Universal Templates for Cross-Platform TOSCA and OVF Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtualization technologies, such as TOSCA and OVF, are limited to single-platform deployment, preventing cross-platform application deployment, as TOSCA templates cannot be deployed on VMware platforms and OVF templates cannot be deployed on TOSCA platforms.
Innovation Solution
A universal deployment template compatible with both TOSCA and OVF platforms is developed, utilizing an upper server to identify and parse deployment templates, determine target platforms, and send necessary application deployment information, enabling cross-platform deployment by extending TOSCA templates to include OVF deployment packages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a TOSCA template is used for deployment, then deployment on TOSCA platforms is enabled, but deployment on non-TOSCA platforms (e.g., VMware/OVF platforms) is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal deployment template that can be deployed on multiple platforms (TOSCA, VMware/OVF, and others) by incorporating platform-specific deployment information within a single template structure. The template includes a deployment template identifier that indicates the target platform type, allowing one template to serve multiple functions across different deployment environments without requiring separate templates for each platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an upper server as an intermediary component that receives deployment requests, parses the universal deployment template, identifies the target platform based on the template identifier, and then interacts with the appropriate resource platform. This mediator translates between the universal template format and platform-specific deployment requirements, enabling cross-platform deployment without modifying the template itself or the resource platforms.
2Reliability
If separate deployment templates are maintained for different platforms, then platform-specific deployment requirements are met, but cross-platform deployment capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple platform-specific deployment templates into a single universal deployment template by incorporating deployment information for different platforms (TOSCA, OVF, etc.) within the same template structure. The template includes platform identification information and platform-specific deployment artifacts, allowing operators to deploy applications across multiple platforms using one unified template rather than maintaining separate templates for each platform.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing resource platforms are modified to support cross-platform templates, then cross-platform deployment is enabled, but platform stability and existing functionality may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by incorporating all necessary platform-specific deployment information and artifacts into the universal deployment template before deployment occurs. The template includes deployment template identifiers, platform-specific configuration data, and artifacts that contain the actual deployment instructions for each target platform. This preparation ensures that when the upper server processes the template, it can directly interact with resource platforms using their native formats without requiring modifications to the platforms themselves.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a solution of cross-platform application deployment, which is based on a TOSCA template and is compatible with application deployment on other platforms. This solution supports cross-platform application deployment on both a TOSCA platform and a non-TOSCA platform. By adding information about a target platform and application deployment information required for application deployment on the target platform to a deployment template, an upper server performs parsing and sends the application deployment information to the target platform, thereby implementing cross-platform application deployment on the TOSCA platform and the non-TOSCA platform by using one universal template.