Hyper-Converged Node Auto-Reconfiguration

Solution Overview

Problem

Computing devices may experience hardware failures, leading to reduced functionality or inability to provide expected services, and require manual fixing or reconfiguration, which is inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A virtual computing environment with pre-configured hyper-converged computing devices that can automatically detect and reconfigure themselves to maintain virtualization infrastructure functionality, using auto-discovery and self-healing mechanisms to ensure continuous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual fixing and reconfiguration is performed after hardware failure, then the computing device can be restored to operational status, but the downtime and operational disruption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware failure recoveryVSAvoiddowntime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The computing device automatically detects hardware failures and performs self-reconfiguration without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously identifies failed components, selects replacement hardware, updates configuration settings, and restores services, thereby eliminating downtime associated with manual repair processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures replacement hardware and prepares reconfiguration scripts before actual failures occur. When hardware failure is detected, the pre-prepared replacement components and configuration plans are immediately deployed, minimizing the time required for recovery operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual reconfiguration is performed after hardware failure, then the computing device can be restored, but the complexity of operations and required expertise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware failure recoveryVSAvoidmanual intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The computing device automatically detects hardware failures and performs self-reconfiguration without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously identifies failed components, selects replacement hardware, updates configuration settings, and restores services, thereby eliminating downtime associated with manual repair processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors hardware status and provides real-time feedback on failure detection and recovery progress. This automated feedback loop ensures that reconfiguration operations are performed correctly and allows for immediate adjustment if issues arise, eliminating the need for manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the computing device is pre-configured for optimal performance, then the virtualization infrastructure functions efficiently, but the ability to adapt to hardware failures and reconfigure automatically is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtualization infrastructure efficiencyVSAvoidhardware failure adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The computing device transitions from a static pre-configured state to a dynamic system that can automatically adapt to hardware failures. The reconfiguration capability allows the system to modify its configuration based on real-time hardware status, maintaining optimal performance while gaining the flexibility to respond to failures autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures replacement hardware and prepares reconfiguration scripts before actual failures occur. When hardware failure is detected, the pre-prepared replacement components and configuration plans are immediately deployed, minimizing the time required for recovery operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10402217B2Automatic reconfiguration of a pre-configured hyper-converged computing device

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 VMWARE INC

AI summary

In a computer-implemented method for automatic reconfiguration of a computing device for supporting a virtualization infrastructure, wherein the computing device comprises independent server nodes, upon initialization of the computing device, functioning independent server nodes of the independent server nodes self-register with one another, wherein one of the independent server nodes is a default primary independent server node comprising virtualization infrastructure management software. In response to the default primary independent server node not self-registering with the functioning independent server nodes, one of the functioning independent server nodes is automatically reconfigured as a new primary independent server node.