Generic Physical Location Codes for Virtual System Cloning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloning I/O device configurations in data center environments is challenging due to the need for manual intervention and is prone to human error, as it requires mapping physical hardware positions to internal location codes, which is not efficiently disseminated or understood by all system administrators.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine and sort physical location codes from source and target machines, generating generic location codes for configuration templates, allowing for automated mapping and error checking to ensure accurate cloning of systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual mapping processes are used to map physical hardware positions to internal location codes, then system administrators can configure systems, but the process is prone to human error and difficult to disseminate understanding across all administrators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated mapping system that acts as an intermediary between physical hardware positions and internal location codes. This system automatically generates and maintains the mapping relationships, eliminating the need for manual intervention by system administrators while ensuring accuracy through systematic processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of mapping physical positions to location codes with an automated computational system. The system uses algorithms to automatically determine and assign location codes based on physical hardware positions, substituting human manual work with automated mechanical/computational processes.
2Productivity
If automated mapping is implemented to reduce manual intervention, then cloning efficiency improves, but system complexity increases due to the need for automated mapping systems
Solution Approach 1:
The automated mapping system is designed to be universal, handling multiple types of hardware positions and location codes through a single unified approach. The system can map various physical positions (slots, bays, positions) to corresponding location codes using the same automated processes, reducing the need for multiple specialized mapping systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the mapping process from manual human-operated parameters to automated computational parameters. The system uses automated detection of physical positions and algorithmic assignment of location codes, transforming the mapping process from a human skill-based parameter to an automated system parameter that can be consistently applied.
3Ease of operation
If manual mapping processes are used, then system administrators have control over configuration, but the process is time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The automated mapping system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting physical hardware positions and assigning location codes before the cloning process begins. This preliminary automated mapping eliminates the time-consuming manual mapping step that would otherwise need to be performed by administrators for each cloning operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the automated mapping system to independently determine and assign location codes without requiring administrator intervention. The system automatically detects physical positions, generates appropriate location codes, and maintains the mappings, freeing administrators from this repetitive task.
Data Source
AI summary
A cloned configuration of a source machine is created by determining a first set of physical location codes for a source machine. A map is generated based on the sorted physical location codes that maps the first set of physical location codes to a first set of generic location codes. A second set of physical location codes associated with a second set of adapter slots in a target machine is generated. A second map is generated based on the sorted second set of physical location codes that maps the second set of physical location codes to a second set of generic location codes. A third set of physical location codes is generated based on the first set of generic location codes and the second map. If an entry in the third set of physical location codes is not present the second set of physical location codes, an error is generated.