Cloud Metadata Discovery API for Endpoint Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cloud configurations require manual setup and are prone to human error, making it difficult to change cloud settings without causing downtime, especially when spanning multiple clouds.

Innovation Solution

A cloud metadata discovery API that catalogs and exposes necessary information for building cloud experiences, allowing for automatic discovery and reconfiguration of cloud endpoints, reducing the need for hardcoded information and minimizing downtime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual configuration of cloud endpoints is used, then users can access cloud services, but human error is introduced and accuracy cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoiduser input requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing cloud providers to automatically publish their endpoint metadata through a standardized API. Consumers automatically discover and retrieve the necessary configuration information without manual input, eliminating human error while maintaining ease of access to cloud services

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The metadata discovery mechanism establishes a feedback loop where cloud providers publish their endpoint information, consumers automatically retrieve and utilize this information, and the system continuously updates as cloud configurations change. This ensures high accuracy without requiring repeated manual configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If hardcoded cloud endpoints are used in tools, then cloud services can be accessed, but the system becomes inflexible and difficult to change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecloud reconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static hardcoded endpoints to dynamic metadata discovery. Cloud endpoints are no longer fixed in code but are automatically retrieved from published metadata, allowing flexible reconfiguration as cloud services evolve without requiring system updates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Cloud providers perform preliminary action by publishing their endpoint metadata in advance through the discovery API. This预先 publication allows consumers to automatically access current configuration information without needing to update their systems when cloud endpoints change

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If manual cloud configuration is performed, then applications can be set up, but downtime occurs during reconfiguration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidreconfiguration downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The metadata discovery API enables self-service configuration where consumers automatically retrieve updated cloud endpoint information without manual intervention. This eliminates the need for coordinated reconfiguration between providers and consumers, allowing continuous operation without downtime

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cloud endpoints are manually configured, then multi-cloud access is achieved, but the complexity of managing configurations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-cloud supportVSAvoidconfiguration management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The metadata discovery API provides a universal interface that works across multiple cloud providers. A single standardized API call retrieves endpoints for any supported cloud service, eliminating the need for separate configuration mechanisms for each cloud provider and simplifying multi-cloud management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10637924B2Cloud metadata discovery API
Publication Date: 2020.04.28 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • US10637924B2 patent drawing
  • US10637924B2 patent drawing
  • US10637924B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments provide an API that provides metadata about a cloud service's endpoints in response to a single query. This allows a cloud service to advertise each of its endpoints through a common endpoint. The common endpoint may be present in each of a plurality of cloud services, thereby allowing each cloud service automatically discover metadata for other cloud services.