Visual Upgrade Manager for Virtualized Assets
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of tracking interrelationships between hardware, firmware, and software components in cloud computing environments makes installation and upgrade processes challenging, leading to potential downtime and significant administrative effort due to dependencies and version management issues.
Innovation Solution
A visual dashboard and guided planning tool that allows administrators to select target assets for updates, determine dependencies, and generate upgrade plans, providing a visual overview and preview of the effects of upgrades or installations within a virtualized computing environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional techniques are used for managing installs and upgrades, then administrators can maintain control over the virtualized computing environment, but the process becomes extremely complex and time-consuming due to tracking interrelationships between hardware, firmware, and software components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an upgrade manager as an intermediary system that automatically discovers, tracks, and manages interrelationships between components. This mediator handles the complex dependency analysis between hardware, firmware, and software assets, freeing administrators from manually tracking these relationships while maintaining reliable control over the upgrade process
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service capabilities through automated dependency discovery and upgrade plan generation. The upgrade manager automatically identifies component relationships, analyzes compatibility, and creates upgrade plans without requiring administrators to manually research or document interrelationships, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining control
2Reliability
If administrators manually research and plan upgrades, then they can identify dependencies and precautions, but this requires significant administrative effort and time
Solution Approach 1:
The upgrade manager performs preliminary actions by automatically discovering and documenting all component dependencies and prerequisites before the administrator initiates an upgrade. The system pre-analizes compatibility issues, identifies required precautions, and prepares upgrade plans in advance, eliminating the need for administrators to manually research these details when upgrade time arrives
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that automatically provide administrators with dependency information, compatibility warnings, and prerequisite requirements based on real-time analysis of the virtualized environment. This feedback loop replaces manual research by continuously monitoring and reporting on component relationships and upgrade implications
3Reliability
If upgrade plans include all dependent assets, then compatibility is ensured, but the scope and complexity of the upgrade plan increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upgrade manager segments the upgrade process into distinct phases and groups assets by their dependency relationships. Instead of presenting a single monolithic upgrade plan, the system divides upgrades into manageable segments that can be executed in a coordinated sequence, making the overall complex process more controllable and easier to manage while ensuring all dependencies are addressed
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating an upgrade plan for assets included in a virtualized computing environment includes receiving a selection of one or more target assets to receive updates. The method further includes receiving a selection of one or more upgrade packages, determining a first set of target assets that is capable of being upgraded with at least one selected upgrade package, determining a second set of target assets that depend on the first set of target assets, and generating an upgrade plan for the first set of target assets and the second set of target assets.