IT Asset Configuration via Affinity-Based Platform Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of IT systems hinders effective management, increases operational costs, and reduces service quality due to longer troubleshooting times and difficulty in adopting new technologies, leading to performance degradation over time.
Innovation Solution
The method involves grouping IT assets by affinity criteria and mapping them onto target platforms based on complexity levels, simplifying the configuration of IT systems by aggregating high-affinity assets on lower-complexity platforms, thereby reducing overall system complexity and improving management efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If IT systems are expanded to provide more services and resources, then the functionality and capacity of the system improve, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IT system into multiple hierarchical levels (infrastructure layer, platform layer, application layer) and groups IT assets into asset groups with common characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to provide diverse services while managing complexity through structured organization and abstraction at each level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces configuration managers and affinity criteria as intermediary elements that mediate between IT assets and target platforms. These intermediaries automate the mapping and configuration processes, reducing the complexity of managing large numbers of IT assets while maintaining system functionality.
2Productivity
If the number of IT assets is increased to enhance system capacity, then the service capability improves, but the difficulty of management and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms through automated configuration managers that automatically map IT assets to target platforms based on affinity criteria. The system autonomously performs configuration tasks without requiring manual intervention for each asset, thereby enhancing service capability while reducing management difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of asset management from individual asset-level configuration to asset group-level configuration. By defining affinity criteria that group assets with similar characteristics, the system manages larger numbers of IT assets more efficiently through parameter aggregation and standardized configuration processes.
3Reliability
If IT systems are made more comprehensive to improve service quality, then the reliability and performance improve, but the time required for troubleshooting and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into hierarchical layers and asset groups, enabling localized troubleshooting within specific layers or groups rather than system-wide analysis. This segmentation reduces troubleshooting time by isolating issues to specific segments while maintaining comprehensive service quality through the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through configuration managers that continuously monitor and manage IT asset configurations. This automated feedback system quickly identifies and responds to issues, reducing troubleshooting time while maintaining high service quality through continuous system optimization.
4Productivity
If new technologies are adopted to improve system performance, then the functionality and efficiency improve, but the risk of unpredictable side effects and compatibility issues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing affinity criteria and configuration rules before deploying new IT assets or technologies. The configuration managers pre-validate configurations against defined criteria, identifying potential compatibility issues before they manifest as system failures, thus improving performance while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces configuration managers as intermediaries that mediate between new technologies and existing system components. These intermediaries validate and manage the integration of new technologies against affinity criteria, reducing unpredictable side effects while enabling performance improvements through controlled adoption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for configuring an Information Technology (IT) system in a manner that decreases a complexity of the IT system. At least part of IT assets of the IT system is mapped onto respective one or more target platforms of a plurality of target platforms by verifying characteristics and/or relations of the IT assets, in decreasing order of the affinity level of corresponding affinity criteria of a plurality of affinity criteria, against one or more hosting constraints of the target platforms, in increasing order of a complexity level of the corresponding target platforms. The IT system is configured, including hosting each mapped IT asset on the respective one or more target platform, which aggregates IT assets that have a higher affinity level on target platforms that have a lower complexity level so as to decrease the complexity of the IT system.