Automated Configuration Adaptation in Application Deployment Pipelines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual configuration of application deployment between environments is error-prone and inefficient, as each environment has unique policies and configuration data, leading to potential incorrect information promotion and security risks.

Innovation Solution

An automated method for managing application deployment pipelines that detects environment policies and application configuration data to reconfigure the data set, ensuring compliance with system policies and preventing private credential transfer, thereby enabling seamless application movement between environments without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual configuration is used to move applications between environments, then flexibility and control are maintained, but errors increase and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoiddeployment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting environment policies, identifying configuration data sets, and determining appropriate actions without human intervention. The deployment pipeline autonomously reconfigures data sets by implementing detected actions, eliminating manual configuration steps while maintaining accuracy and improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration processes with automated detection and processing systems. Instead of manually copying and adapting configuration data, the system uses automated policies to detect what actions are needed and implements them programmatically, substituting human operators with an automated control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If environment-specific configuration data is copied between environments, then deployment speed increases, but security risks and compliance issues increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidsecurity risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback mechanisms by detecting environment policies and using them to determine appropriate actions on configuration data sets. The policy detection creates a feedback loop that ensures configuration data is transformed according to the destination environment's requirements, preventing security violations while maintaining deployment speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming configuration data based on detected policies. Instead of copying data as-is, the system modifies parameters and properties of configuration data sets according to the destination environment's policy requirements, ensuring security and compliance while enabling rapid deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If configuration data is automatically copied between environments, then deployment efficiency improves, but configuration accuracy and policy compliance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment efficiencyVSAvoidconfiguration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary layer of policy detection and action determination between the source and destination environments. This intermediary processes configuration data through the lens of destination environment policies, ensuring accuracy and compliance while maintaining automated efficiency. The policy acts as a mediator that transforms data appropriately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If manual environment configuration is performed, then adaptability to unique environment requirements is maintained, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironment adaptabilityVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves universality by creating a general-purpose deployment pipeline that can handle multiple environments with different policies through a single automated process. The policy detection mechanism is universal and adapts to any environment's specific requirements without needing manual reconfiguration, maintaining adaptability while reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10917456B2Application management in an application deployment pipeline

Publication Date: 2021.02.09 RED HAT INC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides new methods and systems for managing applications in a deployment pipeline. For example, a policy of a first environment and a policy of a second environment are detected. A request to move an application from the first environment to the second environment is received. Configuration data of the first environment is incompatible with the second environment. A configuration data set associated with the application is detected and includes various pieces of configuration data. Based on the various policies and the configuration data set, actions to be implemented in the configuration data set are determined, including actions associated with each piece of configuration data. The actions are implemented on the pieces of configuration data to obtain a reconfigured configuration data set that includes different configuration data than that of the first environment. The application and the reconfigured configuration data set are moved to the second environment.