Unified Web Interface for Converged Infrastructure Deployment

Solution Overview

Problem

Deploying a converged infrastructure is time-consuming and prone to errors due to the complexity of configuring multiple components such as network devices, CI cluster nodes, and virtualization environment managers, requiring multiple graphical user interfaces and command line interfaces.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a single user interface to configure network devices, CI cluster nodes, out-of-band management, and virtualization environment managers, simplifying the deployment process by creating a CI deployment file through a deployment wizard that guides users through network device and CI cluster configuration screens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple graphical user interfaces and command line interfaces are used to configure network devices, CI cluster nodes, and virtualization environment managers, then the configuration capability is comprehensive, but the deployment time increases and error rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration capabilityVSAvoiddeployment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate configuration interfaces (graphical user interfaces and command line interfaces) into a single unified web-based graphical user interface. This single interface integrates network device configuration, CI cluster node configuration, out-of-band management setup, and virtualization environment manager configuration, allowing all these tasks to be performed through one cohesive interface rather than switching between multiple tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The web-based graphical user interface is designed as a universal platform that performs multiple configuration functions that previously required separate tools. It can configure network devices, manage CI cluster nodes, set up out-of-band management, and configure virtualization environment managers, making it a multi-functional tool that replaces several specialized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple graphical user interfaces and command line interfaces are used to configure network devices, CI cluster nodes, and virtualization environment managers, then the configuration capability is comprehensive, but the error rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration capabilityVSAvoiderror rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate configuration interfaces (graphical user interfaces and command line interfaces) into a single unified web-based graphical user interface. This single interface integrates network device configuration, CI cluster node configuration, out-of-band management setup, and virtualization environment manager configuration, allowing all these tasks to be performed through one cohesive interface rather than switching between multiple tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service configuration where the unified web interface automatically manages the configuration processes across different components. The interface handles the complexity of coordinating network devices, cluster nodes, and virtualization managers, reducing human error by providing a standardized, guided configuration workflow that ensures proper settings are applied consistently across all components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a single user interface is used to configure network devices, CI cluster nodes, out-of-band management, and virtualization environment managers, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The unified web-based graphical user interface is segmented into distinct functional modules or sections, each handling a specific configuration task (network device configuration, CI cluster node configuration, out-of-band management, virtualization environment manager configuration). This segmentation allows the interface to present a simplified, organized view to users while managing the underlying complexity of multiple configuration systems through structured, modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11861412B2Method for consolidating infrastructure deployment including networking, out-of-band management, and in-band management through a web graphical user interface

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

Techniques are described herein are related to managing deployment of a converged infrastructure (CI). Such techniques may include receiving a request to initiate a CI deployment; obtaining a CI information set; creating a CI deployment file using the CI information set; rendering a deployment user interface (UI) screen that allows a user to select to configure network devices or a CI cluster; receiving a first selection to configure a network device; rendering network device configuration screens to obtain network device configuration information; adding the network device configuration information to the CI deployment file; receiving a second selection to configure the CI cluster; rendering CI cluster configuration screens to obtain CI cluster configuration information; adding the CI cluster configuration information to the CI deployment file; and deploying the CI using the CI deployment file.