Cluster Dependency Management via Automated Configuration Propagation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing and configuring interdependent clusters in a computing environment is difficult and cumbersome, especially as additional clusters are added, due to changing configuration attributes and the need for synchronized updates across dependent clusters.

Innovation Solution

A management system maintains a data structure that indicates relationships between clusters, identifies configuration modifications, and initiates deployment of these modifications across related clusters, ensuring consistent and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple clusters are added to the computing environment, then the functionality and processing capability are improved, but the complexity of managing and configuring interdependent clusters increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidmanagement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A management system acts as an intermediary between clusters, maintaining data structures that track interdependencies and automatically propagating configuration changes. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by centralizing management responsibilities, allowing multiple clusters to be added while the management system handles the complexity of coordinating changes across dependent clusters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system tracks configuration parameters and their interdependencies across clusters. When a configuration parameter changes in one cluster, the management system automatically identifies dependent clusters and propagates the necessary parameter changes, reducing management complexity while supporting cluster expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If configuration attributes of clusters are changed during the lifecycle, then the system adapts to new requirements, but the difficulty of managing and configuring interdependent clusters increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The management system maintains data structures that track interdependencies between clusters and automatically detects when configuration changes are needed in dependent clusters. This feedback mechanism ensures that configuration changes propagate correctly through the cluster network, maintaining consistency while simplifying the operator's task of managing configuration flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-establishes data structures that document interdependencies between clusters before configuration changes are made. This preliminary preparation allows the management system to automatically determine which clusters need configuration updates, reducing the operational difficulty of managing configuration changes across interdependent clusters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual management of cluster configurations is performed, then flexibility in customization is maintained, but the administrative complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration customizationVSAvoidadministrative time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The management system provides self-service automation for propagating configuration changes across clusters. When a configuration change is made to one cluster, the system automatically identifies dependent clusters and applies necessary configuration updates without requiring manual intervention for each cluster, significantly reducing administrative time while preserving configuration customization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the configuration management tasks for multiple interdependent clusters into a single automated process. By combining the identification, analysis, and propagation of configuration changes into one unified management operation, the system reduces the time required to manage cluster configurations while maintaining the ability to customize individual cluster settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11347562B2Management of dependencies between clusters in a computing environment

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

Described herein are systems, methods, and software to manage configurations between dependent clusters. In one implementation, a management system maintains a data structure that indicates relationships between clusters in a computing environment. The management system further identifies a configuration modification to a first cluster and identifies other clusters associated with the first cluster based on the data structure. Once the other clusters are identified, the management system may determine configuration modifications for the other clusters based on the data structure and initiate deployment of the configuration modifications.