Graphical Service Map Versioning for Network Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

In large managed networks, simultaneous updates to service maps by multiple users can lead to incompatible changes and errors, making it difficult to maintain an accurate representation of hardware and software components and their relationships.

Innovation Solution

A two-phase approach to updating service maps through a graphical user interface, where each user works on a private copy that does not affect the active map until committed, allowing for review and oversight to prevent errors and inconsistencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple users are granted the ability to update the service map simultaneously, then the ease of operation and collaboration is improved, but the reliability and consistency of the service map deteriorates due to incompatible changes and errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of updating service mapVSAvoidconsistency of service map

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The service map update process is segmented into two distinct phases: a private editing phase where users can make changes without affecting others, and a public commit phase where changes are reviewed and merged. This segmentation allows multiple users to work simultaneously on private copies while maintaining the integrity of the active service map through controlled merging procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Users perform preliminary editing actions on private copies of the service map before committing changes to the active map. This preliminary action allows users to prepare changes in isolation, review them, and resolve potential conflicts before they impact the shared service map, thereby preventing incompatible changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If users can directly edit the active service map, then the productivity and speed of updates is improved, but the manufacturing precision and accuracy deteriorate due to potential errors and lack of review

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of updating service mapVSAvoidaccuracy of service map

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A private copy of the service map serves as an intermediary between the user's editing actions and the active service map. Users edit the private copy with full freedom and speed, while the commit process acts as a mediator that reviews, validates, and merges changes into the active map, ensuring accuracy without compromising productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a two-phase editing approach is implemented with private copies and review procedures, then the reliability and accuracy of service map updates is improved, but the complexity of the editing process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of service mapVSAvoidcomplexity of editing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides self-service capabilities through automated merge conflict detection and resolution assistance. The platform automatically manages the private copy creation, change tracking, and merge operations, reducing the manual complexity users would otherwise face in managing multiple versions and conflicts manually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If simultaneous edits by multiple users are allowed on the active service map, then the productivity is improved, but the loss of information increases due to overwriting incompatible changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollaboration efficiencyVSAvoidloss of incompatible changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback mechanisms during the commit process that notify users of potential conflicts between their private copy changes and the active service map or other users' changes. This feedback allows users to review and resolve conflicts before merging, preventing information loss while maintaining collaborative productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11880557B2Distributed editing and versioning for graphical service maps of a managed network

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 SERVICENOW INC

AI summary

A remote network management platform manages a managed network. The managed network may contain computing devices for executing applications. The remote network management platform may also include a database storing a graph that represents the computing devices, the applications, and relationships therebetween. A computing device may be configured to generate and provide a graphical user interface that includes: (i) a panel containing an active copy of the graph read from the database, (ii) a first selectable control that creates an editable, private copy of the graph and replaces the active copy of the graph in the panel with the editable, private copy of the graph, and (iii) a second selectable control that updates the active copy of the graph with the editable, private copy of the graph, saves the active copy of the graph as updated to the database, and displays the active copy of the graph as updated.