Docker Container Image Creation via Management Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Setting up and configuring distributed computing systems for data-intensive tasks like machine learning and AI is complex and time-consuming, especially for users who are not systems engineers, due to the need for manual configuration of multiple system parameters, network connections, and storage across many nodes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for efficiently creating and managing Docker container images in distributed computing systems, involving a management application that allows users to upload Dockerfiles and metadata, builds container images, and provides them to third-party compute systems through an application store, simplifying the process with user-friendly interfaces and automated workflows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration of system parameters, network connections, and storage is performed across multiple nodes, then the distributed computing system can be properly set up and configured, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces container images as an intermediary artifact that encapsulates all necessary application configurations, dependencies, and runtime environments. This intermediary allows applications to be packaged with their configuration requirements, eliminating the need for users to manually configure system parameters, network connections, and storage across multiple nodes. The container image serves as a self-contained unit that can be deployed consistently across different computing environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring all necessary system parameters, network connections, and storage settings within the container image before deployment. The container image is built in advance with all dependencies, environment variables, and configuration files already in place, so that when the application is deployed to the distributed computing system, no manual configuration is needed at runtime.
2Adaptability or versatility
If container images are built locally and then transferred to distributed computing systems, then application portability is improved, but network transfer time and potential failures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized registry as an intermediary storage system for container images. Instead of directly transferring images between build systems and compute nodes, the registry serves as a central repository where images are built once and then distributed to multiple compute nodes. This intermediary approach improves efficiency by allowing parallel downloads from a centralized location and enabling image caching and sharing across the distributed system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If container images are rebuilt on each compute node, then configuration consistency is ensured, but the time and computational resources required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements copying by distributing identical container image copies from a centralized registry to multiple compute nodes simultaneously. Instead of rebuilding images on each node, the system creates and stores a master container image, then copies this image to all required compute nodes. This ensures configuration consistency across all nodes while dramatically reducing the time and computational resources required, as the image building process occurs only once rather than repeatedly on each node.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing container images in a distributed computing system is presented. The method includes the following: uploading a user Dockerfile via a management application; uploading Dockerfile metadata via the management application; providing the Dockerfile to a Docker container image builder to create a Docker container image; receiving, at an application store, the Docker container image from the Docker container image builder; providing the Dockerfile metadata to the application store; presenting, from the application store, the Docker container image; and providing, based on a user selection, the Docker container image to one of a plurality of third-party compute systems.