Rolling Device Update System for Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device update systems face challenges in efficiently updating multiple host devices with new information while minimizing downtime and resource costs, as they often require taking all devices offline, which disrupts service and is resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a method of downscaling, updating, and upscaling devices in a rolling or parallel manner, using a device downscaling system, an updating system, and a device upscaling system to minimize downtime and resource usage, allowing for efficient updates without additional computing resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all host devices are taken offline for updates, then updates can be performed reliably, but service disruption increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the host device population into multiple rolls or groups. Updates are applied to one roll at a time while other rolls continue serving requests, enabling incremental updates without complete system shutdown. This segmentation allows reliable updates to be performed on subsets of devices while maintaining overall service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs updates in periodic batches by cycling through different rolls of host devices. Each roll receives updates at different time intervals, creating a periodic update pattern that ensures all devices are eventually updated while maintaining continuous service availability through staggered update schedules.
2Productivity
If additional devices are used for offline updates and swapping, then update capacity increases, but resource costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the update functionality into the existing host device infrastructure by using multiple rolls of the same device type. Instead of requiring separate backup devices, the system combines update operations across multiple operational rolls, eliminating the need for additional dedicated update devices while maintaining update capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each host device roll serves dual purposes: it functions as both an operational service provider and an update target. The same device infrastructure is used for both serving requests and receiving updates, eliminating the need for separate update-only devices and optimizing resource utilization across the system.
3Quantity of substance
If devices are updated sequentially one at a time, then resource usage is minimized, but update time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the device population into parallel updateable rolls and updates multiple rolls simultaneously. This allows several devices to be updated in parallel rather than strictly sequentially, reducing total update time while maintaining controlled resource usage through the structured roll-based approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous update operations by always having some rolls being updated while others are operational. The parallel update of multiple rolls ensures that update actions are continuously performed across the system without idle time, reducing overall update duration while managing resources efficiently through the roll architecture.
4Productivity
If multiple devices are updated in parallel, then update speed increases, but coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments devices into distinct rolls with clear identification and isolation. Each roll can be updated independently with well-defined boundaries, simplifying the coordination of parallel updates. The segmentation provides natural update units that can be managed separately, reducing the complexity of coordinating multiple simultaneous updates compared to managing individual devices without structural grouping.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and programming for performing system updates are described herein. In a non-limiting embodiment, a first device from each of a plurality of rolls of devices may be downscaled, where each roll of devices is configured with information associated with that roll. Each first device may be updated with a new version of the information associated with a corresponding roll of devices, and each first device may be upscaled to the corresponding roll of devices. One or more additional devices from each of the plurality of rolls of devices may be downscaled, and, in parallel, each of the one or more additional devices may be updated with the new version of information associated with the corresponding roll of devices. Each of the one or more additional devices may then be upscaled to the corresponding roll of devices.