IT Infrastructure Job Framework with Action-Block Execution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Managing large and varied IT infrastructure in data centers is complex, leading to inefficient and insecure operation due to the difficulty in performing desired management tasks with existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
An application framework that enables the definition and execution of jobs comprising IT management actions through a user interface and components like an API server, action service, and worker computing devices, facilitating secure and efficient management of IT infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional manual management methods are used for IT infrastructure, then administrators have direct control over each device, but the complexity of managing large volumes of varied infrastructure increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a job execution system as an intermediary between administrators and IT infrastructure devices. This system includes job definition files, job execution servers, and device agents that automatically perform management tasks. The intermediary automates the execution of management jobs across multiple devices, reducing the complexity of manual administration while maintaining reliable control through structured job definitions and execution tracking.
2Reliability
If multiple software tools and communication channels are used to perform management tasks, then comprehensive control is achieved, but the ease of operation decreases due to the need to coordinate multiple tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple management tools and communication channels into a unified job execution framework. The system consolidates diverse management operations into standardized job definition files that can be executed across different device types through a common interface. This merging maintains comprehensive control capabilities while significantly improving ease of operation by eliminating the need to manually coordinate multiple separate tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The job execution system is designed with universal functionality to handle various IT infrastructure devices and management tasks through a single standardized mechanism. The system can execute different types of management jobs (firmware updates, configuration changes, etc.) on diverse devices (servers, storage, networking equipment) using the same job definition format and execution framework, thereby improving operational simplicity without sacrificing control comprehensiveness.
3Reliability
If administrators manually perform each management action, then precise control over each step is maintained, but productivity decreases due to the time-consuming nature of manual tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by requiring management tasks to be defined in advance through structured job definition files before execution. These job definitions specify all necessary actions, parameters, and sequences beforehand. The job execution system then automatically carries out the predefined tasks across multiple devices without requiring real-time manual intervention, thereby maintaining control precision through the structured definition process while dramatically improving productivity through automated execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the job execution framework autonomously performs management tasks based on predefined job definitions. Once a job is defined and submitted, the system automatically executes the tasks on target devices, monitors progress, and reports results without requiring continuous administrator involvement. This self-service capability maintains control precision through structured job definitions while significantly boosting productivity by eliminating manual execution time.
Data Source
AI summary
An application framework for managing information technology (“IT”) infrastructure includes components that enable jobs to be defined and executed that perform IT infrastructure management tasks. Jobs are defined utilizing a user interface (“UI”) that includes a first pane that provides functionality for receiving a selection of a target type of IT infrastructure for a job. Compatible action blocks are then displayed in a second pane of the UI. User input can be received associating action blocks with a third pane of the UI. When user input is received associating an action block with the third pane of the UI, a task identifier is displayed in the third pane of the UI. The UI can also receive a selection of target devices upon which the actions defined by a job are to be performed. The framework executes program code corresponding to action blocks in the job on the target devices.