Hierarchical Control Nodes for Automated Application Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Distributed computing systems face challenges in managing the allocation and deployment of computing resources across multiple business groups with varying computing requirements, making it difficult to efficiently organize and administer these systems within an enterprise environment.

Innovation Solution

A multi-level, hierarchical organizational model is introduced, with control nodes managing the allocation and deployment of computing functions and resources, including fabric management, domain creation, tier creation, and node allocation, using a method that autonomically determines the execution of software applications based on status data from application nodes, and employing an automation infrastructure to identify the necessary software resources and execute them efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual management methods are used for distributed computing systems, then system flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but system complexity and difficulty of administration increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of administrationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service through automated node self-registration, self-configuration, and self-management capabilities. Nodes automatically register with control nodes, declare their capabilities, and receive configuration instructions without manual intervention, thereby reducing administrative burden while managing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Control nodes serve as intermediaries between system administrators and computing nodes. The control nodes receive deployment instructions, translate them into node-specific configurations, and manage the distribution of software images and resources, simplifying the overall administration process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If automated deployment is implemented, then resource allocation efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoiddeployment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring software images with all necessary dependencies, configurations, and executable files before deployment. Control nodes prepare deployment packages in advance, and nodes pre-register their capabilities, enabling efficient automated deployment without increasing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The deployment process is segmented into distinct phases: node registration, capability declaration, software image selection, configuration generation, and execution. This segmentation allows each component to be managed independently, improving automation efficiency while maintaining system clarity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If hierarchical organizational model is used, then system scalability improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem scalabilityVSAvoidorganizational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a hierarchical dimension with multiple levels: control nodes at the management level and computing nodes at the execution level. This dimensional organization enables scalable deployment across enterprises while maintaining simple node-level operations through clear separation of concerns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple software applications are deployed collaboratively, then functionality and versatility improve, but resource consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware functionalityVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple software applications into integrated deployment packages that share common resources, libraries, and configurations. By bundling collaborating applications together with their dependencies, the system reduces redundant resource consumption while maintaining full functionality through coordinated execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8140624B2Automated deployment and configuration of applications in an autonomically controlled distributed computing system

Publication Date: 2012.03.20 COMP ASSOC THINK INC

AI summary

A distributed computing system conforms to a multi-level, hierarchical organizational model. One or more control nodes provide for the efficient and automated allocation and management of computing functions and resources within the distributed computing system in accordance with the organization model. A user interacts with the control nodes to logically define the hierarchical organization of distributed computing system. The control node includes an automation subsystem having one or more rule engines that provide autonomic control of the application nodes in accordance with a set of one or more rules. An application governor uses a set of software image objects to configure an application on an application node. Each of the application software image objects share a common interface and are therefore interchangeable.