Job Protection Module Locking Computing Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern computing systems face issues where system administrators may inadvertently change configurations of computing devices during critical jobs, impacting their performance.

Innovation Solution

A job protection module identifies critical jobs and locks the associated computing devices from configuration changes during execution, ensuring stability by communicating with system management tools to set flags and prevent changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If system administrators are allowed to change configurations on computing devices, then system adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but job reliability and execution stability deteriorate due to inadvertent changes during critical jobs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidjob execution stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of critical jobs and pre-locking of computing devices before configuration changes can occur. The job protection module identifies critical jobs and locks associated computing devices from configuration changes during execution, preventing inadvertent modifications before they can impact job stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration locking mechanism is dynamic rather than static. Computing devices are locked from configuration changes only during the execution of critical jobs, while allowing normal configuration changes when no critical jobs are running. This dynamic approach balances adaptability during non-critical periods with stability during critical execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If computing devices are locked from configuration changes during critical jobs, then job reliability is improved, but system adaptability and ease of operation worsen due to restricted access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejob execution stabilityVSAvoidconfiguration management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism applies different access restrictions to different computing devices based on their current job status. Only computing devices actively servicing critical jobs are locked from configuration changes, while other devices remain fully accessible. This localized application of restrictions minimizes impact on overall system operability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The job protection module acts as an intermediary between system administrators and computing devices during critical job execution. It receives configuration change requests, evaluates whether they would impact critical jobs, and selectively permits or blocks changes based on this evaluation, maintaining both protection and operational capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If all computing devices are locked to prevent configuration changes, then job reliability is maximized, but productivity and device utilization deteriorate due to overly restrictive access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecritical job protectionVSAvoidsystem utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments computing devices into different groups based on their current workload status. Devices servicing critical jobs are locked from configuration changes, while devices not involved in critical jobs remain fully accessible for configuration modifications and other operations. This segmentation ensures protection where needed while maintaining productivity elsewhere

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying configuration locks to all computing devices universally, the system applies partial locking only to the specific subset of devices currently servicing critical jobs. This partial action approach provides sufficient protection for critical operations while avoiding unnecessary restrictions that would reduce overall system productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9465957B2Preventing predetermined type of configuration changes to computing devices in a computing system servicing a critical job
Publication Date: 2016.10.11 LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
  • US9465957B2 patent drawing
  • US9465957B2 patent drawing
  • US9465957B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Preventing changes to computing devices in a computing system servicing a critical job, including: identifying, by a job protection module, a critical job executing in the computing system; identifying, by the job protection module, one or more computing devices in the computing system utilized during execution of the critical job; and locking, by the job protection module, each of the one or more computing devices in the computing system utilized during execution of the critical job from undergoing a configuration change during execution of the critical job.