Feature Negotiation Framework for Cloud Data Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cloud computing systems face compatibility issues when new features are added to data sources but not to cloud services, leading to errors or crashes, as they do not properly handle unsupported features, and there is a need for a mechanism to ensure compatibility between data sources and cloud services with different software releases.

Innovation Solution

A framework for client discovery of server features is introduced, where clients send requests with desired features, and servers respond with feature indicators, allowing clients to determine if data was processed correctly and enabling feature negotiation to ensure compatibility, using a feature bitstream structure that can be dynamically parsed and updated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If new features are added to data sources, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but compatibility with cloud services deteriorates, leading to errors or crashes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeature supportVSAvoidcompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The server sends feature indicators in advance before processing data requests, allowing the cloud service to pre-determine compatibility and adjust its behavior accordingly. This preliminary disclosure of feature support status prevents crashes by enabling proactive compatibility handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where servers provide feature indicators about their supported features, and cloud services use this information to adjust their requests. This continuous feedback loop ensures compatibility between data sources with different feature sets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If cloud services implement comprehensive feature support, then functionality is improved, but system complexity increases due to handling multiple feature versions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeature supportVSAvoidcompatibility handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Feature indicators act as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between data sources with different feature sets and cloud services. Instead of cloud services directly handling multiple feature versions, the feature indicators provide a standardized interface that simplifies compatibility management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If feature negotiation mechanism is implemented, then compatibility is improved, but communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidcommunication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The feature indicator mechanism serves multiple functions: it announces server capabilities, enables compatibility determination, and guides request formulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate negotiation protocols, minimizing communication overhead while ensuring compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9215150B2Feature set negotiation framework

Publication Date: 2015.12.15 SAP SE

AI summary

Disclosed in some examples are systems, methods, and machine readable mediums which provide a framework for client discovery of server features. In some examples, the client (e.g., the cloud service) may send a service request that requests data from the server (e.g., data source) processed according to one or more desired features from the server. The response from the data source may include feature indicators, which may indicate whether various features are supported at the data source.