State-Aware CI via Centralized Build Cache
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) tools are wasteful in using computing resources, as they often repeat and duplicate work processes across distributed user devices, leading to inefficiencies in processor cycles and prolonged deployment times.
Innovation Solution
State-aware continuous integration centralizes storage and processing operations by introducing instant state restoration and copy-on-write approaches, allowing worker nodes to access and modify resources simultaneously, reducing repetitive build tasks and speeding up test and acceptance cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional CI/CD tools are used with distributed worker nodes, then code changes can be integrated, but computing resources are wasted through repetitive build tasks across multiple nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges build tasks into a centralized build node that maintains a shared build cache accessible by all worker nodes. Instead of each worker node performing independent builds, they share the centralized build results, eliminating redundant processor cycles while maintaining integration productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a build cache that stores compiled artifacts and dependencies centrally. Worker nodes copy only the necessary cached build results rather than performing full builds, reducing processor cycle usage while enabling fast code integration.
2Productivity
If traditional CI/CD tools perform independent builds on each worker node, then distributed processing is achieved, but deployment times are prolonged due to duplicative work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes and stores build artifacts in a centralized cache before they are needed by worker nodes. When deployment is required, worker nodes simply retrieve pre-built artifacts rather than performing builds during deployment, significantly reducing deployment time while maintaining fast productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines build, test, and deployment operations into a coordinated workflow where the centralized build cache serves all worker nodes simultaneously. This merging eliminates the sequential duplicative work of independent builds, reducing test and acceptance cycle time while maintaining deployment speed.
3Ease of operation
If each worker node performs independent build tasks, then autonomy is maintained, but computing resources are spent repeating the same work processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized build cache as an intermediary between the build node and worker nodes. Worker nodes maintain autonomy by requesting and retrieving build artifacts from the cache rather than performing independent builds, eliminating computing resource waste while preserving operational independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables worker nodes to copy build artifacts from the centralized cache rather than performing independent builds. This copying approach maintains worker node autonomy and ease of operation while eliminating the computing resource waste of repetitive build processes.
Data Source
AI summary
State-aware continuous integration is provided by receiving, at a server from a first worker node, a committed update to an image stored in a central image pool accessible by a plurality of worker nodes that includes the first worker node; identifying a dependency for the committed update to a baseline state of the image to which the committed update applies changes; adding the committed update as a new state for the image to the central image pool; updating a structure for the image according to the dependency for the new state to the baseline state; and publishing the structure to the plurality of worker nodes to indicate that the new state is available for use in developing the image as a candidate baseline state.