Configuration Synchronization Conflict Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for synchronizing configuration information across multiple computers are inadequate, as they often involve full replacement of configuration data, are resource-intensive, and lack detailed tracking of changes, leading to conflicts and inefficiencies in multi-user environments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a synchronization server to store and manage configuration changes across multiple client devices, employing conflict resolution rules and encryption to identify and resolve inconsistencies, while only sending updates since the last synchronization, ensuring that only the most recent changes are applied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full replacement of configuration data is used for synchronization, then configuration information can be transferred between computers, but system resources are consumed excessively and conflicts cannot be resolved properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary configuration changes since the last synchronization rather than transferring the entire configuration dataset. The synchronization mechanism identifies and transmits only modified configuration parameters, reducing the data volume transferred between computers while maintaining synchronization reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where each computer tracks its last synchronization state and sends status information back to the synchronization server. This enables the server to identify which configuration changes need to be transmitted, avoiding redundant data transfer and reducing system resource consumption.
2Reliability
If full replacement of configuration data is used, then synchronization can be achieved, but detailed tracking of changes is lost making conflict resolution difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary tracking of configuration changes locally at each computer before synchronization occurs. Change logs are maintained and timestamps are recorded, so that when synchronization is needed, the system already has the necessary change history information ready for accurate conflict resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization mechanism includes feedback loops that track and record which configuration parameters have changed since the last synchronization. This feedback information is sent along with the configuration data, preserving change history and enabling detailed conflict resolution between multiple computers.
3Stability of the object's composition
If configuration changes are synchronized immediately, then data consistency is maintained, but network bandwidth and processing resources are consumed continuously
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous synchronization, the system implements periodic or event-driven synchronization. Configuration changes are tracked locally and transmitted to the synchronization server at appropriate intervals or when specific events occur, maintaining data consistency while reducing network bandwidth and processing resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and transmits only the minimal necessary change information rather than synchronizing all configuration data continuously. By identifying and sending only the delta changes, the system maintains data consistency with reduced network and processing overhead.
4Quantity of substance
If all configuration information is transmitted during synchronization, then complete data transfer is achieved, but transmission time increases and conflicts arise from simultaneous changes
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization system extracts and transmits only the necessary changed configuration parameters since the last synchronization rather than transferring the entire configuration dataset. This reduces the quantity of data transmitted and consequently decreases synchronization time while maintaining complete data transfer for the changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of changed configuration parameters before synchronization occurs. By tracking changes locally and pre-determining what needs to be transmitted, the system avoids transmitting unnecessary data, reducing both data volume and synchronization time.
Data Source
AI summary
A user of multiple client devices (clients) makes application configuration changes on the clients from time to time. The configuration changes are stored in a local event log on each client, as well as in a synchronization server. When one of the clients connects to the synchronization server, for example when the user logs into the synchronization server while using a respective client, the configuration information in the server and client is synchronized. Conflicts, if any, in the configuration changes for a respective application are resolved in accordance with a conflict resolution procedure or conflict resolution rules associated with that application.