Tagged Virtual Repository Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software repository management systems require clients to obtain the entire index of packages to query or access specific packages, lack version history, and do not allow for client-specific repository configurations, leading to inflexible and unmanageable repository distributions.
Innovation Solution
A method that resolves a new direct repository within non-transitory memory by applying tags to direct repositories and determining if they match indirection tags, allowing for dynamic updating and querying of indirect repositories, enabling version management and client-specific package distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If clients request the entire index of packages from the production server to query specific packages, then clients can access any package in the repository, but the communication overhead and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monolithic repository index into multiple virtual sub-repositories, each representing a portion of the package collection. Clients can query specific segments directly without retrieving the entire index, reducing communication overhead and query time while maintaining comprehensive package access capability.
2Quantity of substance
If prior versions of repositories are removed upon new version updates, then storage space is optimized, but the history of different repository versions becomes un-obtainable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a version history mechanism where previous repository versions are preserved as nested historical records within the virtual repository structure. Each version update creates a new virtual sub-repository while maintaining references to prior versions, enabling space-efficient storage through shared common elements while preserving complete version history for audit and rollback purposes.
3Speed
If changes to repositories are made directly visible to clients, then real-time updates are provided, but the ability to maintain controlled configuration distributions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic virtual sub-repositories that can be selectively activated or deactivated based on client characteristics, configuration policies, and update readiness. This dynamic structure allows the system to control the timing and targeting of repository updates, enabling real-time update capability when needed while maintaining the ability to distribute controlled configurations to different client groups at different times.
4Adaptability or versatility
If repository configurations are stored on each client rather than the production server, then client-specific configurations are maintained, but centralized management and consistency control become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual repository layer as an intermediary between the production server and clients. This virtual layer centralizes configuration management by maintaining a unified view of repository contents and client-specific requirements, while still enabling personalized configurations through virtual sub-repository assignments. The intermediary resolves configuration requests by coordinating between centralized repository data and client-specific needs, reducing management complexity while preserving adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes resolving a new direct repository within non-transitory memory by a computing device in communication with the non-transitory memory in response to a package content update associated with a lineage of direct repositories. The method includes applying a tag to each direct repository and determining whether the tag applied to the new direct repository matches an indirection tag associated with an unresolved indirect repository. The indirection tag includes a key-value pair indicating a status of the corresponding direct repository. The method further includes resolving the indirect repository by the computing device when the tag applied to the new direct repository matches the indirection tag. The resolved indirect repository points to the new direct repository.