Virtual Appliance Generation with Embedded Licenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual appliance generation systems fail to include configurable licenses within virtual appliances, leading to complications in software module usage due to licensing restrictions, which necessitate separate license acquisition for software modules, hindering the implementation of services.
Innovation Solution
A virtual appliance generation system that allows users to select and enable licenses for software modules and components through an authorization module, generating an authorized virtual appliance container with embedded licenses, enabling seamless instantiation without additional licensing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If virtual appliance generation systems encapsulate software modules without embedded licenses, then the virtual appliances can be generated and distributed, but users must acquire licenses separately which complicates deployment and reduces convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the license information with the virtual appliance package by embedding license data directly into the virtual appliance container. This combination allows users to obtain both the software module and its corresponding license in a single package, eliminating the need for separate license acquisition processes and thereby improving deployment convenience while reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If virtual appliance generation systems do not provide security measures for licenses, then the system implementation is simpler, but license disclosure and alteration cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by embedding security measures directly into the virtual appliance container during the generation phase. License information is protected using encryption and digital signature techniques before the virtual appliance is distributed. This preliminary protection ensures that licenses cannot be easily disclosed or altered, while the security mechanisms are seamlessly integrated into the existing virtual appliance generation process, minimizing additional complexity.
3Productivity
If separate license acquisition is required for software modules, then license control is maintained, but the overall process time and user effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-embedding the necessary license information into the virtual appliance container during its generation. This allows users to deploy virtual appliances with already-included licenses, eliminating the need for separate license acquisition steps. The result is a significant reduction in the time and effort required for service implementation, thereby improving productivity without compromising license control.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a virtual appliance generation system receives from a client via a communications link a selection identifier associated with a capability of a virtual appliance module, accesses an authorization value associated with the capability of the virtual appliance module in response to the receiving, and stores an identifier of the capability of the virtual appliance module within a virtual appliance descriptor. The authorization value is also stored within the virtual appliance descriptor. A digest based on the virtual appliance descriptor is generated and a virtual appliance container including a portion of the virtual appliance module, the virtual appliance descriptor, and the digest is generated. The virtual appliance generation system then provides the virtual appliance container to the client.