Software Package Installation Across Heterogeneous Computing Instances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing software package installations, uninstallations, and updates across a fleet of computing instances with diverse characteristics, such as different operating systems and architectures, is challenging due to the complexity of tracking version releases and requiring specialized knowledge and access.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows customers to issue a single request for software package operations across multiple computing instances, using agent components to select and install appropriate versions based on instance characteristics, with features for uninstallation, constraint enforcement, and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If software package installation is performed manually on each computing instance, then installation precision and control can be maintained, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple computing instances into a single manageable group or fleet, allowing software package operations to be performed centrally on the group rather than individually on each instance. This merging approach enables simultaneous management of diverse instances through unified interfaces, dramatically improving installation efficiency while reducing the time required for version tracking and deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides a universal software package management interface that can operate across multiple computing instances with different operating systems and architectures. A single management interface performs multiple functions including installation, uninstallation, updating, and version tracking across heterogeneous instances, eliminating the need for separate manual processes for each instance type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If diverse package types are used to match different operating systems and architectures, then adaptability improves, but device complexity and difficulty of management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary software package management system that sits between the user and the diverse computing instances. This intermediary automatically selects and manages the appropriate package types for different operating systems and architectures, shielding users from the complexity of diverse package formats while maintaining full adaptability to various instance types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes parameters such as package type, version, and installation method based on the characteristics of each computing instance. By automatically detecting instance properties like operating system and architecture, the system adjusts the software package parameters accordingly, maintaining adaptability while reducing management complexity through automated parameter selection.
3Ease of operation
If centralized management system is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but system complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized management system incorporates self-service capabilities where the system automatically performs tasks such as version detection, package selection, and installation without requiring extensive user intervention. This self-service approach simplifies operation for customers while the system handles the underlying complexity automatically, reducing the perceived system complexity for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions such as pre-configuring package manifests, pre-selecting appropriate package types, and pre-validating instance compatibility before actual installation. This preliminary preparation work reduces the complexity of the main installation operation and simplifies the user experience by handling complex setup tasks automatically before the user needs to act.
Data Source
AI summary
Software packages may be installed, uninstalled and/or updated across a group of computing instances by way of a single issuance of a user request. The request may include information such as a software package name, a software package version, an action (e.g., install or uninstall), and one or more operating constraints for the software package. For an installation request, an agent on a given computing instance may process the request by accessing a manifest that indicates various computing instance characteristics (e.g., operating system types, architecture types, etc.) and various respective available versions of the software package. The agent may then select, based on characteristics of the computing instance, a package type for the computing instance. An installation request may also allow operating constraints (e.g. regarding usage of processing, memory, I/O and other resources) to be set and enforced for the software package.