Dynamic Cloud Application Configuration via Service Provider Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cloud computing systems lack dynamic configurability, requiring pre-configuration and re-configuration of servers, which limits flexibility and efficiency in deploying computing applications across multiple virtual instances.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes a configuration file with executable code and metadata to dynamically configure computing applications in a cloud environment, allowing for automatic installation of additional features and services without additional pre-configuration, by interfacing with cloud-specific services through a service provider interface layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If servers are pre-configured with computing applications in cloud computing systems, then deployment is straightforward and reliable, but flexibility and efficiency in starting and stopping servers are reduced due to required manual re-configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining configuration templates and blueprints that contain all necessary configuration data, services, and settings. These templates are prepared in advance and stored in the system, allowing servers to be automatically configured through instantiation rather than manual re-configuration, thus resolving the contradiction between deployment reliability and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automated configuration management where the platform automatically provisions, configures, and manages server instances based on defined templates. The self-service capability allows servers to be dynamically started, stopped, and re-configured without manual intervention, eliminating the time loss associated with manual re-configuration while maintaining deployment reliability.
2Productivity
If computing applications are deployed across multiple virtual instances in the cloud, then scalability and resource sharing are improved, but system complexity increases requiring sophisticated configuration management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a unified configuration management platform that handles multiple virtual instances through standardized templates and blueprints. This universal approach allows the same configuration framework to manage diverse server instances across the cloud infrastructure, enabling scalability while reducing configuration management complexity through consistency and reusability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements segmentation by dividing configuration management into modular components including templates, blueprints, service definitions, and instance configurations. This segmented architecture allows independent management of configuration elements, making it easier to scale the system across multiple virtual instances without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
3Productivity
If manual re-configuration is performed when starting and stopping servers in cloud environments, then configuration accuracy can be maintained, but operational efficiency and speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through automated configuration verification and validation mechanisms that ensure configuration accuracy is maintained during dynamic server operations. The system continuously monitors and verifies configuration states, providing feedback loops that detect and correct deviations, thus maintaining reliability while enabling rapid automated operations without manual re-configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses copying by creating and managing configuration templates and blueprints that serve as master copies. When servers are started or stopped, the system copies and instantiates these templates rather than performing manual re-configuration, ensuring configuration accuracy is maintained through consistent replication while dramatically improving operational efficiency and speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided to deploy a computing application in a cloud using a service provider interface. The system comprises a configuration request detector, a configuration object retriever, and a configuration installer. The configuration request detector receives, at a computer system provided within a virtualization service, a configuration request. The configuration object retriever retrieves a configuration object in response to the configuration request. The configuration installer uses the configuration object, to automatically install a configuration associated with the configuration object to produce a second version of the computing application. The second version of the computing application provides additional features or services according to the definition of the configuration object.