Patch Snapshot Control for Computing Resource Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of network-based services face inconsistencies and compatibility issues due to unpredictable patch deployments on computing resources, leading to performance and compatibility problems across different resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a 'snapshot' of approved patches that can be modified by users, allowing only those patches to be deployed for a specified period, ensuring all resources are in a consistent patched state and preventing incompatible patches from being installed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If patches are deployed automatically to computing resources, then security vulnerabilities and software bugs are fixed, but inconsistencies and compatibility issues arise among computing resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a snapshot of approved patches before deployment and allows users to review and modify the list in advance. This preliminary action enables users to ensure compatibility and consistency before patches are actually deployed to computing resources, preventing inconsistencies while still maintaining security updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback mechanisms by notifying users of pending patches and allowing them to review the snapshot list. This feedback loop enables users to make informed decisions about patch deployment, ensuring that security updates are applied while maintaining consistency across computing resources.
2Stability of the object's composition
If users are given control to modify patch deployment, then compatibility issues are reduced, but deployment time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares a snapshot of approved patches in advance and presents it to users for review. This preliminary preparation reduces deployment time because the patch selection work is done beforehand, and users only need to review and approve the pre-curated list rather than making decisions during deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically evaluates patches against approval rules and generates the snapshot list without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability reduces the time and effort users need to spend on patch management while still providing them with control over what gets deployed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a snapshot of approved patches is maintained, then resource consistency is ensured, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The snapshot acts as an intermediary between patch evaluation and deployment. It simplifies the system by creating a clear separation: patches are evaluated against rules to create the snapshot, and then the snapshot is deployed without requiring complex real-time decision-making during deployment. This intermediary layer reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch management process is segmented into distinct phases: patch evaluation, snapshot creation, user review, and deployment. This segmentation allows each phase to be handled independently with appropriate complexity, reducing the overall system complexity by breaking down the monolithic patch management process into manageable segments.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes techniques for providing users of services provided by network-based service platforms with additional control for approving patches that are to be deployed to computing resources that support their services. In some examples, the techniques include generating and using a “snapshot,” or list, of patches that are preliminarily approved for deployment. Prior to deploying the patches to the computing resources, users are provided with access to the snapshot and are able to modify the snapshot. For example, users can modify the snapshot by adding patches, removing patches, specifying a sequence in which the patches are to be deployed, and so forth. The snapshot of patches may be “frozen” for a period of time, meaning that patches that during the period of time, only patches in the snapshot are deployed, and patches that are not included in the snapshot are not permitted to be deployed to computing resources.