Configuration Service for Virtual Machine Fleet Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing virtual machine instance configurations is complex and difficult, especially when dealing with fleets of instances, as existing methods require customers to submit specific APIs for each instance, leading to cumbersome management and scalability challenges.
Innovation Solution
A configuration service that allows for the storage of a single configuration document linked to multiple instance identifiers, enabling consistent configuration across instances, with local agents executing plug-ins to implement configuration settings, simplifying tasks like user account creation and application deployment, and facilitating scalable management of fleets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a customer submits a particular API for each instance launched, then the instance configuration can be customized, but the management becomes difficult particularly when managing a fleet of virtual machine instances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration management by introducing local agents on each instance that independently retrieve and execute configuration instructions from a central service. This divides the monolithic management approach into distributed autonomous units, reducing overall management complexity while maintaining customization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a configuration service as an intermediary between the customer and the fleet of instances. This mediator centralizes configuration document storage and distribution, allowing customers to manage configurations centrally while agents on instances handle local execution, thereby reducing management complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional configuration methods are used for each instance, then specific configuration requirements can be met, but scalability is limited when managing fleets of instances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal configuration document format that can be applied across multiple instances simultaneously. The configuration service and agent architecture enables a single configuration document to be distributed to and executed on any number of instances, providing multi-functionality that maintains configuration accuracy while enabling fleet-wide scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having instances pre-install local agents that are ready to receive and execute configuration instructions. Configuration documents can be prepared in advance and stored centrally, allowing rapid deployment to multiple instances without manual configuration work for each instance, thus improving scalability.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual configuration is performed for each instance, then configuration details can be controlled, but administrative burden increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling instances to automatically retrieve configuration documents from the configuration service and execute them through local agents without manual intervention. This automation maintains precise configuration control through the configuration document format while dramatically reducing administrative burden by eliminating manual configuration tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration service acts as an intermediary that automates the configuration distribution process. It receives configuration documents from customers, stores them centrally, and distributes them to authorized instances via local agents, thereby maintaining configuration control while easing administrative operations through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A service is disclosed that allows configuration, management and deployment of instances. A configuration document can be stored by the service and one or more instance identifiers can be linked to the configuration document. As a result, multiple instances can be launched and configured using a single configuration document allowing for a consistent result across instances. Local agents running on the instances can execute plug-ins in order to effectuate the configuration. As a result, administrators of instances can configure, manage and easily deploy their unique instance configurations. Customers who manage their instances can scale and manage their entire fleet with repeatable configuration tasks that seamlessly integrate into their instance workflow.