Automated Platform Provisioning via Resource Bundles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing process of creating and managing computer platforms for enterprises is time-consuming, expensive, and error-prone, especially when multiple platforms of varying types and functionality need to be supported, and there is inefficiency in resource allocation due to underutilized hardware resources.
Innovation Solution
An automated platform provisioning system that uses a profile engine to identify appropriate resource bundles based on user requests, generates infrastructure binding data through REST API services, and stores final platform definitions in a central repository, enabling efficient creation and re-creation of platforms while optimizing resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual platform provisioning is performed by IT employees, then flexibility and customization are improved, but time consumption and error rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses templates to store standardized platform configurations that can be copied and reused multiple times. When provisioning a new platform, the system retrieves the appropriate template and automatically applies the configured settings, eliminating manual configuration work while maintaining consistency and accuracy across identical platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring platform templates with all necessary settings, components, and parameters before actual platform provisioning. This advance preparation allows rapid deployment when templates are applied, as the complex configuration work has already been completed in the template definition phase.
2Measurement precision
If multiple individual hardware resource requests are processed separately, then resource allocation accuracy is improved, but processing complexity and approval time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual hardware resource requests into a single unified platform request. The system processes one comprehensive request that encompasses all necessary components (web servers, application servers, databases, etc.) rather than handling separate requests for each resource, thereby reducing approval steps while maintaining accurate resource allocation through template-based specifications.
3Reliability
If hardware resources are dedicated to test platforms, then testing reliability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables easy discarding of test platform instances when testing is complete, with automatic recovery and recycling of the underlying hardware resources. The template-based approach allows rapid re-provisioning of test environments as needed, ensuring testing reliability when required while maximizing resource utilization by releasing dedicated resources when not in use.
4Manufacturing precision
If manual configuration of platform components is performed, then configuration accuracy is improved, but labor cost and error rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs templates that contain pre-validated configuration settings for platform components. These templates are copied and applied automatically during platform provisioning, ensuring configuration accuracy through standardized, tested settings while eliminating manual configuration tasks. The templates encapsulate best practices and technical requirements, guaranteeing accurate configurations without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, a system to automate platform provisioning for an enterprise includes a platform resource computer store containing a set of electronic data records (each including a component identifier and a set of computing characteristic values). A profile engine may receive a platform request from a user associated with the enterprise and identify, based on data in the platform resource computer store, a resource bundle of components appropriate in view of the platform request. A platform generator may receive platform requirements based on the identified resource bundle of components and provide input data to a REST API service. Final platform definition information for the enterprise may be stored into a central repository. According to some embodiments, a platform provisioning system may process IaaS and PaaS automation components and utilize a return service to generate infrastructure binding data to couple components in the resource bundle to each other.