Blockchain Container Registry Image Splitting

Solution Overview

Problem

Current container image storage solutions face challenges such as excessive setup and maintenance time, storage constraints, and ongoing fees with third-party providers, while also risking image pruning or requiring users to manage their own registries.

Innovation Solution

A blockchain-based container registry that splits container images into multiple parts, each stored in separate transactions with unique identifiers, allowing for secure, decentralized storage and retrieval without reliance on centralized providers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If container images are stored using third-party registry providers, then storage and retrieval are simplified, but storage fees and risk of image pruning increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage and retrieval simplicityVSAvoidimage availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a blockchain-based intermediary layer between users and storage infrastructure. Instead of directly relying on third-party providers or self-managing registries, users interact through smart contracts that automatically handle storage, retrieval, and payment. This intermediary eliminates the need for direct relationships with traditional registry providers, ensuring image availability through decentralized storage while maintaining operational simplicity through automated contract execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service through autonomous smart contracts that automatically manage container image storage and retrieval without requiring users to manually configure registry settings or manage infrastructure. The contracts handle payment processing, image registration, and retrieval logic automatically, eliminating the need for users to either pay ongoing fees to third parties or invest time in maintaining their own registry infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If users manage their own container registries, then control and security are improved, but setup and maintenance time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol and securityVSAvoidsetup and maintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through autonomous smart contracts that automatically manage container image storage and retrieval without requiring users to manually configure registry settings or manage infrastructure. The contracts handle payment processing, image registration, and retrieval logic automatically, eliminating the need for users to either pay ongoing fees to third parties or invest time in maintaining their own registry infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The blockchain-based registry system provides universal functionality that combines multiple features into a single platform: decentralized storage, automated payment processing, image versioning, and retrieval management. This multi-functional approach allows users to gain the control and security of self-managed registries without needing to implement each function separately, significantly reducing setup and maintenance time while maintaining full control over their container images.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If container images are divided into multiple parts and stored on blockchain, then storage security and integrity are improved, but storage complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage integrityVSAvoidstorage structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides container images into multiple discrete parts or blocks that are individually stored on the blockchain. Each image is segmented into manageable units that can be independently verified, stored, and retrieved. This segmentation improves integrity through cryptographic hashing of each part while the smart contract maintains the overall structure, balancing security requirements with manageable complexity through automated assembly during retrieval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11436032B2Blockchain-based container image registry

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 RED HAT INC

AI summary

Methods and systems for storing and retrieving container images are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided including receiving a container image, which may include executable code, and dividing the container image into a plurality of image parts. One or more image upload transactions may then be generated, and each of the image upload transactions may include at least one of the plurality of image parts. The image upload transactions may be stored on the blockchain. The image upload transactions may also include a unique identifier generated to link the plurality of image upload transactions.