Cloning Agent for Multi-Cloud Virtual Machine Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for implementing virtual compute instances in cloud computing environments are resource-intensive, requiring significant developer time and resources, and lead to inconsistent and complex troubleshooting due to the varied implementations across different cloud environments.
Innovation Solution
A compute cloning system that provides base templates with a cloning agent, which analyzes virtual hardware to identify the cloud environment, determines applicable APIs, and configures virtual machines based on obtained configuration data, thereby streamlining the provisioning process across multiple cloud environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual compute instances are implemented in different cloud computing environments using current techniques, then the instances can be deployed across multiple clouds, but significant developer time and resources are consumed and troubleshooting becomes inconsistent and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal cloning agent that can operate across multiple cloud computing environments (AWS, Azure, GCP, etc.) through a single standardized interface. The agent identifies the target cloud environment and automatically adapts to its specific cloning mechanisms, providing multi-cloud functionality without requiring separate implementation for each provider. This resolves the contradiction by enabling broad adaptability while maintaining consistent, simplified operational procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloning agent serves as an intermediary layer between the user and the diverse cloud environment cloning mechanisms. It abstracts the complexity of different cloud providers' cloning processes behind a unified interface, handling environment-specific details automatically. This mediator approach allows users to deploy across multiple clouds using consistent procedures while the agent manages the underlying complexity and variability of each environment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual compute instances are implemented in different cloud computing environments using current techniques, then the instances can be deployed across multiple clouds, but significant developer resources and time are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements base templates that are pre-configured with the cloning agent and essential software configurations. These templates are prepared in advance and can be rapidly cloned across different cloud environments without requiring developers to perform time-consuming setup procedures each time. The preliminary preparation of standardized templates significantly reduces the time and resources needed for deployment while maintaining multi-cloud adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs template cloning as the core mechanism, where a single base template containing the cloning agent and configuration can be copied and deployed across multiple cloud environments. This copying approach eliminates the need to build and configure virtual compute instances from scratch for each cloud provider, dramatically reducing developer time and resources while enabling broad multi-cloud deployment capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If varied implementations are used across different cloud environments, then each environment can be optimized for its specific mechanisms, but troubleshooting becomes inconsistent and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cloning agent acts as a consistent intermediary that operates the same way across all cloud environments, providing a standardized troubleshooting interface and process. While it adapts to environment-specific cloning mechanisms, the agent's core functionality, logging, and error handling remain consistent. This allows operations teams to use uniform troubleshooting procedures regardless of which cloud environment is involved, resolving the contradiction between environment-specific optimization and operational consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements homogeneous base templates and cloning agent behavior that remain consistent across different cloud environments. The agent uses standardized identification, configuration, and troubleshooting procedures that work uniformly across AWS, Azure, GCP, and other clouds. This homogeneity in the cloning process and operational interface simplifies troubleshooting and maintenance while still allowing adaptation to each environment's specific technical requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A device associated with a cloud computing environment may receive a selection of a modified template with a cloning agent, and may generate a modified template clone, with the cloning agent, based on the selection of the modified template. The device may analyze, via the cloning agent, virtual hardware of the cloud computing environment to generate fingerprints, and may identify, via the cloning agent, the cloud computing environment based on the fingerprints. The device may determine, via the cloning agent, one or more application programming interfaces based on identification of the cloud computing environment, and may utilize, via the cloning agent, the one or more application programming interfaces to obtain configuration data. The device may configure, via the cloning agent, a virtual machine of the modified template clone, based on the configuration data and to generate a configured virtual machine, and may enable the configured virtual machine to be utilized.