Pre-configured Application Image Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Provisioning computing systems is a complex and error-prone task, especially when dealing with multiple systems across data centers, as it requires repetitive configuration of enterprise-wide settings, which can violate security policies and lead to decreased productivity and increased errors.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that identifies a request to provision a computing system with a pre-configured application image from a backup system, allowing the application to be installed without performing additional configuration steps, by copying a pre-configured instance from the backup system to the target system, and optionally performing specific configuration steps for the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional provisioning methods are used with set-up scripts and manual configuration, then applications can be installed on computing systems, but the process is slow and error-prone due to repetitive configuration tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses golden images as pre-configured templates that contain applications and settings. Instead of manually configuring each new computing system, the system copies these golden images to create new instances, eliminating repetitive configuration tasks and reducing errors while maintaining consistency across all systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The golden images are prepared in advance with all necessary applications, configurations, and settings pre-installed and pre-configured. This preliminary action allows new computing systems to be provisioned quickly by simply copying the pre-prepared image, rather than performing time-consuming configuration steps after installation.
2Extent of automation
If users are allowed to configure their own computing systems, then provisioning can be automated, but enterprise security policies may be violated due to inconsistent security settings
Solution Approach 1:
By copying golden images that contain pre-configured security settings, the system ensures that all new computing systems automatically receive identical security configurations. This eliminates the risk of users making inconsistent security modifications while still allowing automated provisioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The golden image approach ensures homogeneity across all provisioned systems by using the same pre-configured template for every new computing system. This guarantees uniform security settings and configurations across the entire infrastructure, maintaining policy compliance while enabling automation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple computing systems are provisioned across data centers, then enterprise-wide deployment is achieved, but the complexity and time required for repetitive configuration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The golden image can be copied and deployed across multiple data centers simultaneously, enabling enterprise-wide provisioning. Instead of configuring each system individually across different locations, the pre-configured image is replicated to all target systems, dramatically reducing the time and effort required for large-scale deployments.
Solution Approach 2:
The golden image serves as a universal template that can be applied to provision computing systems across different data centers and environments. This multi-functional approach allows the same pre-configured image to be used throughout the enterprise, standardizing deployments while enabling broad adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for provisioning computing systems with applications may include (1) identifying a request to provision a computing system with an application in a pre-determined configuration state, where the pre-determined configuration state of the application is separated from a prior configuration state of the application by at least one configuration step, (2) locating a backup system that stores a pre-configured instance of the application that has been configured to the pre-determined configuration state at least in part by the configuration step, (3) retrieving the pre-configured instance of the application from the backup system, and (4) provisioning the computing system with the application in the pre-determined configuration state without performing the configuration step by copying the pre-configured instance of application that was retrieved from the backup system to the computing system. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.