IaC Quality Assurance Modules for Reliable Infrastructure Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infrastructure as code (IaC) implementations require periodic updating but are prone to human error, leading to issues in application development and operation, necessitating a quality assurance framework for automated checks.
Innovation Solution
A quality assurance framework that includes automated modules for naming and documentation checks, coding standards, test cases, and security checks, triggered by pull requests, ensuring each module is passed before deployment, with optional manual review and automatic implementation of approved changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual infrastructure management is used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but human error increases and consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical infrastructure management operations with automated code-based systems. Infrastructure configurations are defined through code files that can be version-controlled, reviewed, and deployed automatically, eliminating manual configuration errors while maintaining flexibility through code modifiability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated infrastructure provisioning and management. The infrastructure automatically manages its own configuration, deployment, and updates through code execution, reducing reliance on manual human operations while improving consistency through repeatable automated processes.
2Productivity
If IaC updates are implemented without quality assurance checks, then deployment speed increases, but error rates increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary quality assurance checks through automated testing frameworks that validate IaC code before deployment. Syntax validation, semantic analysis, and compliance checking are performed in advance on pull requests, ensuring errors are caught before they reach production, thus maintaining both speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous feedback loops where automated tests provide immediate feedback on IaC code quality. Pull requests trigger automated validation that returns results to developers, allowing rapid iteration and correction while maintaining deployment momentum through automated rather than manual review processes.
3Reliability
If comprehensive quality assurance modules are implemented, then reliability and security improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the quality assurance framework into distinct, modular validation modules that can be independently configured and executed. Each module handles specific aspects such as syntax validation, security checking, or compliance verification, allowing the system to provide comprehensive checks while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
4Productivity
If automated deployment is implemented without manual review, then deployment efficiency increases, but risk of undetected errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic approval workflow that adapts to the specific context of each deployment. Based on the results of automated quality checks and the criticality of the change, the system automatically adjusts the required approval level - routine changes may proceed with automated approval while significant changes require manual review, optimizing both efficiency and risk management.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing an automated quality assurance framework for infrastructure as code (“IaC”) implementations are provided. Pull requests with proposed change to existing IaC source code (“changed code”) are received from user devices, each associated with either a service enablement team member or an applications development team member. Team specific versions of the quality assurance framework are automatically triggered for the changed code which require successful passage through multiple modules, such as in a successive manner, before automatically being merged into the existing IaC source code.