Configuration Consistency Validation Processor for Cloud Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing consistency across large numbers of configuration tables in modern cloud business software systems is challenging, particularly during updates or upgrades, as errors can occur if changes are not validated, leading to unintended functionality issues.
Innovation Solution
A business configuration framework with a configuration consistency validation processor that determines validation definitions and selectively validates configuration data before deployment, using delta analysis and dependency specifications to ensure consistency, thereby reducing the need to validate all configuration data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all configuration data is validated before deployment, then consistency and reliability are improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The validation process is segmented by dividing configuration data into multiple tables with dependency relationships. The system identifies and validates only those tables that are dependent on modified base tables, rather than validating all configuration data. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high consistency reliability while reducing overall validation time by processing only relevant segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial validation by selectively validating only the necessary subset of configuration data that is affected by changes. Using dependency specifications, the system identifies configuration tables that require validation and processes only those, rather than performing excessive validation on all configuration data. This approach maintains reliability for affected configurations while reducing unnecessary processing time.
2Reliability
If comprehensive validation of all configuration tables is performed, then consistency is ensured, but system complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining dependency specifications and validation rules before actual configuration changes occur. Validation definitions and table dependency relationships are established in advance, allowing the system to quickly identify which configurations need validation without complex real-time analysis. This preliminary preparation reduces system complexity during actual validation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer consisting of validation definitions and dependency specifications that mediate between configuration data and the validation process. These intermediaries store pre-defined relationships and rules, simplifying the validation logic by replacing complex direct validation of all tables with a structured intermediary-based approach that automatically identifies relevant configurations.
3Productivity
If selective validation based on dependencies is implemented, then processing efficiency is improved, but risk of missing validation errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by using validation definitions that capture dependency relationships between configuration tables. When a base table is modified, the system traces dependencies through the validation definitions to identify all affected tables, ensuring comprehensive validation coverage. This feedback-based dependency tracing maintains validation completeness while improving efficiency by focusing only on relevant configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Validation definitions and dependency specifications are prepared in advance as preliminary actions, creating a complete map of configuration relationships before validation is needed. This preliminary structuring ensures that when selective validation occurs, the system has pre-established knowledge of all dependency paths, preventing any validation errors from being missed while maintaining high processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Configuration data characterizing configuration information of at least one application process executing on a target system is received. The configuration data includes at least one first table and at least one second table upon which the first table depends. The receiving is performed prior to transmission of the configuration data to the target system for application of the configuration data to the target system. At least one validation definition including a header and table elements specifying a dependency of the first table on the second table is determined using the configuration data. Whether to validate the configuration data to ensure consistency within the target system is determined using the at least one validation definition. The determining whether to validate includes determining to validate the configuration data in response to determining that the second table has been modified. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.