Self-managed IT Asset Configuration via Recursive Dispatch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support platforms for managing computing devices rely on centralized 'master' nodes for configuration management, which can lead to single points of failure, complexity in setup, and exposure to security risks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a self-managed information technology asset configuration tool that can be deployed across multiple IT assets in an IT infrastructure environment, allowing any arbitrary IT asset to act as a service configuration node and perform configuration operations recursively across multiple levels of a processing hierarchy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a centralized master node is used for configuration management, then configuration control is simplified, but system reliability deteriorates due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized configuration management system into distributed configuration management nodes. Each node independently manages configuration for its assigned devices, eliminating the single point of failure while maintaining manageable complexity through local autonomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service configuration management where devices can autonomously retrieve and apply configuration settings without requiring constant intervention from a central master node. This reduces dependency on centralized control while improving system reliability.
2Device complexity
If a centralized master node is used for configuration management, then configuration control is simplified, but security risks increase due to exposure to public networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration management function across multiple distributed nodes, each operating in isolated segments. This limits the impact of potential security breaches to individual segments rather than exposing the entire system to public network risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces local configuration caches and intermediaries between devices and the configuration management system. These intermediaries handle configuration requests locally, reducing direct exposure to public networks and minimizing security risks.
3Reliability
If a self-managed configuration tool is deployed on each IT asset, then system reliability improves through fault tolerance, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service configuration management approach where each IT asset includes its own configuration management capabilities. This enables fault tolerance as each node can operate independently, while the self-service nature simplifies deployment and reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal configuration management tool that can be deployed on any IT asset regardless of type. This multi-functional approach improves reliability through fault tolerance while avoiding the complexity of type-specific solutions by using a single standardized platform.
4Manufacturing precision
If configuration operations are performed recursively across multiple levels of processing hierarchy, then configuration completeness improves, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration actions by pre-establishing configuration templates and hierarchies before actual configuration operations are needed. This allows recursive configuration across multiple levels to execute more efficiently, improving completeness while reducing operational time through prepared structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous configuration synchronization that operates in the background, maintaining configuration completeness across hierarchical levels without requiring lengthy batch operations. This continuous approach ensures completeness while minimizing time impact by distributing the configuration workload.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises at least one processing device configured to deploy, at a given one of a plurality of information technology assets in an information technology infrastructure environment, an instance of a self-managed information technology asset configuration tool. The at least one processing device is also configured to determine, utilizing the instance of the self-managed information technology asset configuration tool deployed on the given information technology asset, a logical dispatch order for performing configuration operations for at least one of the plurality of information technology assets in the information technology infrastructure environment, wherein the logical dispatch order operates recursively across two or more levels of a processing hierarchy. The at least one processing device is further configured to perform, utilizing the instance of the self-managed information technology asset configuration tool deployed on the given information technology asset, the configuration operations in accordance with the determined logical dispatch order.