Embedded System Tagging for Provisioning Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current provisioning systems lack a mechanism to accurately track and identify provisioned computer systems, leading to difficulties in monitoring usage and troubleshooting, as each use is counted as a new provision, and there is no way to distinguish between different versions or types of provisioning servers.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for tagging provisioned computer systems by embedding a unique identifier and other information within the system's characteristics, such as INODE differentials, directory entry order, or sector differentials, ensuring the tag is hidden and semi-immutable, and using audit software to extract and correlate this information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a provisioning server is used to install image files onto computer systems, then computer systems can be quickly added or replaced within a network, but there is no mechanism to accurately track and identify provisioned systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding a unique identifier tag into the computer system during the provisioning process itself, before the system is deployed. This ensures that tracking information is already in place when the system is first activated, eliminating the need for separate tracking mechanisms and enabling immediate identification and monitoring of provisioned systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary tag structure that mediates between the provisioning server and the provisioned system. This tag serves as a persistent identifier that bridges the connection between the provisioning event and the deployed system, enabling accurate tracking, identification, and correlation of provisioned systems throughout their lifecycle.
2Measurement precision
If each use of the provisioning server is counted as a new provision, then licensing royalties can be computed, but reprovisioning of failed systems is incorrectly counted as additional provisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by reading and analyzing the embedded tag during provisioning operations. The system uses the tag information to determine whether a system is being newly provisioned or reprovisioned, providing feedback that enables accurate distinction between these events. This feedback mechanism allows the licensing system to correctly count only new provisions while identifying reprovisioning events, thereby resolving the measurement accuracy issue.
3Ease of manufacture
If no identification mechanism is embedded in provisioned computers, then the provisioning process remains simple, but troubleshooting becomes difficult when newly provisioned computers do not operate correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by embedding specific identification and version information directly into the provisioned computer system at a localized level. The tag contains provisioning server identification, software version, and other contextual information that remains with the system. This localized information enables targeted troubleshooting without adding complexity to the overall provisioning process, as the information is embedded where needed rather than requiring external tracking systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus of uniquely tagging a computer system that is provisioned using a provisioning server. The unique tag is hidden within the computer system by exploiting select characteristics of the computer system to ensure that the tag is both hidden and semi-immutable. The tag may be embedded by manipulating such characteristics as the INODE differentials, the disk sector differentials, or the directory order. The tag may encode the unique identifier for the provisioned computer, as well as other information about the provisioning server, such as serial number, version number of the software, or any other information that is pertinent to identifying or monitoring the use of the software.