Automated Application Topology Discovery and Deployment System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of application topologies within an enterprise is error-prone and time-consuming, especially as complexity increases, leading to potential unavailability of critical applications and significant productivity losses due to unintended consequences of changes in the topology.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a graphical user interface to discover, define, and implement application topologies by analyzing enterprise configurations, providing a graphical representation, and creating implementation packages for computers to configure themselves according to specified constraints, allowing for testing on virtual machines before real deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a system administrator manually defines and deploys application topologies in large enterprises, then the deployment can be customized according to specific enterprise needs, but the process becomes error-prone and time-consuming, especially as complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables computers to automatically discover their roles, applications, and interconnections within the enterprise network. The topology discovery mechanism allows the system to self-configure by automatically analyzing existing configurations and relationships, eliminating manual intervention while maintaining accuracy and reducing errors in deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the deployment process by changing parameters from manual configuration to automated discovery. The system uses automated mechanisms to detect and analyze enterprise network parameters, computer roles, application installations, and interconnections, thereby improving both reliability and efficiency while preserving customization capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If the application topology complexity increases to meet enterprise needs, then the system can support more applications and computers, but the number of errors during deployment and the time of deployment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated topology discovery mechanism enables the system to automatically handle complex enterprise networks without requiring proportional increases in manual deployment time. The system self-discovers computers, networks, applications, and their interconnections, thereby managing increased complexity efficiently and reducing deployment time despite higher topology complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automated discovery and analysis of the enterprise network topology before deployment begins. By pre-identifying computers, applications, networks, and their relationships, the system prepares the deployment configuration in advance, reducing actual deployment time even as network complexity increases
3Reliability
If a system administrator manually tracks and understands the current application topology, then changes can be made with full awareness of consequences, but this becomes difficult as the topology evolves over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous automated feedback mechanisms that discover and track the current application topology, computer roles, and application interconnections. This real-time feedback provides accurate, up-to-date information about the enterprise network state, enabling reliable change management without manual tracking efforts
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an automated topology discovery system as an intermediary between the enterprise network and the administrator. This intermediary automatically gathers, analyzes, and presents topology information, eliminating the need for administrators to manually track complex evolving topologies while ensuring accurate change management
4Manufacturing precision
If the system provides detailed graphical representation and automated discovery of application topology, then deployment errors can be reduced and verification can be improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical processes of topology discovery and verification with automated electronic mechanisms. The automated discovery system uses electronic analysis of configurations and interconnections to achieve precise deployment without manual intervention, thereby improving precision while the automated nature manages the complexity burden
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for discovering, defining, and implementing an application topology through the user of a graphical user interface is provided. A topology system may analyze the topology of an enterprise and provide a graphical representation of the application topology. The topology system may discover the application topology of an enterprise by accessing various configuration data stores of the enterprise. The topology system provides a graphical representation of the application topology and allows a user to modify the topology using a graphical user interface. The topology system may then control the implementation of the application topology.