Cluster Association Joining via Preconfigured Credentials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in efficiently adding a new cluster to an association and managing data among clusters without user configuration, particularly in maintaining up-to-date and accurate information about network connections and cluster memberships.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allow a cluster to join an association using preconfigured association access credentials and a unique association manager address, enabling the generation of association access requests, authentication, and initiation of connections to other clusters, while maintaining and updating network metrics and cluster lists to ensure efficient data replication and network path optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a new cluster joins an association using manual configuration methods, then the cluster can be added to the association, but the process requires significant user input and configuration time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cluster joiningVSAvoidtime for configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring association access credentials and unique association manager addresses in clusters before they join the association. This allows clusters to automatically authenticate and join without requiring user configuration at join time, thus improving ease of operation while reducing configuration time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cluster joining process is made self-service through automatic authentication using pre-stored credentials. The first cluster independently generates association access requests using its own stored credentials without requiring manual user input, enabling seamless joining while minimizing time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If manual user configuration is used to manage cluster associations, then cluster memberships can be maintained, but the system requires continuous user intervention and configuration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of cluster managementVSAvoiduser intervention required

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service automation where clusters automatically manage their own association memberships using pre-configured credentials. The first cluster autonomously generates access requests, authenticates with the association manager, and maintains its membership without requiring continuous user intervention, thereby increasing automation extent while improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

By pre-configuring association access credentials and unique association manager addresses before clusters need to join or manage memberships, the system enables automatic cluster management operations. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for continuous user intervention while maintaining proper cluster associations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If clusters use preconfigured credentials to join associations automatically, then the joining process becomes seamless and fast, but security requirements become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of cluster joiningVSAvoidcomplexity of credential management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs credential configuration in advance during cluster setup or manufacturing, storing association access credentials and unique association manager addresses in the cluster before deployment. This preliminary action enables fast, seamless joining operations while concentrating the complexity in the initial setup phase rather than during operational joining

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The association manager serves as an intermediary that receives authenticated access requests from clusters using preconfigured credentials. This intermediary approach simplifies the joining process for clusters while centralizing security verification and credential validation logic in the association manager, managing the complexity centrally rather than distributing it across all clusters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11888836B2Methods and systems for automatically and securely joining an association

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

A method for joining an association that includes receiving, by a first cluster, an association access credential and a unique address of an association manager, generating, based on the association access credential, an association access request, sending, to the unique address, the association access request, receiving, in response to the sending, association information, and initiating, based on the association information, a connection to a second cluster in the association.