Unified Configuration Patching Module for Cloud Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale cloud infrastructure systems face challenges in efficiently and reliably applying software patches due to the complexity of managing diverse operating systems, applications, and configuration changes across multiple vendors and environments, leading to inefficiencies and increased system downtime.
Innovation Solution
A single configuration patching module (CPM) tool is introduced, which uses a unified workflow to automate application configuration patching, declaring actions through patch metadata, optimizing duplicate actions, and generating a deterministic execution plan, allowing for offline and online phases of patching with consistent reporting and inventory management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration patching is performed across multiple operating systems and applications, then flexibility to handle diverse environments is maintained, but time consumption and human effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal patching system that can handle multiple operating systems (Windows, Linux, Unix), multiple application types (web servers, database servers, middleware), and various patch formats through a single unified interface. The system automatically detects the target environment and applies appropriate patching strategies, eliminating the need for separate manual procedures for each platform while maintaining the ability to handle diverse configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service patching by automatically detecting the current software environment, identifying applicable patches, and applying them without requiring manual intervention. The automated patching engine scans the system configuration, matches patches against installed software versions, and executes the patching process autonomously, significantly reducing the time administrators would otherwise spend on manual patch management across heterogeneous environments.
2Reliability
If configuration changes are applied during patching, then complete software updates are achieved, but system downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by back-merging configuration changes into the codebase before applying patches. Configuration modifications that would normally require system downtime are prepared in advance and integrated into the software update package. This allows the patching process to include configuration updates without requiring the system to be taken offline, as all changes are applied atomically in a single deployment operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges binary patches and configuration changes into a single unified patching operation. Instead of separately applying code updates and configuration modifications (which would require multiple system shutdowns), the system combines both types of changes into one atomic deployment process. This integration ensures complete software updates while minimizing downtime, as the system remains operational throughout the unified patching process.
3Reliability
If multiple patches are applied to discrete products and components, then comprehensive bug fixes are achieved, but complexity of orchestration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides a universal patching platform that can manage patches across multiple discrete products and components through a single unified interface. The automated patching engine recognizes various product types (web servers, database servers, middleware) and applies appropriate patching strategies for each, while maintaining centralized control. This eliminates the need for administrators to manually orchestrate complex multi-product patching sequences, as the system automatically manages the entire process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that automatically monitor the state of multiple products and components during the patching process. The patching engine receives feedback from each patched component about successful application and system state, and uses this information to dynamically adjust the orchestration of subsequent patches. This automated feedback loop ensures comprehensive bug fixes across all products while simplifying coordination, as the system self-regulates based on real-time status information.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for application configuration patching. Certain techniques are disclosed herein that utilize a configuration patching module (CPM) tool using a single workflow to perform application configuration patching. The CPM can receive a set of one or more binary patches for one or more applications a set of one or more binary patches for one or more applications, and a set of one or more patch metadata declarations for the one or more applications which correspond to at least one of the binary patches. A set of one or more actions can be identified from the set of patch metadata declarations. The CPM can generate a configuration patching execution plan including a set of one or more steps to be performed to implement the set of actions, and execute the set of steps of the configuration patching execution plan.