Automatic discovery library service for multiple clouds

Abstract

An information handling system may include: at least one processor; and a memory. The information handling system may be configured to implement a library service configured to provide a provisioning payload to other information handling systems over a network; and transmitting a multicast domain name service (mDNS) broadcast via the network to provide an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the library service to the other information handling systems.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to information processing systems, and more particularly to an automatically discoverable library service for configuring information processing systems for multi-cloud payload services. Background Technology

[0002] As the value and use of information continue to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store it. One option available to users is an information processing system. Information processing systems typically process, compile, store, and / or communicate information or data for business, personal, or other purposes, allowing users to leverage the value of information. Because technologies and information processing needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information processing systems may also vary regarding: what information is processed, how it is processed, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently it can be processed, stored, or communicated. Variations in information processing systems allow them to be general-purpose or configured for specific users or uses (such as financial transaction processing, airline ticketing, enterprise data storage, or global communications). Furthermore, information processing systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that can be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

[0003] Hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) is an IT framework that combines storage, compute, and networking into a single system in an attempt to reduce data center complexity and improve scalability. A hyperconverged platform may include hypervisors for virtualized compute, software-defined storage, and virtualized networking, and these typically run on standard off-the-shelf servers. One type of HCI solution is Dell EMC VxRail. TM Systems. Examples of HCI systems can be found in various environments (e.g., HCI management systems, such as...). ESXi TM This refers to an environment (or any other HCI management system) that operates within. Some examples of HCI systems include software-defined storage (SDS) cluster systems (e.g., SDS cluster systems such as...). vSAN TM (System, or any other SDS cluster system) operation.

[0004] In the context of HCI (and other contexts), information processing systems may execute virtual machines (VMs) for a variety of purposes. A VM may typically include any executable program or aggregate of executable programs configured to run a guest operating system on a hypervisor or host operating system to manage and / or control the allocation and use of hardware resources (such as memory, central processing unit time, disk space, and input / output devices) through or in conjunction with the hypervisor / host operating system, and to provide an interface between such hardware resources and applications hosted by the guest operating system.

[0005] In multi-cloud implementations, on-premises HCI systems can interface with more than one cloud platform. For example, a cloud platform manager can be used to install a specific cloud OS onto an HCI cluster in preparation for its integration with a specific cloud platform (e.g., ...). AWS Azure Use together with cloud platforms, etc.

[0006] When provisioning (or reproducing using upgrade packages) HCI nodes or clusters, local repositories can be used to provision payload services. For example, payloads may include operating system images, driver update bundles, firmware update bundles, application binaries, etc. However, in a multi-cloud environment, setting up a new repository service for each cloud stack requires significant effort. A data center may already have a repository service set up for one cloud stack, but a new repository service needs to be created, configured, and maintained for each new cloud stack that must be supported.

[0007] The embodiments disclosed herein provide a library service that enables automatic discovery functionality, which can be based on the multicast Domain Name System (mDNS) protocol. mDNS provides the ability to perform DNS-like operations on a link-local network in the absence of a regular unicast DNS server. Service registration and query protocols for the library service can be defined based on the mDNS protocol.

[0008] This automated discovery library service enables "zero-touch" multi-cloud stack provisioning and upgrades without the need for additional configuration by on-site administrators.

[0009] It should be noted that the discussion of the technology in the Background section of this disclosure does not constitute an admission of the state of the prior art. No such admission is made herein unless it is clearly and explicitly stated as such. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Based on the teachings of this disclosure, the disadvantages and problems associated with multi-cloud provisioning of information processing systems can be reduced or eliminated.

[0011] According to embodiments of this disclosure, an information processing system may include: at least one processor; and a memory. The information processing system may be configured to: implement a library service, the library service being configured to provide a provisioning payload to other information processing systems via a network; and transmit Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of the library service to the other information processing systems via the network.

[0012] According to these and other embodiments of this disclosure, a method may include: an information processing system implementing a library service, the library service being configured to provide provisioning payloads to other information processing systems via a network; and the information processing system transmitting a multicast Domain Name Service (mDNS) broadcast via the network to provide the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the library service to the other information processing systems.

[0013] According to these and other embodiments of this disclosure, an article of manufacture may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions thereon, the computer-executable instructions being executable by an information processing system to: implement a library service configured to provide a provisioning payload to other information processing systems via a network; and transmit an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the library service to the other information processing systems via a multicast Domain Name Service (mDNS) broadcast over the network.

[0014] The technical advantages of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the accompanying drawings, specification, and claims included herein. The objectives and advantages of the embodiments will be realized and achieved, at least by means of the elements, features, and combinations specifically pointed out in the claims.

[0015] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are both illustrative and explanatory, and not limiting of the claims set forth in this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0016] A more complete understanding of the embodiments and advantages of the present invention can be obtained by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like features, and in the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 A block diagram of an example information processing system according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown; and

[0018] Figure 2 An example architecture based on an implementation according to this disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0019] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2To best understand the preferred embodiments and their advantages, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same and corresponding parts.

[0020] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "information processing system" can include any tool or set of tools capable of operating to calculate, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, initiate, switch, store, display, exhibit, detect, record, reproduce, dispose of, or utilize information, intelligence, or data of any form for commercial, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information processing system can be a personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a consumer electronics device, a network storage device, or any other suitable device, and can vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. An information processing system can include memory, one or more processing resources, such as a central processing unit ("CPU") or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of an information processing system can include one or more storage devices, one or more communication ports for communicating with external devices, and various input / output ("I / O") devices (such as a keyboard, mouse, and video display). An information processing system may also include one or more buses capable of operating to transmit communication between various hardware components.

[0021] For the purposes of this disclosure, when two or more elements are referred to as being “coupled” to each other, such a term indicates that the two or more elements are communicating electronically or mechanically, as applicable, whether they are directly or indirectly connected, with or without intervening elements.

[0022] When two or more components are referred to as “coupleable” to each other, such a term indicates that they are capable of being coupled together.

[0023] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "computer-readable medium" (e.g., temporary or non-temporary computer-readable medium) may include any tool or set of tools that can retain data and / or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable media may include, but is not limited to: storage media such as direct access storage devices (e.g., hard disk drives or floppy disks), sequential access storage devices (e.g., magnetic tape drives), optical discs, CD-ROMs, DVDs, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and / or flash memory; communication media such as wires, optical fibers, microwaves, radio waves, and other electromagnetic and / or optical carrier waves; and / or any combination of the foregoing.

[0024] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "information processing resource" may be used broadly to refer to any component system, apparatus or device of an information processing system, including but not limited to processors, service processors, basic input / output systems, buses, memory, I / O devices and / or interfaces, storage resources, network interfaces, motherboards and / or any other components and / or elements of the information processing system.

[0025] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "management controller" may broadly refer to an information processing system that provides management functionality (typically out-of-band management functionality) to one or more other information processing systems. In some embodiments, the management controller may be a service processor, a baseboard management controller (BMC), a chassis management controller (CMC), or a remote access controller (e.g., a Dell Remote Access Controller (DRAC) or an integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC)) (or may be an integral part thereof).

[0026] Figure 1 A block diagram of an exemplary information processing system 102 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In some embodiments, the information processing system 102 may include a server chassis configured to house multiple servers or "blades". In other embodiments, the information processing system 102 may include a personal computer (e.g., a desktop computer, laptop computer, mobile computer, and / or notebook computer). In still other embodiments, the information processing system 102 may include a storage rack configured to house multiple physical disk drives and / or other computer-readable media for storing data (which may generally be referred to as "physical storage resources"). Figure 1 As shown, the information processing system 102 may include a processor 103, a memory 104 communicatively coupled to the processor 103, a BIOS 105 (e.g., UEFI BIOS) communicatively coupled to the processor 103, a network interface 108 communicatively coupled to the processor 103, and a management controller 112 communicatively coupled to the processor 103.

[0027] In operation, processor 103, memory 104, BIOS 105, and network interface 108 may constitute at least a part of the host system 98 of information processing system 102. In addition to the elements explicitly shown and described, information processing system 102 may also include one or more other information processing resources.

[0028] Processor 103 may include any system, apparatus, or device configured to interpret and / or execute program instructions and / or process data, and may include, but is not limited to, microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any other digital or analog circuit configured to interpret and / or execute program instructions and / or process data. In some embodiments, processor 103 may interpret and / or execute program instructions and / or process data stored in memory 104 and / or another component of information processing system 102.

[0029] Memory 104 is communicatively coupled to processor 103 and may include any system, apparatus, or device (e.g., computer-readable medium) configured to retain program instructions and / or data for a period of time. Memory 104 may include RAM, EEPROM, PCMCIA card, flash memory, magnetic storage device, opto-magnetic storage device, or any suitable choice and / or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retains data after power to information processing system 102 is cut off.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, an operating system 106 may be stored on memory 104. Operating system 106 may include any program (or a collection of programs with executable instructions) configured to manage and / or control the allocation and use of hardware resources (such as memory, processor time, disk space, and input / output devices) and provide an interface between such hardware resources and applications hosted by operating system 106. Additionally, operating system 106 may include all or part of a network stack for network communication via a network interface (e.g., network interface 108 for communication over a data network). Although operating system 106 in Figure 1 The operating system 106 is shown as being stored in memory 104, but in some embodiments, the operating system 106 may be stored in a storage medium accessible to the processor 103, and active portions of the operating system 106 may be transferred from such storage medium to memory 104 for execution by the processor 103.

[0031] Network interface 108 may include one or more suitable systems, devices, or apparatuses capable of operating as an interface between information processing system 102 and one or more other information processing systems via an in-band network. Network interface 108 enables information processing system 102 to communicate using any suitable transport protocol and / or standard. In these and other embodiments, network interface 108 may include a network interface card or “NIC”. In these and other embodiments, network interface 108 may be enabled as a motherboard local area network (LAN) (LOM) card.

[0032] The management controller 112 can be configured to provide management functions for managing the information processing system 102. This management can be performed by the management controller 112 even when the information processing system 102 and / or the host system 98 are powered off or powered to a standby state. The management controller 112 may include a processor 113, memory, and a network interface 118 that is separate from and physically isolated from the network interface 108.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the processor 113 of the management controller 112 is communicatively coupled to the processor 103. This coupling can be made via a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a System Management Bus (SMBus), and / or one or more other communication channels.

[0034] Network interface 118 may be coupled to a management network, which may be separate from and physically isolated from the data network, as shown. Network interface 118 of management controller 112 may include any suitable system, device, or apparatus capable of operating via an out-of-band management network as an interface between management controller 112 and one or more other information processing systems. Network interface 118 enables management controller 112 to communicate using any suitable transport protocol and / or standard. In these and other embodiments, network interface 118 may include a network interface card or “NIC”. Network interface 118 may be a device of the same type as network interface 108, or in other embodiments, it may be a different type of device.

[0035] Information processing system 102 can implement mDNS-based library services to serve payloads for provisioning other information processing systems in a multi-cloud environment. The library service can be implemented as a cloud-native service, supporting different protocols for downloading payloads and metadata (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, container image registry, etc.).

[0036] In some implementations, the library service may be connected to a management network, and it may use its domain name (e.g., a local name such as "depotservice.local", or a predefined pattern such as "...") <prefix>The mDNS broadcast packet ("_depot.local") is broadcast along with its IP address. Any other service on the management network can listen for mDNS broadcast packets, records of the repository service, and intersect with the repository service when needed.

[0037] This implementation, which utilizes an out-of-band management network, reduces network impact by separating this workflow from the data network, ensuring that mDNS broadcasts do not affect the business network. However, in other implementations, a standard data network can be used instead of an out-of-band management network.

[0038] Now go to Figure 2 The diagram illustrates an example architecture. As shown, the Auto Discovery Library service can be deployed in a data center by running on an existing cloud stack cluster 202 (e.g., within a VM on an existing HCI cluster).

[0039] When the new bare-metal server 204 is powered on and connected to the management network, the boot service included in its initial factory configuration can use the mDNS protocol to query the management network for the domain name pattern of the library service to obtain the IP address of the library service.

[0040] Once the library service's IP address is determined, the bootstrapping service can directly contact the library service to download the necessary metadata and payload data in order to configure the new bare-metal server.

[0041] Therefore, the implementation allows for the provisioning of new bare-metal servers to the desired cloud stack in a "zero-touch" manner without the need for support personnel intervention, as library services can be automatically discovered.

[0042] This disclosure covers all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the exemplary embodiments herein that will be understood by those skilled in the art. Similarly, where appropriate, the appended claims cover all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the exemplary embodiments herein that will be understood by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, references in the appended claims to a device, system, or component adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, or operable to perform a particular function cover that device, system, or component, whether or not it or the particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, provided that the device, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable of, configured, enabled, operable, or operable.

[0043] Furthermore, the explicit intention in stating in the appended claims that a structure is "configured to" or "operable to" perform one or more tasks is not to invoke 35 U.S.SC §112(f) on that claim element. Therefore, none of the claims in this filed application are intended to be interpreted as having a component plus a functional element. If the applicant wishes to invoke §112(f) during the period of suit, the applicant will use the structure "component for [performing a function]" to state the claim element.

[0044] All examples and conditional language presented herein are intended for educational purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventors to advance the art, and are to be construed as not being limited to such specific examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.< / prefix>

Claims

1. An information processing system, comprising: At least one processor; as well as Memory; The information processing system is configured as follows: Implement a library service, which is configured to provide provisioning payloads to other information processing systems over a network; and The Internet Protocol (IP) address of the library service is broadcast via the network to other information processing systems.

2. The information processing system as described in claim 1, wherein the information processing system is a hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) cluster.

3. The information processing system as described in claim 1, wherein the network is an out-of-band management network.

4. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein the configuration payload includes a payload for the initial setup of a new other information processing system.

5. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein the configuration payload includes a payload for upgrading components of other existing information processing systems.

6. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein the configured payload includes cloud payloads for multiple cloud systems.

7. A method comprising: The information processing system implements a library service, which is configured to provide provisioning payloads to other information processing systems via a network; as well as The information processing system broadcasts the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the library service to the other information processing systems via the network transmission multicast domain name service (mDNS).

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the information processing system is a hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) cluster.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the network is an out-of-band management network.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the configuration payload includes a payload for the initial setup of a new, other information processing system.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the provisioning payload includes a payload for upgrading components of existing other information processing systems.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the provisioning payload includes cloud payloads for multiple cloud systems.

13. An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions thereon, the computer-executable instructions being executable by an information processing system for: Implement a library service, which is configured to provide provisioning payloads to other information processing systems over a network; and The Internet Protocol (IP) address of the library service is broadcast via the network to other information processing systems.

14. The article of manufacture as claimed in claim 13, wherein the information processing system is a hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) cluster.

15. The article of manufacture as claimed in claim 13, wherein the network is an out-of-band management network.

16. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein the configuration payload includes a payload for the initial setup of a new, other information processing system.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein the provisioning payload includes a payload for upgrading components of existing other information processing systems.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein the provisioning payload includes a cloud payload for multiple cloud systems.

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