Automated Software Deployment System with Environment Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deploying application software in complex computing environments often results in errors due to differences between testing and production environments, such as varying operating system patch levels and middleware versions, leading to reduced performance and lost revenue.
Innovation Solution
An automated software deployment system that ensures consistency across multiple phases of the software development lifecycle by providing a unified process for deploying software components across multiple tiers, using an automated tool that models applications and environments, allowing for customized deployment planning, and includes a rollback mechanism to manage deployment failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different deployment processes are used for testing and production environments, then deployment flexibility is improved, but deployment errors increase due to environment inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the deployment process into distinct phases (testing environment deployment and production environment deployment) while maintaining a unified deployment tool framework. This allows customization for each environment while ensuring consistency in the overall deployment methodology, thereby reducing errors caused by environment differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by allowing the deployment tool to accept different configuration parameters for testing and production environments. The unified tool adapts to environment-specific parameters (such as OS patch levels, middleware versions) through configurable deployment plans, maintaining flexibility while ensuring reliability through standardized processes.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual deployment processes are used to handle environment differences, then deployment customization is improved, but deployment time and human error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated deployment tools that automatically detect environment characteristics and select appropriate deployment parameters. The system performs self-configuration based on environment metadata, eliminating manual intervention while maintaining customization capabilities, thus reducing both deployment time and human error.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring deployment plans with environment-specific parameters before actual deployment. Deployment templates and configurations are prepared in advance for different environments (testing, production), allowing the automated tool to execute predefined sequences without manual customization during deployment, thereby reducing deployment time while preserving customization.
3Manufacturing precision
If environment-specific deployment configurations are maintained, then deployment accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single unified deployment tool that serves multiple environments (testing, production) with different configurations. The tool maintains a core set of universal functions while allowing environment-specific parameter overrides, thereby achieving deployment accuracy for each environment without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the unified deployment tool with configuration management) that mediates between the deployment process and environment-specific requirements. This intermediary abstracts the complexity of environment differences behind a standardized interface, maintaining deployment accuracy while preventing complexity from propagating throughout the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system, method, and machine readable medium to deploying software into a computing environment by a processor. A model of the environment into which a model of software is to be deployed is provided. A plan for deploying the software into the computing environment is provided where the plan matches elements of the software to characteristics of the computing environment. The software is deployed into the computing environment according to the customized deployment plan.