Automation Controller for IT Infrastructure Upgrade Orchestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Upgrading large-scale IT infrastructure is labor-intensive and time-consuming, often requiring large teams and resulting in lengthy project timelines, along with potential unavailability of critical infrastructure during upgrades.
Innovation Solution
An automation controller is implemented to centralize and automate the upgrade process for IT infrastructure, enabling single-administrator management, parallel upgrades, and reducing human error through automated execution of firmware and patch upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual upgrade process with large teams is used, then reliability of upgrade execution is improved, but productivity and upgrade speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated software agents. Upgrade agents automatically execute firmware updates, patch applications, and configure devices without human intervention, while validation agents verify successful completion. This substitution of manual processes with automated systems maintains reliability through systematic execution while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating human speed limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The upgrade system performs self-validation through validation agents that automatically check whether upgrades were successfully applied. The system self-manages the upgrade process by having agents independently execute tasks, monitor their own progress, and report status without requiring continuous human oversight, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling parallel execution for improved productivity.
2Reliability
If sequential upgrade approach is used, then reliability of each individual upgrade is improved, but loss of time and productivity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the upgrade process into independent segmentable tasks that can be executed in parallel. Each target device receives its own upgrade agent that independently performs firmware updates, while validation agents separately verify each device. This segmentation allows simultaneous execution of multiple upgrades without interfering with each other's reliability, thereby reducing total upgrade time while maintaining individual upgrade quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs validation actions excessively by having separate validation agents independently verify each upgrade operation. This excessive validation ensures reliability of each individual upgrade while the parallel execution of multiple validation tasks simultaneously reduces the overall time required, as validations occur concurrently rather than sequentially.
3Productivity
If parallel upgrade execution is implemented, then productivity and upgrade speed are improved, but complexity of managing multiple upgrades worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal upgrade agents that can execute the same standardized upgrade protocol across diverse target devices. These multi-functional agents handle firmware updates, validation, and reporting in a unified manner regardless of the specific device type. This universality simplifies management of parallel upgrades by providing a consistent interface and process for all devices, reducing complexity while maintaining high productivity through parallel execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary controller devices that coordinate between the central management system and multiple target devices. These intermediaries manage the complexity of parallel executions by handling device-specific protocols, monitoring multiple upgrades simultaneously, and reporting consolidated status. This intermediary layer shields the management system from complexity while enabling high-throughput parallel upgrades.
4Reliability
If comprehensive validation of each upgrade is performed, then reliability and error reduction are improved, but loss of time worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The validation process operates continuously and concurrently with the upgrade execution rather than sequentially after completion. Validation agents continuously monitor upgrade progress and perform verification checks in parallel with the actual firmware application. This continuous validation maintains high reliability by ensuring each upgrade is properly verified while minimizing additional time through concurrent execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs excessive validation by deploying separate validation agents for each upgrade operation, ensuring thorough verification. This excessive validation approach maintains reliability by independently verifying each upgrade, while the parallel execution of multiple validation agents simultaneously reduces the total validation time, as validations occur concurrently rather than in sequence.
Data Source
AI summary
An automation controller is disclosed which provides central management of an automated upgrade process in an IT infrastructure. In an example, one or more hardware processors are configured as a central initiation point for the automated upgrade process by machine-readable instructions. The machine-readable instructions are executable to identify, based on at least one automation input file, at least one target node in the at least one IT infrastructure to be upgraded. The machine-readable instructions are also executable to associate at least one patch firmware bundle with the at least one target node in the at least one IT infrastructure. The machine-readable instructions are also executable to execute an automation code script. The machine-readable instructions are also executable to manage the automated upgrade process through to exception or successful completion of the automated upgrade process at the at least one target node in the at least one IT infrastructure.