Container Registration Layer for Unique Multi-Instance Identity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to assign unique identities to multiple instances of container-based applications running on the same host system, especially when hardware identity information is unavailable or loosely coupled, complicating security and configuration management.
Innovation Solution
A registration module creates a multi-layered container image with an additional individualizing layer during deployment, ensuring each instance receives a unique identity by adding variable content, eliminating the need for parallel configuration transfers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional identity-establishing methods using hardware information are used, then instance identity can be established, but unique assignment becomes impossible when multiple instances run on the same host system
Solution Approach 1:
The container image is segmented into multiple layers, with the individualizing layer containing instance-specific identity information. This segmentation allows each container instance to have its own unique identity data while sharing the same base image, enabling unique identification across multiple instances on the same host.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying solely on hardware-based identity (single dimension), the invention adds a software-based identity dimension through the individualizing layer in the container image. This creates a new dimension for instance identification that is independent of hardware, allowing unique assignment across multiple instances on the same host.
2Reliability
If variable content is added to each container image, then unique instance identity is achieved, but image size and deployment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The individualizing layer is nested within the multi-layered container image structure, containing instance-specific variables within the broader container image. This nested structure allows variable content to be organized efficiently within the existing image hierarchy, managing complexity while maintaining instance distinguishability.
Solution Approach 2:
The individualizing layer with instance-specific variables is prepared and integrated into the container image during the image building stage, before deployment. This preliminary action ensures that each container instance has its unique identity pre-configured, eliminating the need for complex post-deployment configuration and simplifying the overall deployment process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If configuration files are customized individually for each container, then instance-specific configuration is achieved, but configuration management and updates become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The container image structure with the individualizing layer serves multiple functions: it provides instance-specific configuration through variables while maintaining a universal base image that can be centrally managed and updated. This multi-functionality allows a single image template to serve multiple instances with different configurations, simplifying configuration management.
Solution Approach 2:
Configuration variables are pre-defined in the individualizing layer during image creation, allowing instance-specific configurations to be prepared in advance. This preliminary configuration setup enables centralized management of configuration templates while allowing easy customization for each instance, making updates and maintenance much simpler compared to individual file customization.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The inventive method for providing a container-based application in container virtualization comprises receiving an image request, creating a multi-layered image, adding an individualizing layer, and instantiating the image on a host system for executing the application. The inventive provision of distinguishable instances is achieved through container registration, in which at least one layer of a container is created during an image request, so that a different variant of the image can be created and/or provided with each image request.