Multi-Tenant Cloud Config Delta Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cloud computing services lack efficiency and customization for large enterprises, particularly in multi-tenant environments where scalable and secure integration of third-party services is challenging without exposing internal configuration details.
Innovation Solution
A method for creating a unified configuration file by merging a delta file populated by a third-party developer with a master configuration file, using an XML schema, and packaging it in a MAR file for Oracle metadata services, allowing secure execution of third-party extensions within a cloud environment without exposing internal configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If third-party extensions are integrated into the multi-tenant cloud environment, then customization and adaptability are improved, but internal configuration details may be exposed and security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration system is segmented into two distinct parts: a master configuration file containing internal cloud service provider settings and a delta configuration file containing third-party extension settings. This segmentation allows third-party developers to contribute customizations without accessing or exposing the internal master configuration, thereby maintaining security while enabling adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The merge process acts as an intermediary mechanism that combines the master configuration file and delta configuration file into a unified configuration. This intermediary process ensures that third-party extensions are integrated securely without direct access to internal configurations, resolving the contradiction between customization and security.
2Reliability
If a unified configuration file is created by merging master and delta files, then third-party extensions can execute securely, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master configuration file is prepared in advance with all necessary internal settings before third-party extensions are added. This preliminary preparation allows the merge process to simply append delta configurations without requiring complex real-time processing or validation, reducing system complexity while maintaining security.
3Adaptability or versatility
If third-party developers can populate configuration files, then adaptability is improved, but configuration management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The third-party extension configuration is extracted into a separate delta configuration file that is independent of the master configuration file. This extraction allows third-party developers to manage their own configurations without interfering with internal settings, simplifying configuration management while improving adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are described for allowing third party developers to add extensions to a cloud service provider's software as a service (SaaS) services by editing an ‘empty’ config file according to a schema provided by the cloud service provider to form a delta file and then merging the delta file with an internal, full version of the config file. The full config file is then used to initialize and instantiate objects upon a restart of the cloud provider's services.