Just-in-Time Container Builds for Lightweight Runtime Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container technologies produce heavyweight images that include unnecessary components, leading to inefficiencies and security vulnerabilities, and require specialized skill to configure and deploy lightweight execution environments, which are not optimized for software development platforms.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a container builder to automatically configure a bootstrap execution environment based on software application dependencies, enhancing it with dynamic content to create a lightweight execution environment without requiring developer-provided configuration instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If container builders include build-time tools and compilers in deployed containers, then the containers can be self-sufficient for building and debugging, but the container size increases and security vulnerabilities are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the container lifecycle into distinct phases: build-time (where full toolchains are available) and run-time (where only the compiled application executes). The build environment is separated from the deployment environment, allowing compilers and build tools to be present only during development and testing, then excluded from the final deployed container image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts unnecessary build-time components (compilers, debuggers, SDKs) from the final deployed container. The build process produces a standalone executable that can run without the original build tools, allowing these heavy components to be removed from the deployment image while preserving application functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If container builders include build-time tools and compilers in deployed containers, then the containers can be self-sufficient for building and debugging, but security vulnerabilities are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts unnecessary build-time components (compilers, debuggers, SDKs) from the final deployed container. The build process produces a standalone executable that can run without the original build tools, allowing these heavy components to be removed from the deployment image while preserving application functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively removing potential security vulnerabilities (build tools and compilers) before deployment. The build environment is configured to produce self-contained executables that don't require the presence of build tools at run-time, thereby preventing security risks before they can affect the deployed system.
3Weight of moving object
If lightweight execution environments include only necessary components, then the container size is reduced, but configuration burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling developers to define their own lightweight execution environments through configuration files that specify only the necessary components and dependencies for their applications. The system automatically handles the configuration and assembly of these environments without requiring manual intervention or deep expertise in containerization technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal configuration mechanism that works across different application types and languages. A standardized configuration file format and build process can handle diverse applications (web apps, microservices, batch jobs) with the same lightweight environment approach, eliminating the need for application-specific configuration complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If developers configure lightweight execution environments manually, then customization is possible, but time and expertise requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining execution environment templates and configurations that can be reused across multiple deployments. Common patterns and dependencies are prepared in advance, allowing developers to quickly instantiate customized environments without manual configuration for each deployment scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling developers to define their own lightweight execution environments through configuration files that specify only the necessary components and dependencies for their applications. The system automatically handles the configuration and assembly of these environments without requiring manual intervention or deep expertise in containerization technologies.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for configuring and deploying execution environments for software applications includes receiving a bootstrap execution environment (310) from a data store (150), the bootstrap execution environment including a software application (200), the software application including a manifest of dependencies (212). The method includes executing the bootstrap execution environment and determining whether an enhanced execution environment (320) is available from the data store. When the enhanced execution environment is available from the data store, the method includes receiving the enhanced execution environment from the data store and enhancing the bootstrap execution environment based on the received enhanced execution environment. When the enhanced execution environment is not available from the data, the method includes enhancing the bootstrap execution environment based on the manifest of dependencies to create the enhanced execution environment and storing the enhanced execution environment in the data store. The method also includes executing the software application.