Automated Container OS Identification via Setting Change Packets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for changing kernel settings in container-based virtualization environments are time-consuming and labor-intensive, as they require manual identification of the operating system hosting the target container, leading to increased operational costs and workload.

Innovation Solution

A setting change method that involves receiving a setting change request packet, acquiring identification information of the communication module, and referencing a storage unit to determine the operating system hosting the container, thereby automating the identification process and reducing the time and labor required for kernel setting changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual identification method is used to determine the OS hosting the target container, then the identification process can be completed, but the time and labor required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidtime and labor for determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by having the container itself provide identification information through the setting change request packet. The container includes its own identification information (such as container ID or communication module ID) in the request packet, allowing the management device to automatically determine the host OS without manual intervention or complex lookup processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The identification information is prepared in advance within the container and included in the setting change request packet before the actual setting change operation. This preliminary inclusion of identification data eliminates the need for time-consuming manual identification steps during the execution phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If manual identification method is used to determine the OS hosting the target container, then the identification process can be completed, but the operational workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidoperational workload
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container automatically provides its identification information through the setting change request packet, eliminating the need for operators to manually track or query which OS hosts which container. The system serves itself by embedding the necessary identification data in the request flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of identifying container-OS relationships is replaced by an automated information exchange mechanism. The identification information is transmitted electronically within the setting change request packet, substituting manual lookup operations with automated data processing.

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

3Productivity

If automated identification method is implemented using setting change request packets, then the time and labor required are reduced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The setting change request packet serves multiple functions: it conveys the setting change instruction, includes the container identification information, and triggers the automated determination process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate identification mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The setting change request packet acts as an intermediary that carries identification information from the container to the management device. This intermediary approach simplifies the system architecture by using an existing communication mechanism rather than introducing a completely new identification system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3851988B1Setting change method and setting change program
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 FUJITSU LTD
  • EP3851988B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3851988B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3851988B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A setting change method that causes a computer to execute processing includes: receiving a setting change request packet for a kernel from software operating over a container executed in one of OSs; acquiring identification information of one of communication modules that has received the setting change request packet, from the received setting change request packet; and referring to a storage unit that stores information indicating correspondence relationships between identification information of the OSs and the identification information of the communication modules in the OSs and determining the OS in which the container is operating based on the acquired identification information of the communication module.