Resource Manager for Interdependent Release Pipelines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated application-release-management systems face challenges in efficiently coordinating and managing resources across multiple, interdependent release pipelines, leading to complexities in access control and resource sharing, which hinders the continuous development and release of cloud-computing applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an automated-application-release-management subsystem that allows resources to be shared among multiple, interdependent release pipelines and provides controlled access through a workflow-based management system, enabling parameter exchange between tasks and incorporating inter-application dependencies to resolve branching pipelines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If resources are shared among multiple interdependent release pipelines, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but access control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a resource manager as an intermediary component that mediates between multiple release pipelines and shared resources. The resource manager maintains a resource pool and handles all resource allocation requests, implementing access control policies centrally rather than in each pipeline. This allows efficient resource sharing while keeping access control logic centralized and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The resource manager is designed as a universal component that serves multiple interdependent release pipelines simultaneously. It provides a single interface for resource allocation that works across different pipelines, reducing the need for separate access control mechanisms for each pipeline and thereby reducing overall complexity.
2Extent of automation
If automated application-release-management subsystem is implemented, then release automation is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated release-management system is segmented into distinct functional components: a workflow engine that manages pipeline execution, a resource manager that handles resource allocation, and an artifact repository that stores build artifacts. Each component has a specific responsibility and can be independently configured and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while providing comprehensive automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The workflow engine acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the resource manager and artifact repository, orchestrating the release process automatically. This central coordination layer provides automation without requiring complex integration logic in each individual pipeline, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Reliability
If parameter exchange between tasks is enabled, then pipeline coordination is improved, but information management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where task outputs are automatically captured and made available as inputs for subsequent tasks in the pipeline. The workflow engine monitors task completion and automatically triggers dependent tasks when their prerequisites are met, providing reliable coordination without manual information management. This automated feedback loop reduces complexity by eliminating manual parameter passing while ensuring accurate pipeline coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
The current document is directed to automated application-release-management facilities that, in a described implementation, coordinate continuous development and release of cloud-computing applications. The application-release-management process is specified, in the described implementation, by application-release-management pipelines, each pipeline comprising one or more stages, with each stage comprising one or more tasks. The currently described methods and systems allow resources to be shared among multiple, interdependent release pipelines and allow access to shared resources to be controlled.