Network Configuration Generator for Distributed Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring large multi-site distributed computing systems is time-intensive and prone to errors due to the complexity of coordinating numerous underlying servers across different geographic locations, requiring significant resources and expertise.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a network configuration generator and multiple computing system racks, where the generator receives and processes network configuration information to create a system-wide configuration file, enabling automated updating of network configurations across nodes, thereby simplifying the setup of distributed computing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual coordination of configuration between separate human resources at each site is used, then configuration can be performed with existing expertise, but it leads to delays, configuration errors, and requires significant resources and expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses configuration templates that serve as copies of proven working configurations. These templates can be rapidly replicated across multiple sites without requiring manual coordination of each configuration detail, thereby reducing both time and errors associated with manual configuration coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration actions by pre-defining configuration parameters and templates before deployment. This allows sites to be configured quickly by simply applying pre-prepared templates rather than coordinating manual configuration in real-time, eliminating delays and reducing errors
2Productivity
If automated configuration generation is implemented, then deployment speed increases and errors are reduced, but system complexity increases due to the need for configuration management infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex configuration management logic into separate configuration templates and generation components. This separates the complexity from the actual deployment process, allowing simple application of templates at each site while the complex template generation and management is handled centrally by the configuration management system
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration templates act as intermediaries between the complex centralized configuration management system and the individual site deployments. This intermediary layer simplifies the interface for both the configuration management system and the deployment process, allowing automated generation to increase productivity without proportionally increasing operational complexity
3Ease of operation
If centralized configuration management is used, then coordination between sites is simplified, but requires significant resources and expertise to manage
Solution Approach 1:
By using configuration templates that can be copied and applied at multiple sites, the system reduces the need for centralized coordination of each individual configuration. The templates serve as reusable copies that can be deployed independently at each site, reducing the resource requirements for centralized management while maintaining coordination benefits
Data Source
AI summary
A single-geo system includes a network configuration generator and a first computing system rack, or a multi-geo system includes a network configuration generator, a first computing system rack, and a second computing system rack are described. The system receives network information for a first plurality of nodes and a second plurality of nodes, and generates a system-wide network configuration file including network configuration information for the first plurality of nodes and the second plurality of nodes. Each plurality of nodes includes a controller node to receive the system-wide network configuration file, identify network configuration information for this plurality of nodes in the system-wide network configuration file as being part of the computing system rack, and update network configuration for this plurality of nodes based on the identified network configuration information for the computing system rack.