Device Image Manager Automating Data Center Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual and time-consuming process of provisioning and reprovisioning computing devices in data centers, which requires engineers familiar with hardware and network requirements, limits the efficiency and scalability of data center operations.
Innovation Solution
A device image manager system that selects and configures preconfigured operating systems and software (device images) based on hardware qualification and configuration information, allowing for rapid configuration and reprovisioning of computing devices to meet changing functional needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual provisioning and reprovisioning of computing devices is performed by engineers, then configuration accuracy and reliability are improved, but time consumption and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by creating and using preconfigured device images that replicate successful operating system and software configurations. Instead of manually configuring each device, the system copies proven configurations from templates, ensuring reliability while dramatically reducing time consumption. The device image manager system stores validated configurations and automatically deploys them to new or reprovisioned devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by preconfiguring device images before they are needed in the data center. Operating systems and software are pre-installed, tested, and validated in advance, so that when devices are provisioned, they can be rapidly deployed using these pre-prepared images rather than performing configuration tasks at the time of deployment.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual provisioning processes are used, then configuration precision is maintained, but productivity and scalability of data center operations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses preconfigured device images as templates that contain precisely validated operating system and software configurations. By copying these pre-validated images to new devices, the system maintains configuration precision while enabling rapid provisioning at scale, as the copying process is much faster than manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The device image manager system changes the state of configuration from manual parameter entry to automated image deployment. The system manages parameters such as image selection criteria, deployment timing, and configuration validation, transforming the provisioning process from manual to automated while preserving configuration precision through validated image templates.
3Adaptability or versatility
If engineers manually configure computing devices, then adaptability to hardware requirements is improved, but device complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of device images against various hardware configurations before deployment. By testing and validating configurations in advance, the system ensures hardware compatibility is maintained while simplifying the actual provisioning process to automated image deployment, reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device image manager system acts as an intermediary between hardware requirements and configuration deployment. It manages the complexity by selecting appropriate prevalidated images based on hardware specifications, translating diverse hardware requirements into standardized image deployment processes, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for managing imaging of computing devices are provided. A device image manager enables selection of one or more device images on the basis of various computing device criteria. The device image manager may obtain hardware qualification information associated with one or more device images, and obtain device configuration information associated with a computing device. The device image manager may select a set of appropriate device images for the computing device based on the hardware qualification information, device configuration information, or various device image selection criteria.