GitOps DCS Orchestration With Versioned Rollback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing continuous changes in distributed control systems (DCS) without causing fail-states or overburdening users with multiple configuration tools, especially in cloud-native environments, is challenging due to the complexity of software and hardware updates and security vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a GitOps orchestration system that utilizes a versioning repository to manage and roll back configuration changes safely, incorporating security checks and integrating with DCS engineering tools to ensure safe and secure adaptation of DCS configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If continuous configuration changes are applied to DCS to adapt to new requirements and replace malfunctioning components, then system adaptability and responsiveness are improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to potential fail-states and production disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating and storing backup configurations in a versioning repository before applying changes to the DCS. This allows the system to adapt to new requirements while maintaining the ability to revert to previous stable states if changes cause fail-states, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by maintaining historical configuration versions and enabling automatic rollback mechanisms. This cushioning effect protects the DCS from reliability issues during configuration changes, allowing continuous adaptability while preventing permanent failure states.
2Reliability
If manual reversal of configuration changes is performed to restore system functionality, then system reliability can be restored, but loss of time increases due to careful manual reversal processes
Solution Approach 1:
Backup configurations are prepared in advance and stored in the versioning repository before changes are applied. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming manual reversal, as the system can automatically restore to previous versions instantly when failures occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of configuration states and stores them in a versioning repository. These copies enable rapid restoration without manual intervention, reducing recovery time while maintaining reliability by preserving accurate replicas of working configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple configuration tools are used to manage IT infrastructure changes, then configuration flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases and user burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple configuration management functions into a unified GitOps orchestration platform that integrates with the existing versioning repository. This consolidation maintains configuration flexibility while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate configuration tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The GitOps orchestration system performs multiple configuration management functions universally, handling hardware replacement, software updates, and security vulnerability patches through a single integrated interface. This multi-functionality reduces user burden while maintaining flexibility across different configuration scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for changing a configuration of a distributed control system (DCS) includes obtaining, at a system orchestrator associated with the DCS, wherein the DCS has a first configuration, first data indicative of a second configuration to be applied at the DCS; applying changes on the first configuration based on the second configuration as a first target configuration; determining, based on predetermined determination criteria, whether to reverse at least part of the applied changes; based on a result of the determining, obtaining second data indicative of a historic configuration of the DCS from a versioning repository in which data indicative of historic configurations of the DCS comprising at least the first configuration are stored; and reversing at least part of the applied changes based on using at least part of the obtained historic configuration as a second target configuration.