Cloud Resource Configuration Parser for Infrastructure as Code
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cloud resource management systems face challenges in ensuring correct configuration and optimized performance due to complexity, lack of domain expertise, and limited support for data types, state-wise code segregation, and parameter validation in infrastructure as code (IaC) files.
Innovation Solution
A client-side framework is introduced to parse infrastructure configuration files, providing a graphical user interface for improved understandability, state-wise parameter validation, and segregation, allowing users to manage cloud resources without requiring domain expertise by extracting data and presenting it in an understandable format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If infrastructure as code files are used for cloud resource management, then automation and efficiency are improved, but code complexity and difficulty of understanding increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the infrastructure as code files and the users. This intermediary parses the IaC files, extracts data, and presents it in a simplified format through a user interface, thereby mediating the complexity while maintaining automation benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the infrastructure configuration into multiple states (e.g., provisioned, active, suspended, terminated) and presents them separately in the user interface. This segmentation makes the complex code structure more manageable and understandable by dividing it into distinct, manageable portions
2Ease of operation
If state-wise code segregation is implemented, then code manageability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the infrastructure code into multiple states (provisioned, active, suspended, terminated) and handles each state separately with specific validation rules and user interface sections. This segmentation improves manageability by allowing targeted operations on specific states without affecting the entire system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary parsing and categorization of infrastructure code into different states before user interaction. This preliminary action organizes the complex code structure in advance, making it easier for users to manage without requiring them to understand the underlying complexity
3Reliability
If parameter validation is enforced, then deployment reliability is improved, but user flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs validation checks in advance during the parsing and user interface generation phase. By validating parameters beforehand and providing clear feedback to users about required and optional parameters, the system ensures reliability while allowing users to understand and appropriately configure options
4Manufacturing precision
If domain expertise is required for cloud resource management, then configuration accuracy is improved, but ease of use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary that parses infrastructure as code files and presents the data in a simplified user interface format. This intermediary translates complex technical configurations into user-friendly representations, maintaining configuration accuracy while eliminating the need for users to possess deep domain expertise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy or representation of the infrastructure configuration data in the user interface. Instead of requiring users to work directly with complex IaC files, the system presents a simplified view that maintains accuracy while being easier to understand and manipulate
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes at least one memory; programmable circuitry; and instructions to cause the programmable circuitry to: identify configurable parameters in an infrastructure configuration file, the configurable parameters to define states of a cloud resource; map a first configurable parameter of the configurable parameters to a first state of the states based on first metadata parsed form the infrastructure configuration file, the first state displayed in a graphical user interface including a hierarchy of states, wherein selection of a second state of the plurality of states from the hierarchy displays a second configurable parameter associated with the second state; and prevent a misconfiguration of the cloud resource based on an application of a validation constraint to an input value for the second configurable parameter, the validation constraint generated based on second metadata parsed from the infrastructure configuration file.