Configuration Synchronization via Event Logging and Conflict Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for synchronizing configuration information across multiple computers are inadequate, as they often require 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 uses a synchronization server to store and manage configuration changes across multiple client devices, resolving conflicts through conflict resolution procedures and rules, while encrypting sensitive information using user-specific keys and hashing for secure authentication and data protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If configuration information is stored locally on each computer, then access speed and availability are improved, but synchronization across multiple computers becomes difficult and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a synchronization server as an intermediary component that mediates between multiple client computers. The server receives configuration changes from clients, stores them centrally, and distributes updates to other clients, thereby simplifying the synchronization process without requiring direct peer-to-peer communication between computers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments configuration information into discrete change events that are logged separately on each client and stored on the server. This segmentation allows incremental synchronization of only the changed portions rather than transferring entire configuration datasets, reducing network bandwidth and processing requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If full replacement synchronization is used, then implementation simplicity is improved, but system resources are consumed and detailed change tracking is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential change information from the full configuration dataset and stores it as discrete change events on the server. During synchronization, only these extracted change events are transmitted and applied, rather than transferring complete configuration files, thereby reducing resource consumption while maintaining implementation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing full replacement synchronization, the system applies partial synchronization by transferring only the necessary change events since the last synchronization point. This partial action approach reduces network traffic and processing overhead while achieving the goal of configuration updates.
3Reliability
If detailed change tracking is implemented, then conflict resolution capability is improved, but system complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by logging all configuration changes as events with timestamps and change identifiers before synchronization occurs. This advance preparation of change event data enables reliable conflict detection and resolution during synchronization without requiring complex real-time conflict detection algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization process incorporates feedback mechanisms where clients report their last synchronization timestamps and change event lists to the server. The server uses this feedback information to calculate what changes need to be transferred and applies conflict resolution rules based on the timing and source of conflicting changes, enabling reliable resolution without excessive system complexity.
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.