Cloud Resource Provisioning via Blueprint Chaining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cloud resource provisioning methods using single blueprints for applications lead to duplicative resource definitions, variations in configuration, and inefficiencies due to periodic maintenance and updating, which can result in suboptimal resource utilization and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a blueprint chain that connects multiple related blueprints in a specific order for provisioning, allowing for parallel and serial execution of provisioning steps, and utilizing different cloud providers for various resources to optimize configuration and reduce duplication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single blueprint is used for cloud resource provisioning, then the provisioning process is simple to implement, but it leads to duplicative resource definitions, configuration variations, and increased complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of blueprint creationVSAvoidcomplexity of resource definitions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a single monolithic blueprint into multiple modular blueprints, each representing a specific resource or service component. These modular blueprints can be independently created, maintained, and reused, eliminating duplicative definitions while reducing overall complexity through organized segmentation of provisioning logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal blueprint templates that can be reused across multiple provisioning scenarios. These templates define standard resource configurations once and can be instantiated multiple times with different parameters, eliminating duplicative resource definitions and configuration variations while maintaining consistency across deployments.

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

2Productivity

If multiple blueprints are chained together for resource provisioning, then resource utilization is optimized and duplication is reduced, but the provisioning process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of resource provisioningVSAvoidcomplexity of provisioning process
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nested blueprints where complex provisioning scenarios are built by combining simpler blueprints in a hierarchical structure. Each blueprint can contain or reference other blueprints, allowing complex resource configurations to be constructed from modular components while maintaining manageability through the nested organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary orchestration layer that manages the chaining of multiple blueprints. This intermediary automatically handles the coordination, dependency resolution, and execution sequencing of chained blueprints, reducing the perceived complexity for users while enabling optimized resource utilization through coordinated multi-blueprint provisioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If blueprints require periodic maintenance and updating, then resource configurations remain current, but time and effort are consumed for blueprint creation and updates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of resource configurationVSAvoidtime for blueprint maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining standardized resource configurations, patterns, and best practices within blueprint templates. These pre-configured templates capture proven configurations that can be reused across multiple provisioning events, reducing the time and effort required for blueprint creation and updates while maintaining reliability through proven configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables copying and reuse of blueprint templates across multiple provisioning scenarios. Once a reliable blueprint configuration is created or validated, it can be copied and instantiated multiple times with minimal modification, significantly reducing the time and effort required for blueprint maintenance while ensuring consistency and reliability across deployments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10826993B2Cloud resource provisioning using blueprint chaining
Publication Date: 2020.11.03 SERVICENOW INC
  • US10826993B2 patent drawing
  • US10826993B2 patent drawing
  • US10826993B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method including organizing blueprints into a blueprint chain, the blueprint chain connecting the blueprints in an order, wherein a blueprint in the blueprint chain includes resources connected to form a schematic of a portion of an application, wherein a first resource of the blueprint is associated with a first provider and a second resource of the blueprint is associated with a second provider, identifying at least one cloud account suitable for provisioning the blueprint chain, wherein the at least one cloud account includes the first provider and the second provider, and generating an orchestration to provision an instance of the application, the orchestration including a plurality of provisioning steps based on the blueprint chain and a selected one of the at least one cloud account, wherein an ordering of the plurality of provisioning steps depends on the order of the blueprints in the blueprint chain.