Automated Software Configuration Alignment Engine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current computing systems face challenges in ensuring uninterrupted interoperability and timely configuration alignment across multiple systems, leading to potential interruptions and errors due to manual and error-prone processes when configuration changes occur in one system but need to be reflected in dependent systems.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method for aligning software component configurations across computing systems, which involves receiving configuration changes from a source system, determining their applicability to target systems, and generating and transmitting necessary configuration changes using a configuration engine with change analysis and proposal generation components, ensuring consistent and automated updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual configuration changes are performed across computing systems, then configuration updates can be applied, but the process is error-prone and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration update speedVSAvoidconfiguration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting configuration changes in the source computing system, analyzing their impact on target systems, and propagating necessary changes without human intervention. The configuration management system monitors itself and autonomously maintains consistency across distributed systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical configuration processes are replaced with an automated electronic system that uses configuration rules, impact analysis algorithms, and automated propagation mechanisms. The system substitutes human operators with computational processes that analyze configuration dependencies and execute updates programmatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If configuration changes are propagated across multiple computing systems, then interoperability is maintained, but the complexity of managing changes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteroperability continuityVSAvoidconfiguration management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration management system is segmented into distinct functional modules: configuration change detection, impact analysis, rule-based propagation control, and automated update execution. Each module handles a specific aspect of configuration management, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration management system acts as an intermediary between source and target computing systems. It receives configuration changes from source systems, analyzes their impact, and selectively propagates changes to target systems, thereby simplifying the complexity of direct multi-system configuration management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If automated configuration propagation is implemented, then manual operations are reduced, but the system requires sophisticated analysis and rule management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual operation requirementVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration management system provides universal functionality by handling multiple types of configuration changes (new configurations, updates, deletions) across different computing systems through a single unified platform. It manages various configuration parameters and applies consistent propagation logic regardless of the specific configuration type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring configuration changes in real-time, analyzing their impact on target systems, and adjusting propagation decisions based on configuration rules and system state. This closed-loop feedback enables automated operation while managing complexity through adaptive control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11416264B2Software component configuration alignment

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 SAP SE

AI summary

A method, a system and a computer program product for performing software configuration alignment. An indication of a source configuration change of one or more source computing processes of a source computing system is received from the source computing system. A determination is made whether the source configuration change is applicable to one or more target computing processes of a target computing system. The target computing system is communicatively coupled to the source computing system. Using the source configuration change, a target configuration change for implementation in the target computing processes of the target computing system is generated. The generated target configuration change is transmitted to the target computing system. The generated target configuration change is implemented in the target computing processes of the target computing system.