HCI Component Expansion Engine with Validation Rules

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) systems, expanding or replacing components can lead to sub-optimal operation due to difficulties in correlating new components with existing ones, especially when identical replacement components are no longer available, causing challenges in maintaining optimal configuration and cost efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An Information Handling System (IHS) with a processing system and memory that includes instructions to provide a HCI component expansion/replacement engine, which periodically updates a solution database to identify validated components, retrieves existing component information, and provides validated software for new components to ensure optimal operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If HCI systems use a wide variety of configurable components to provide different resiliency levels and capacity, then system adaptability and versatility improve, but it becomes increasingly difficult to correlate HCI system needs with particular traditional physical information handling system infrastructure to maintain optimal configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHCI system configurabilityVSAvoidcomponent correlation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a validation rule engine as an intermediary between the diverse HCI components and the traditional physical infrastructure. This engine automatically applies validation rules to determine component compatibility, replacing the complex manual correlation process. The validation rules act as a mediator that translates infrastructure requirements into component selection criteria, simplifying the integration process while maintaining support for various resiliency levels and configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by dynamically adjusting validation rules based on the specific infrastructure being integrated. Rather than requiring manual configuration for each infrastructure type, the system modifies validation parameters automatically to match the target infrastructure's characteristics, enabling seamless adaptation to different physical information handling systems while maintaining optimal configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If validation rules are enforced to optimize HCI system components during initial ordering, then system performance and reliability improve, but it increases the difficulty of expanding or replacing components later when identical replacement components are no longer available

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHCI system optimizationVSAvoidcomponent expansion flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic validation rules that can adapt during the HCI system lifecycle. Initially, strict validation rules ensure optimal configuration and reliability. When expansion or replacement is needed, the system dynamically adjusts these rules to accommodate alternative components that may not have been available at ordering time. This dynamic approach maintains reliability through initial validation while enabling flexibility during expansion scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary validation during initial ordering to establish an optimized configuration. This preliminary action creates a baseline for reliability while the system retains the capability to modify validation rules later. The preliminary validation ensures proper initial setup, but does not permanently constrain future expansion options, as the validation framework is designed to evolve with the system's needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If manual processes are used to identify compatible components for expansion, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate due to the time-consuming nature of the process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent expansion processVSAvoidcomponent expansion speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service component expansion system where the validation rule engine automatically identifies compatible components without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by querying the validated component database, applying relevant validation rules, and presenting compatible options to users. This automation maintains ease of operation by providing user-friendly interfaces while dramatically improving productivity through automated component identification and compatibility verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of component compatibility checking with an automated electronic validation system. Instead of manually reviewing component specifications and compatibility matrices, the system uses electronic validation rules and database queries to automatically determine compatibility. This substitution of manual mechanics with automated electronic processes significantly accelerates the expansion process while maintaining operational simplicity through automated guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If the system enforces strict validation rules to ensure optimal configuration, then manufacturing precision and quality control improve, but ease of manufacture and component availability worsen when identical components are no longer available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidcomponent replacement difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation during the initial configuration phase to establish manufacturing precision and quality control. This preliminary enforcement of validation rules ensures optimal configuration accuracy from the start. However, the system is designed to relax or modify these rules during replacement scenarios, allowing alternative components to be validated against updated criteria. This two-phase approach maintains high configuration accuracy while enabling practical component replacement when originals are unavailable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The validation rules transition from static to dynamic behavior based on the operational context. During initial configuration, strict validation ensures manufacturing precision. During replacement operations, the system dynamically adjusts validation criteria to accommodate alternative components while maintaining quality standards. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to enforce precision when needed while facilitating ease of manufacture and component availability when original parts are no longer available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11271804B2Hyper-converged infrastructure component expansion/replacement system
Publication Date: 2022.03.08 DELL PROD LP
  • US11271804B2 patent drawing
  • US11271804B2 patent drawing
  • US11271804B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A networked system may include an HCI component expansion/replacement system that is coupled to an HCI system and that periodically updates an HCI system solution database to identify a validated components for an HCI system platform that includes the HCI system, and validated software for each of the validated components. When the HCI component expansion/replacement system receives a request for a new component type to be provided in the HCI system, existing component information about a plurality of existing components that are included in the HCI system is retrieved and used to identify a first validated component that is identified in the HCI system solution database for the HCI system platform that includes the HCI system. The HCI component expansion/replacement system then provides the first validated software that is identified in the HCI system solution database for the first validated component to the HCI system.