Edge Application Distribution Using Metadata-Based Node Matching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial control systems face challenges in securely and efficiently distributing applications to multiple nodes within complex industrial assets, such as manufacturing equipment and aircraft systems, due to the need for precise compatibility and compliance with various constraints like security, safety, and licensing policies.
Innovation Solution
An application module interacts with a cloud-based management solution and a content delivery network to determine the optimal distribution of application content to nodes within industrial assets, using metadata analysis to ensure compatibility and compliance with policies, thereby facilitating secure and efficient distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If applications are individually transmitted to each node in industrial assets, then distribution control is precise, but distribution complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the industrial asset into a hierarchical structure with master agents at higher levels and child agents at lower levels. This segmentation allows application content to be distributed in a structured manner through the hierarchy, maintaining precise control while reducing the complexity of managing each node individually. The hierarchical segmentation enables bulk operations on groups of nodes rather than individual node management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by requiring child agents to send capability metadata and application agents to send application metadata before actual content distribution. This preliminary exchange of information allows the system to pre-determine compatibility and authorization, so that when distribution occurs, it can proceed efficiently without complex real-time decision-making for each node.
2Quantity of substance
If application content is distributed to all nodes, then coverage is complete, but security and compatibility risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where child agents provide capability metadata about their nodes, and application agents provide application metadata including authorization information. This feedback loop enables the system to receive information about node capabilities and application requirements, then use this information to make intelligent distribution decisions that ensure both complete coverage and security/compatibility assurance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of distribution from a binary all-or-nothing approach to a selective approach based on metadata analysis. By analyzing capability metadata, application metadata, and authorization information, the system dynamically determines which nodes should receive application content, ensuring complete coverage of eligible nodes while excluding incompatible or unauthorized nodes.
3Measurement precision
If manual mapping of applications to platforms is required, then distribution accuracy is high, but developer workload and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically perform application-platform mapping through metadata exchange and analysis. Child agents automatically provide capability information, application agents automatically provide application requirements, and the system automatically matches them without developer intervention. This eliminates the tedious manual mapping process while maintaining high accuracy through systematic metadata-based compatibility assessment.
4Ease of repair
If updates are pushed to difficult-to-access systems, then system maintainability improves, but distribution reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by exchanging capability metadata and application metadata before pushing updates to difficult-to-access systems. This preliminary information exchange allows the system to verify compatibility and authorization in advance, ensuring that updates can be reliably distributed even to remote or hard-to-access nodes without compromising system integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses master agents as intermediaries between central management and child agents in difficult-to-access systems. These intermediary master agents facilitate reliable communication and coordinate update distribution, ensuring that even remote systems receive updates reliably while maintaining security and compatibility through the intermediary's coordination of metadata exchange and authorization verification.
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, system and methods are provided, comprising providing an application module; receiving a request from at least one master agent for application content at the application module, wherein the application content is for execution at one or more assets; executing the application module to determine the distribution of the application content to at least one node located in each of the one or more assets, wherein execution of the application module further comprises: determining an origin of the request and a requesting hierarchy associated with the request; exchanging metadata associated with the requesting hierarchy and metadata associated with the requested application content; determining whether to distribute the application content based on an analysis of the exchanged metadata; distributing the application content to the at least one node located in the asset based on the analysis; and generating an operating response of the asset based on the distributed application content. Numerous other aspects are provided.