Aggregation Module for Unified CIM Object via Priority-Based Data Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Common Information Model (CIM) systems face challenges in aggregating data from multiple sources into a single interface for system components, requiring complex interfacing with various data sources and lacking a standardized method for prioritizing data accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that aggregate data from multiple sources by requesting and prioritizing data from each source, using an aggregation module to combine CIM objects into a single aggregated CIM object, with configuration settings determining precedence and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a CIM provider aggregates data from multiple sources (IPMI, HAL, SMBIOS, sysfs, third party sources) into a single CIM object, then a unified interface is provided for system component information, but the complexity of interfacing with each data source increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a profile provider as an intermediary component that sits between the CIM provider and multiple data sources. This profile provider manages the complexity of interfacing with IPMI, HAL, SMBIOS, sysfs, and third-party sources by providing a standardized profile-based interface. The profile provider aggregates data from these diverse sources according to a defined profile, thereby simplifying the CIM provider's interface requirements while maintaining unified access to system component information.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple data sources are used to represent system components, then comprehensive data coverage is achieved, but there is no standardized method for prioritizing data accuracy when conflicts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a priority parameter to the data aggregation process. Each data source is assigned a priority level, and when multiple sources provide data for the same system component, the profile provider uses this priority parameter to determine which data to aggregate and which to discard. This parameter-based approach enables standardized resolution of data conflicts while maintaining comprehensive data coverage from multiple sources.
3Productivity
If a profile provider is required to know how to interface with each data source individually, then complete data aggregation is possible, but the system becomes difficult to maintain and extend
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal profile provider framework that can interface with multiple data sources through a standardized profile mechanism. Instead of requiring the profile provider to have specialized knowledge of each data source's interface, the system uses profiles that define how to access and aggregate data from any source. This multi-functional approach allows the same profile provider to work with IPMI, HAL, SMBIOS, sysfs, and third-party sources without requiring separate specialized implementations for each.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for aggregating data regarding a system component from multiple data sources to provide a single aggregated Common Information Model (“CIM”) object are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises requesting data regarding a system component from a first one of the data sources; upon receipt of the requested system component data from the first one of the data sources, updating an aggregate CIM object for the system component using the received system component data in accordance with a priority of the first one of the data sources relative to the remaining data sources; and repeating the requesting and updating in connection with each of the remaining data sources in accordance with a relative priority of the remaining data source.