Container Image Layer Comparison for Compatibility Verification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users often build custom container images that are not based on the correct base container image, leading to errors and increased customer support tickets, as existing solutions lack the ability to quickly provide feedback on the compatibility of custom container images with the specified operand version.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that compares the layers of a base container image corresponding to a current operand version with the layers of a custom container image built by a user, determining whether the correct base container image was used and providing immediate feedback to the user if an incorrect base image was utilized.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users build custom container images without verification, then development flexibility is improved, but image compatibility and system reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization flexibilityVSAvoidimage compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by comparing custom container image layers against the expected base image layers before deployment. This advance checking prevents compatibility issues from manifesting at runtime, maintaining both user flexibility and system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate feedback to users when a custom container image is built on an incorrect base image. By comparing image layers and returning compatibility verification results, users can correct their images before deployment, preserving development flexibility while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual verification of base container images is performed, then image compatibility is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage compatibilityVSAvoidverification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service verification where the container orchestration architecture automatically compares custom container image layers against expected base image layers without requiring manual intervention. This automation maintains high reliability while minimizing time loss and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of verifying base images is replaced with an automated digital comparison system. The computer-implemented method automatically retrieves, compares, and verifies image layers through software processes, dramatically reducing verification time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automated comparison of container image layers is implemented, then verification speed is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operator component performs multiple functions: it manages operands, retrieves base container images, compares image layers, and provides feedback. This multi-functionality consolidates complexity into a single existing component rather than adding separate verification systems, maintaining productivity while managing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The verification process creates a digital copy of the base container image layers for comparison against custom container image layers. This copying approach enables rapid automated verification without physically manipulating images, increasing productivity while keeping the system complexity manageable through software-based operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12242844B2Determining correct base images for custom images

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Determining correct base container images to support custom container images is provided. A comparison between layers of a base container image corresponding to a current version of an operand and layers of a custom container image built by a user is performed using an operator. It is determined whether the user utilized a correct base container image to build the custom container image based on the comparison between the layers of the base container image corresponding to the current version of the operand and the layers of the custom container image built by the user. A runtime is generated in a cluster of host nodes to provide a service based on the custom container image in response to determining that the user utilized the correct base container image to build the custom container image.