Tag-Based Deployment for Overlapping Host Sets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual determination of software upgrades for computing systems is cumbersome and error-prone, especially in large and complex deployments involving multiple upgrades and hosts, due to the need for considering various host characteristics such as architecture, operating system, and geographic region.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a tag-based deployment system where upgrade packages and hosts are associated with tags that form hierarchies, allowing for automated matching and selection of appropriate packages based on host tags, thereby simplifying the deployment process and reducing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual determination is used for selecting software upgrades, then flexibility in decision-making is maintained, but the process becomes cumbersome and error-prone in large-scale deployments
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the deployment service automatically matches upgrade packages to target hosts by comparing package tags with host tags, eliminating the need for manual determination while ensuring accurate and consistent upgrade selection across large-scale deployments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the upgrade selection process from manual parameter evaluation to automated tag-based matching, where hosts and packages are characterized by hierarchical tags (e.g., operating system version, architecture, region) that enable systematic and error-free comparison and selection
2Productivity
If automated tag-based matching is implemented, then deployment efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to hierarchical tag structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the upgrade selection criteria into discrete hierarchical tags (e.g., distribution tag, version tag, architecture tag) that can be independently managed and combined, allowing efficient automated matching while organizing complexity into manageable, modular components
Solution Approach 2:
The tag hierarchy system serves multiple functions: it characterizes hosts and packages, enables automated matching, supports hierarchical inheritance (parent-child tag relationships), and provides a universal framework that can accommodate various upgrade scenarios across different computing environments
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive host characteristics are considered for upgrade selection, then accuracy of matching is improved, but the determination process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces tags as intermediary elements that mediate between host characteristics and package requirements, transforming complex multi-dimensional matching into simplified tag-comparison operations where the deployment service matches package tags against host tags through hierarchical inheritance rules
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for deploying software packages are provided. In an example, a deployment service allows users to deploy software packages to target sets of computing devices where the target sets may overlap. The deployment service prevents software packages from being deployed to target sets that would conflict with a software package deployed to at least some of the target set as a result of the target set overlapping with another set.