding about their dependencies with other applications, leading to hesitation in making changes and delaying modernization initiatives, as existing methods for generating cross-dependency maps are complex, time-consuming, and infrastructure-centric, failing to analyze the broader impact of changes effectively.
Innovation Solution
An automated system and method for generating cross-application and infrastructure dependency maps using automated code parsing techniques to identify dependencies between business applications and their infrastructure elements, enabling thorough analysis of programming changes and impact assessments, integrating with quality assurance tools to generate test cases and provide objective data on code coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual cross-dependency mapping is performed, then comprehensive dependency analysis can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis with automated code parsing technology. The system uses software agents to automatically traverse application source code, extract dependency relationships, and generate cross-dependency maps without human intervention, thereby eliminating time consumption and human error while maintaining comprehensive analysis accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated dependency analysis system that acts as a mediator between the complex enterprise IT environment and the users needing dependency information. This intermediary automatically performs code parsing, dependency extraction, and map generation, shielding users from the complexity while providing accurate results efficiently
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If infrastructure-centric probing techniques are used, then server infrastructure activities can be detected, but cross-tier dependency analysis cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal dependency analysis system that can handle multiple analysis types through a single platform. The automated code parsing engine can perform infrastructure dependency detection, cross-tier dependency analysis, application-to-infrastructure mapping, and impact assessment all within one system, making it adaptable to various enterprise IT environments and analysis needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the application code layer as a new dimension to the traditional infrastructure-centric analysis. By parsing application source code directly, the system creates a vertical connection from application tier through middleware to infrastructure tier, enabling comprehensive cross-tier dependency analysis that connects software logic with underlying infrastructure resources
3Productivity
If legacy application changes are made without comprehensive dependency analysis, then modernization can proceed quickly, but risks and unintended impacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary automated dependency analysis before any legacy application changes are made. The system pre-generates comprehensive cross-dependency maps and impact assessments, identifying all affected applications, infrastructure components, and potential risks beforehand. This preliminary information enables stakeholders to make informed decisions and plan regression tests in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where dependency analysis results are continuously provided to developers and stakeholders throughout the change process. The automated system monitors code changes, updates dependency maps in real-time, and provides feedback on potential impacts, enabling rapid iteration while maintaining reliability through continuous verification
Data Source
AI summary
A system for infrastructure dependency mapping of an enterprise IT environment includes an application cross-dependency mapping engine configured to generate a multi-tier call hierarchy that, between and within each tier, maps the IT environment across a plurality of software applications of different types via which the IT environment is implemented. The system also includes a topology manager configured to, map the multi-tier call hierarchy to infrastructure elements of the IT enterprise environment, and thereby generate an infrastructure map.