Hybrid Configuration Engine Automates Cloud On-Premise Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of cloud-based solutions with existing on-premise solutions poses challenges due to lack of interoperability, requiring administrators to manually configure both systems, which is complex and often beyond the expertise of many organizations, especially when separate teams develop interoperability features independently.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid configuration engine analyzes the current state of both systems and applies necessary configuration changes to achieve a desired end state, automating the process and providing instructions for manual intervention when needed, thus simplifying the integration of on-premise and cloud-based systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration is performed by administrators to integrate cloud-based and on-premise solutions, then interoperability can be achieved, but the complexity and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service configuration by allowing the cloud-based solution to automatically discover and configure interoperability settings with on-premise solutions. The configuration engine autonomously analyzes connectivity requirements, generates appropriate configuration objects, and applies settings without requiring manual administrator intervention for each connection detail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining configuration templates and connection protocols that are applied automatically during integration. The configuration engine prepares and applies necessary settings in advance, eliminating the need for administrators to manually configure each connection parameter during the integration process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate component teams independently develop interoperability features, then feature functionality is achieved, but configuration experience becomes fragmented and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the configuration experiences of multiple separate component teams into a unified configuration engine. This engine consolidates interoperability configuration tasks into a single, coherent process that manages connections across different components (e.g., email, calendar, contacts) through a centralized approach rather than scattered team-specific configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration engine provides universal functionality by handling all types of interoperability configurations between cloud-based and on-premise solutions through a single system. It serves multiple purposes including connection establishment, authentication configuration, data synchronization setup, and error handling, eliminating the need for separate configuration processes for each feature.
3Productivity
If cloud-based solutions are deployed without extensive manual configuration, then deployment speed increases, but interoperability with existing on-premise solutions may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration engine enables rapid self-service deployment by automatically analyzing on-premise environment characteristics and generating appropriate configuration objects without requiring extensive manual input. The system self-configures connection parameters, authentication methods, and data synchronization settings based on detected environment conditions, achieving both speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the configuration engine continuously monitors the state of on-premise solutions and adjusts configuration parameters accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that automated configuration maintains interoperability reliability by adapting to actual environment conditions rather than relying on static pre-configured settings.
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid configuration engine and associated method for reducing the complexity and burden of configuring rich coexistence between an on-premise solution and a cloud-based solution is described herein and illustrated in the accompanying figures. The hybrid configuration engine determines the current state of the on-premise solution and the cloud-based solution and learns the desired configuration state. After obtaining the current and desired configuration state information, the hybrid configuration engine determines and automatically performs steps to reach the desired configuration state. Finally, the hybrid configuration engine provides instructions describing the manual steps needed to reach the desired configuration state.