Automated Resource Scheduler and Configurator for Test Environments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In large software development companies, maintaining a pool of computing resources for testing purposes requires substantial manpower and is prone to human error due to the need for rapid configuration changes, accurate scheduling, and up-to-date documentation, which is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
An automated integrated resource scheduler, configurator, and visualizer that maintains a schedule for computing resources, automatically configures them according to the schedule without human intervention, and provides intuitive visualizations of past, present, and future resource states, reducing the need for manual configuration and documentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual monitoring and configuration of computing resources is performed, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the resource scheduler automatically monitors schedules, determines configuration needs, and configures computing resources without human intervention. The automated resource configurator executes configuration tasks based on schedule data, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and configuration while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (human monitoring and configuration) with an automated electronic system. The resource scheduler and configurator use computer-implemented algorithms to automatically process schedule data and execute configuration commands, substituting human labor with automated computational processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequent configuration changes are made to computing hosts, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but error rate and system instability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated resource configurator implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring schedule data and comparing current configurations with required configurations. The system detects configuration needs, executes appropriate changes, and verifies results, creating a closed-loop control system that reduces errors while maintaining scheduling flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-planning configuration changes based on scheduled events. The resource scheduler determines configuration requirements in advance and prepares configuration commands before execution, allowing systematic management of frequent changes and reducing the risk of errors through proactive rather than reactive configuration.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive schedule documentation is maintained manually, then information completeness is improved, but labor cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains schedule documentation automatically through self-service mechanisms. The resource scheduler continuously updates schedule data structures with current allocation information and configuration states without human intervention. Visual interfaces automatically generate and update schedule visualizations, eliminating manual documentation while ensuring information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and maintains digital copies of schedule information in structured data formats. The automated configurator generates visual representations and documentation by copying and processing schedule data, allowing comprehensive information maintenance with minimal human effort through automated data replication and presentation.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated resource scheduler, configurator and visualizer is disclosed. Allocation information that identifies a configuration state for a respective computing host at a future point in time is received for each respective computing host of a plurality of computing hosts. The allocation information is stored in a schedule data structure. The schedule data structure is automatically monitored over time. Based on a current point in time, it is determined that a computing host of the plurality of computing hosts is to be configured from a current configuration state to a subsequent configuration state identified in the schedule data structure. The computing host is automatically caused to be configured from the current configuration state to the subsequent configuration state.