Server Configuration Management via Centralized Object Templates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current server management tools are inadequate for managing large numbers of servers in heterogeneous computing environments, leading to manual configuration changes, human errors, and frequent misconfigurations, especially in complex distributed applications across multiple operating systems like UNIX, LINUX, and WINDOWS.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for managing servers through server objects, which include configuration parameters and assets, allowing for browsing, snapshotting, tracking changes, restoring configurations, and updating servers across a network, using a centralized management system that models server objects and provides transaction-safe operations to synchronize configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration changes are made for each server, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but human errors increase and configuration consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses configuration templates that store standardized server configuration patterns. These templates can be copied and applied across multiple servers, ensuring configuration consistency while reducing manual effort. The template mechanism allows administrators to define configurations once and replicate them across heterogeneous server environments, eliminating repetitive manual configuration tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments server configuration into discrete, manageable components represented as server objects. Each configuration element (files, directories, registry entries, services) is broken down into atomic units that can be independently managed, tracked, and configured. This segmentation enables precise control over configuration changes and simplifies the management of complex distributed applications across multiple servers.
2Loss of information
If centralized management system is implemented, then configuration tracking and consistency are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a configuration manager as an intermediary component that mediates between administrators and the distributed server infrastructure. This configuration manager maintains a centralized configuration database and coordinates configuration changes across servers, providing comprehensive tracking without requiring direct complex interactions between all system components. The configuration manager acts as a focal point for configuration management activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms where the configuration manager continuously monitors server configurations and compares them against the centralized configuration database. When discrepancies are detected, the system automatically generates notifications and can trigger corrective actions. This feedback loop ensures configuration consistency is maintained without requiring constant manual intervention, reducing the perceived system complexity.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If monitoring tools are used for problem identification, then issue detection is improved, but corrective capability and configuration assistance remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges monitoring and configuration management functions into a unified system. The configuration manager not only detects configuration issues through automated monitoring but also provides integrated corrective capabilities through template-based configuration application and automated remediation workflows. This consolidation eliminates the gap between problem detection and resolution, allowing administrators to address configuration issues within the same management interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service capabilities where the system automatically detects configuration drift and can autonomously apply corrective configurations based on predefined templates and policies. The configuration manager monitors server states, identifies deviations from desired configurations, and automatically remediates issues without requiring manual administrator intervention for every problem, thereby improving both detection and correction efficiency.
4Productivity
If existing ESM products are used, then basic monitoring is provided, but centralized configuration management and interdependency tracking are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hierarchical configuration model where server objects contain nested configuration elements (files, directories, registry entries, services). This nested structure allows the system to track configurations at multiple levels of abstraction simultaneously. The configuration manager can monitor high-level server configurations while also tracking detailed interdependencies of individual configuration elements within each server, providing comprehensive visibility into configuration relationships across the distributed environment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for configuring heterogeneous servers across a network through modules that can browse, snapshot, track changes, track compliance, correct server objects on each of the servers, and provision new servers is provided. In one embodiment, server objects on multiple servers can be browsed in real time. While browsing, a collection of server object identifiers can be selected and collected in a template. The values of the server objects identified in the template can be recorded for a “gold server” through a “snapshot” process, which collects the values and saves them in a reference model. By comparing other live servers to the reference model, discrepancies in configuration of the other live servers can be identified and corrected. The reference models can also be used to provision a new server. Alternative to the reference model, an arbitrary snapshot or scheduled snapshots of a server can be used to track change and compliance in that server.