Software Deployment Images Using Smallest Dependency-Ready Bases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image files for deploying software in computing environments often include extraneous software items, leading to increased storage space consumption and resource inefficiencies, as well as potential security vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system selects the smallest base image file that meets predefined dependency criteria to build a customized image file, excluding unnecessary software items and vulnerabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If base image files include all possible dependencies and software items to ensure compatibility, then the software can be deployed reliably across different environments, but the image file size increases and storage space is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image file into multiple layers: a shared base layer containing common dependencies, and software-specific layers containing application-specific dependencies. This allows the base image to be reused across multiple software deployments without duplicating common components, reducing overall storage requirements while maintaining deployment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by including only the necessary subset of dependencies in each software-specific image layer, rather than including all possible dependencies. The shared base layer provides the common foundation, and each software layer adds only what is specifically needed, avoiding the excess of including every possible dependency in every image.
2Reliability
If image files include comprehensive software items to ensure all dependencies are met, then software deployment is more reliable, but resource consumption during deployment increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting dependencies into shared and software-specific categories, the system can efficiently manage and transfer only the necessary image layers during deployment. The shared base layer is transferred once and reused, while software-specific layers are added only when needed, reducing overall resource consumption during deployment processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If base image files are made generic to accommodate multiple software applications, then versatility is improved, but the inclusion of extraneous software items increases security vulnerabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image structure into a shared base layer containing only essential, vetted dependencies, and software-specific layers where application-dependent software items are isolated. This segmentation allows the base image to be generic and reusable for versatility, while preventing extraneous software items from propagating across different software deployments, thereby reducing security vulnerabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different security and software inclusion policies at different layers of the image structure. The shared base layer maintains high security standards with carefully selected dependencies, while software-specific layers can include application-specific software items with appropriate security considerations for each local context.
Data Source
AI summary
The sizes of image files for deploying software in a computing environment can be reduced according to some examples described herein. In one example, a system can identify base image files that each include at least a predefined amount of dependencies relied upon by target software. The system can then select a particular base image file, from the base image files, having a smallest size as compared to a remainder of the base image files. The system can then build a customized image file from the base image file, where the customized image file is configured for deploying the target software to a computing environment.