Automatic Software-Update Framework Reduces Deployment Complexity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In a network environment, managing software updates across multiple client environments running the same version of a software program is inefficient, as existing methods require creating separate updates for each environment, leading to redundancy and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A framework that allows tasks developed and tested for one client environment to be reduced to a set of data for creating updates in other environments, utilizing a software-program update service that authenticates with client environments and uses a task-development module to generate and track updates, enabling automatic rollout to identical environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate updates are created for each client environment, then each environment receives customized updates, but redundancy and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal update framework where a single update task can be applied across multiple client environments. The update service receives a task from a development environment and automatically distributes it to multiple production client environments, eliminating the need to create separate updates for each environment while maintaining customization through environment-specific configuration data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the update task in the development environment, modifies it with environment-specific data, and then replicates this modified task across multiple client environments. This copying mechanism allows a single source update to be adapted and deployed to multiple destinations without manual recreation of each update.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate updates are created for each client environment, then environment-specific requirements are met, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The framework performs preliminary actions by creating and testing the update task in a development environment before deploying to production. Environment-specific configuration data is prepared in advance and stored, allowing the automated distribution system to simply retrieve and apply the pre-configured update data rather than creating updates from scratch for each environment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of manually creating separate updates for each environment, the system copies the validated update task structure and automatically instantiates it in each client environment by injecting environment-specific data. This copying approach dramatically reduces the time required to deploy updates across multiple environments while maintaining environment-specific customization.
3Reliability
If manual update processes are used for each environment, then control over updates is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The update service implements self-service automation where the system automatically retrieves update tasks from the development environment, selects the appropriate client environments, and distributes the updates without manual intervention. The automated task manager handles the entire deployment process, maintaining reliability through structured automation while significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the automated task manager monitors the update deployment status across client environments and provides feedback to the development environment. This feedback loop allows the system to track which environments have received the update and their status, maintaining control and reliability while operating automatically to improve productivity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An automation framework for providing updates in a distributed environment includes various elements. The framework provides tasks to a client environment, such as a software update. An update can be developed and tested for one client environment. That update can be reduced to a set of data that can be used to create updates for other client environments that include a same version of the program. In addition, a respective script can be generated for each client environment based on the specific client environment.