Provisioning Management System for Automated Infrastructure Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual provisioning and configuration of computing resources in data centers are time-consuming and error-prone, requiring complex scripts and extensive manual interaction with multiple systems, especially for frequently repeated tasks like hardware configuration and software installation.

Innovation Solution

A provisioning management system that interfaces with configuration management tools and computer resource management systems to provision computing resources using infrastructure code definitions in a machine-readable format, allowing users to describe desired resources without manual interaction, and enabling scalable, parallel composition and decomposition of computing infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual provisioning and configuration processes are used, then flexibility and adaptability in handling diverse computing resources are maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning accuracyVSAvoidprovisioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service provisioning where the provisioning management system automatically interprets infrastructure code definitions and coordinates with computer resource management systems to provision computing resources without human intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously translating high-level infrastructure definitions into system-specific configuration commands and executing the provisioning workflow automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical provisioning operations are replaced with an automated software-based system. The provisioning management system substitutes human operators and manual scripting with an automated platform that interprets infrastructure code definitions, generates configuration commands, and coordinates resource allocation across multiple management systems through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If complex scripts and manual interaction with multiple systems are used, then detailed control over provisioning processes is achieved, but the complexity of operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning simplicityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The provisioning management system acts as an intermediary layer between users and multiple computer resource management systems. It receives infrastructure code definitions in a standardized format, translates them into system-specific commands, and coordinates provisioning across diverse platforms. This intermediary abstraction shields users from the underlying complexity of integrating multiple different resource management systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides universal provisioning capabilities that work across multiple different computer resource management systems through a single standardized interface. The infrastructure code definition format and provisioning workflow are universal, allowing the same high-level definitions to provision resources across heterogeneous systems without requiring system-specific scripts or manual configuration for each platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If manual provisioning processes are used, then adaptability to specific infrastructure requirements is maintained, but productivity and scalability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning speedVSAvoidinfrastructure customization flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The provisioning process is segmented into distinct automated stages: interpretation of infrastructure code definitions, translation into system-specific commands, coordination with resource management systems, and execution of provisioning workflows. Each stage is independently automated and can be executed in parallel for multiple resources, dramatically increasing provisioning speed while maintaining the ability to customize infrastructure through the code definition language.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides dynamic provisioning capabilities where infrastructure code definitions can be modified and re-executed to adapt to changing requirements. The automated system dynamically generates appropriate configuration commands and coordinates real-time resource allocation across multiple management systems, enabling rapid adaptation to new infrastructure requirements without manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10291466B2Computing infrastructure provisioning

Publication Date: 2019.05.14 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

According to an example, a provisioning management system receives an infrastructure code definition including a description of computing infrastructure, and determines, based on the infrastructure code definition, configuration instructions usable by computer resource management systems for provisioning the computing infrastructure. The configuration instructions are provided to the computer resource management systems to facilitate the provisioning of the computing infrastructure.