Deployment Approval Virtual Appliance for Cloud Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud computing platforms require complex manual management and significant expertise to utilize effectively, as existing methods demand detailed understanding of hardware and software configurations, making it difficult for users to efficiently provision and manage virtual machine resources.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Deployment Approval Virtual Appliance and a cloud management system that automates provisioning of virtual machines, links tasks to desired systems, and reclaims unused resources, utilizing a combination of tools like vRealize Orchestrator and vRealize Automation to streamline resource management and deployment processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual management methods are used for cloud computing platforms, then detailed control over hardware and software configurations is achieved, but the complexity of management and expertise required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approval system that mediates between deployment requests and resource provisioning. This intermediary layer (approval virtual appliance) automatically manages complex configuration approvals, reducing the burden on users while maintaining control. The intermediary handles the complexity of hardware/software configuration approvals without requiring users to directly manage these complexities.
2Ease of operation
If automated provisioning is implemented, then the ease of operation and productivity improve, but the need for approval mechanisms and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring approval rules and policies before deployment requests are made. The approval virtual appliance is pre-established with defined approval workflows, so when automated provisioning is requested, the system can quickly evaluate requests against pre-defined criteria without ad-hoc complexity. This preliminary setup enables easy operation while containing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the approval system continuously monitors deployment requests and provides automated responses based on pre-defined policies. This feedback loop enables automated provisioning to proceed smoothly with built-in control, reducing the perceived complexity for users while maintaining necessary approval processes.
3Reliability
If external approval systems are integrated, then the reliability and security of deployment provisioning improve, but the time required for deployment and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The approval system performs preliminary evaluations of deployment requests against pre-configured policies before full provisioning begins. By pre-establishing approval criteria and performing initial validation, the system ensures reliable deployment approval without requiring lengthy manual review processes, thus reducing overall deployment time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service approval capabilities where the system automatically evaluates and approves deployment requests that meet pre-defined criteria without requiring external human intervention. This self-service approach maintains reliability through policy-based control while significantly reducing the time loss associated with manual approval processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to customize deployment using approvals are disclosed. An example deployment approval manager can generate a first Approval Payload including an initial application component approval proposal of an application component that provides a logical template of an application. A deployment event broker can reply-back to the deployment approval manager with a second approval payload that includes a processed application component approval proposal.