Deployable Zone Template Automation for System Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customizing software and operating environments is a time-consuming and manual process, requiring efficient methods to create deployable zone templates that include zonepath datasets and application images, along with auxiliary data and wrapper scripts for streamlined deployment.
Innovation Solution
A method for creating a deployable zone template involves receiving user instructions, creating zonepath and application image files, collecting auxiliary zone data, and combining these with an executable wrapper script to form an archive file, facilitating the deployment of customized zones across different environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual customization process is used, then flexibility and control are improved, but time consumption and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates deployable zone templates that capture the complete state of a source zone including ZPDS, application images, auxiliary zone data, and wrapper scripts. These templates serve as reusable copies that can be deployed across multiple targets without manual recreation, eliminating repetitive customization work while preserving the original configuration intent
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary packaging of all zone components (ZPDS, application images, auxiliary data, wrapper scripts) into a complete deployable template before deployment. This pre-prepared template includes all necessary configuration and dependency information, allowing rapid deployment without time-consuming manual setup at the target system
2Reliability
If complete zone packaging is performed, then deployment consistency is improved, but package size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the zone package into distinct, well-defined components: ZPDS (zonepath dataset), application images, auxiliary zone data (dependencies and parameters), and wrapper scripts. Each component serves a specific function and is packaged separately, making the overall complex structure manageable through clear modular organization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges all essential zone components (ZPDS, application images, auxiliary data, wrapper scripts) into a single integrated deployable zone template. This unified package ensures that all dependencies and configuration elements are transported together, guaranteeing deployment consistency across different target systems without requiring separate manual configuration
3Productivity
If automation is implemented, then time efficiency is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service deployment where the deployable zone template contains all necessary information and executable wrapper scripts that automatically guide the deployment process. The template is self-contained with embedded metadata about dependencies and configuration parameters, allowing the deployment mechanism to automatically resolve and configure the zone without requiring complex external automation orchestration
Data Source
AI summary
A method for creating a deployable zone template of a source zone, involving receiving, from the user an instruction to create the deployable zone template of a source zone including a zonepath dataset (ZPDS) and an application image (AI), where the ZPDS is a hierarchy of file systems in which an operating system image of the source zone is installed, creating a zonepath image file of the ZPDS, creating an application image file of the AI, collecting auxiliary zone data describing a dependency of the source zone and configuration a parameter of the source zone, creating an archive file including the zonepath image file, the application image file, and the auxiliary zone data, and combining the archive file and an executable wrapper script to obtain the deployable zone template.