Cloud Provisioning Orchestration via Dynamic Runlist Compilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tools are inadequate for automating the orchestration of complex virtualized systems, requiring manual configuration and customization due to their inflexibility and inability to handle dynamic changes in IT environments, leading to increased complexity and resource-intensive efforts.
Innovation Solution
A data-driven approach that packages low-level orchestration tasks into reusable modules, dynamically selecting, configuring, and compiling them into runlists based on context-dependent patterns, allowing for automated customization and self-adaptation during runtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If existing tools are used to automate provisioning, then simple single-user installations can be partially automated, but complex enterprise-grade virtualized systems cannot be automatically provisioned due to lack of flexibility and inability to handle dynamic changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic orchestration methods that can adapt to changes in the virtualized environment at runtime. The system uses runtime task selection and dynamic configuration generation to handle extrinsic factors that are not known until provisioning actually takes place, such as resource host names or dynamically allocated network addresses. This allows the automation tool to remain flexible and adaptable while maintaining high automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters dynamically based on the specific virtualized environment being provisioned. It selects from multiple possible combinations of runtime tasks, software components, and communication infrastructure elements based on the characteristics of the target environment. This parameter-based approach enables the same tool to handle diverse complex enterprise-grade systems while maintaining automation.
2Reliability
If manual configuration is used for complex virtualized systems, then expert knowledge can be applied to handle technical issues and constraints, but significant resources are required and unexpected costs, delays, and errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the system automatically selects appropriate runtime tasks, generates configurations, and provisions the virtualized environment without requiring manual expert intervention. The orchestration engine autonomously handles the complexity by selecting from predefined patterns and adapting to the specific environment, thereby maintaining high reliability while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating manual configuration efforts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the provisioning process and adjust configurations based on actual environmental conditions. This allows the automated system to learn from and adapt to the specific constraints and characteristics of the target environment, ensuring reliable provisioning while maintaining efficiency through automation rather than manual expert review.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple custom flows are created for different provisioning scenarios, then specific configuration requirements can be met, but the complexity of managing and tracking installation efforts increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal orchestration engine that can handle multiple provisioning scenarios through a single unified interface. Instead of requiring separate custom flows for different scenarios, the system uses a pattern-based approach where a single orchestration method can select from multiple runtime tasks and configuration patterns based on the specific requirements. This universality maintains configuration flexibility while dramatically reducing the complexity of managing and tracking installation efforts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the provisioning process into modular runtime tasks and configuration patterns that can be independently selected and combined. This segmentation allows the universal orchestration engine to handle diverse scenarios by assembling appropriate task combinations rather than requiring separate complete flows for each scenario, thereby reducing management complexity while maintaining adaptability.
4Ease of operation
If a single automated workflow is used, then ease of operation improves, but the ability to handle context-dependent variations and dynamic changes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic single workflow that maintains ease of operation while responding to context-dependent variations. The orchestration engine automatically selects appropriate runtime tasks and generates configurations based on the specific virtualized environment characteristics and extrinsic factors. This dynamic capability allows a single simplified workflow interface to adapt to diverse scenarios and changes, combining operational simplicity with environmental responsiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and associated systems for automated orchestration of complex server provisioning tasks. An orchestration-optimization system receives input that identifies a destination, platform, and pattern of tasks that together characterize a procedure for building a particular virtualized computer environment. The system selects a set of generic orchestration methods that identify in general terms each task required to build the environment. The system then embeds into the orchestration methods all currently known contextual data associated with the specified build procedure, converting the generic methods into a build-specific runlist of tasks. When the environment is ready to be built, additional environment-specific data that becomes known only at build time is inserted into placeholders previously embedded into the runlist tasks. The system then performs the sequence of runlist tasks in order to automatically build the virtualized system.