Container Hot Plug Adapter for External Device Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In open-source container environments, connecting external devices to clusters is cumbersome due to the need for manual installation and version compatibility checks, which can lead to errors and increased administrative effort.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a catalog server and extension module within the cluster, enabling a protocol for seamless communication between the cluster and external devices, maintaining compatible versions and facilitating one-click installation and upgrades across the cluster and connected devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual installation and version compatibility checks are performed for external devices, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and administrative effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidadministrative complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through automated version compatibility checking and matching. The hot plug adapter automatically retrieves version information from the repository, checks compatibility between external devices and cluster components, and performs installations without requiring manual administrative intervention, thus maintaining reliability while reducing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The hot plug adapter acts as an intermediary component between external devices and the Kubernetes cluster. It manages the connection process, handles version compatibility checks, and coordinates installations, thereby simplifying the overall system while ensuring reliable connections through automated validation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual installation processes are used for external devices, then version compatibility can be verified, but installation time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversion compatibilityVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the hot plug adapter with repository access and version information retrieval capabilities. Before actual device installation, the system automatically checks version compatibility and prepares the environment, ensuring reliability while enabling rapid subsequent installations without manual verification steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical installation processes with automated software-based procedures. The hot plug adapter uses automated scripts and API calls to perform version checking and installation, substituting manual administrative actions with automated computational processes that are both reliable and rapid

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If version information is manually tracked, then compatibility accuracy is improved, but time consumption and administrative effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversion compatibility accuracyVSAvoidtime for version management
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hot plug adapter implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring version information from the repository and automatically updating compatibility status. This automated feedback loop ensures accurate version tracking without manual intervention, maintaining precision while eliminating time consumption associated with manual version management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The hot plug adapter serves as an intermediary that automatically retrieves and manages version information from the repository. It handles the time-consuming task of version tracking and compatibility verification, providing accurate version management information to administrators without requiring their time investment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If external devices are connected via sidecars, then cluster integration is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to manual configuration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecluster integration capabilityVSAvoiddevice connection simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hot plug adapter enables self-service by automatically configuring sidecar connections between external devices and the Kubernetes cluster. It retrieves necessary configuration information, establishes connections, and manages sidecar deployments without requiring manual administrative configuration, thereby maintaining cluster integration capability while dramatically improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11829780B2Open-source container cluster hot plug adapter
Publication Date: 2023.11.28 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US11829780B2 patent drawing
  • US11829780B2 patent drawing
  • US11829780B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system may include a cluster and a module of the cluster. The module may include a user resource definition and a catalog server. The catalog server may maintain a configuration of the cluster.