Cloud resource management system, cloud resource management method, and cloud resource management program

Abstract

This system enables the efficient management of available date and time information for multiple cloud services, thereby realizing a cloud resource management system. [Solution] The system includes an information collection unit (11) that collects resource information relating to the resources of multiple cloud services to which a specific user has been granted access rights, and an information presentation unit (12) that, in response to a user requesting the presentation of resource information, presents the user with resource information, including available date and time information, for each of the multiple cloud services to which the user has been granted access rights.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cloud resource management system for managing resources of cloud services as an application execution environment or a database.

Background Art

[0002] Cloud services that provide computer resources in the form of services via computer networks such as the Internet are becoming widespread. By utilizing cloud services, resources such as servers can be launched in data centers around the world. Also, users in Japan can launch resources on cloud servers overseas as well as in the country in a short time.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a cloud security topology visualization device that visualizes the overall situation regarding the operation and security of a cloud, including configuration information such as cloud servers, virtual network equipment, and cloud firewalls, configuration diagrams, connection states, and setting values.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When developing cloud services, a test environment may be constructed in the cloud and deleted when it becomes unnecessary. In cases where multiple cloud service developments are being carried out in parallel, for example, there is a possibility that the launched test environment may be forgotten to be deleted even after it becomes unnecessary, or that the execution environment may be left unused for a long time even though it is an execution environment. Such a situation would result in wasted costs.

[0006] While it is desirable to conduct regular inventory checks, when numerous cloud services are launched across various regions, tracking their usage becomes extremely time-consuming and costly to manage.

[0007] While Patent Document 1 discloses a method for visualizing the overall situation regarding cloud operation and security, it does not disclose a method for efficiently managing the available date and time information of numerous cloud services.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention aims to realize a cloud resource management system that enables efficient management of available date and time information for multiple cloud services. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, the cloud resource management system according to the present invention is a cloud resource management system that manages resources of a cloud service as an application execution environment or database, and comprises: an information collection unit that collects resource information relating to the resources of a plurality of cloud services to which a specific user has been granted access rights; and an information presentation unit that, in response to a user requesting the presentation of said resource information, presents to the user the resource information, including available date and time information, for each of the plurality of cloud services to which the user has been granted access rights.

[0010] To solve the above problems, the cloud resource management method according to the present invention is a cloud resource management method for managing the resources of a cloud service, which is at least one of an application execution environment and a database, and comprises an information collection step of collecting resource information relating to the resources of a plurality of cloud services to which a specific user has been granted access rights, and an information presentation step of presenting the resource information, including the date and time information of availability, to the user for each of the cloud services to which the user has been granted access rights.

[0011] According to the above configuration or method, users can view the available date and time information for multiple cloud services to which they have been granted access rights, all in one place. Therefore, they can efficiently manage the costs incurred based on the available date and time information.

[0012] In the cloud resource management system according to the present invention, the information collection unit may be configured to periodically collect resource information from multiple cloud services, update a resource management table containing the collected resource information, and present the resource information to the user based on the resource management table.

[0013] With the above configuration, the resource management table is updated regularly, so when a user requests resource information, the information can be read from the resource management table and presented without having to access the system providing the cloud service at that time. Therefore, user requests can be responded to quickly.

[0014] In the cloud resource management system according to the present invention, the information collection unit may be configured to periodically collect resource information in parallel for each region where the cloud server providing the cloud service is installed.

[0015] With the above configuration, resource information is collected in parallel even if there are many regions, thus reducing the time required to collect resource information. Therefore, the latest information can be appropriately presented when a user requests resource information.

[0016] The cloud resource management system according to the present invention may further include, in the above configuration, an information collection unit that receives a change instruction for the date and time information from the user, updates the resource management table in accordance with the change instruction, and, based on the date and time information recorded in the resource management table, provides a setting change instruction to the cloud server that provides the corresponding cloud service to change the usage settings of the cloud service.

[0017] With the above configuration, users can review the available date and time information presented and, if they determine that changes are necessary, efficiently modify the available date and time settings.

[0018] The cloud resource management system according to the present invention may further include a cost presentation unit that, in the above configuration, presents to the user the difference between the cost of using the cloud service based on a specific reference date and time setting and the cost of using the cloud service based on the date and time information setting after the setting change, when the information collection unit changes the date and time information setting.

[0019] With the above configuration, it is possible to show the user the difference in cost compared to the baseline state due to a change in the available date and time settings. For example, if the range of available dates and times is narrowed, the cost savings effect can be clearly shown to the user.

[0020] In the cloud resource management system according to the present invention, in the above configuration, it further includes an access management unit that manages an access management table associating a plurality of users with cloud services to which each user is granted access rights, and the information collection unit and the information presentation unit may be configured to perform processing based on the access management table.

[0021] According to the above configuration, the information collection unit can appropriately and efficiently collect resource information based on the access management table, and the information presentation unit can also appropriately present resource information to each user based on the access management table. In addition, the access management unit can centrally manage the access management table, so that information updates and the like can be efficiently performed.

[0022] The cloud resource management program according to the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, a cloud resource management program that causes a computer to operate as each part (software element) included in the cloud resource management system to realize the cloud resource management system by a computer, and a computer-readable recording medium on which it is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, there is an effect that the management of costs generated according to available date and time information can be efficiently performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a cloud system 100 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a flowchart showing the flow of resource information collection processing. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when a user accesses the cloud resource management system 1 by a user terminal 31 and makes various processing requests. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a resource information screen. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a settings screen. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a screen displaying cost savings. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] One embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the cloud system 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the cloud system 100 includes a cloud resource management system 1 and a service provision system 2.

[0026] Service delivery system 2 is a system provided by a vendor that provides cloud services as an application execution environment or database over the internet. Service delivery system 2 can provide cloud services using servers located in multiple regions worldwide, for example. Specifically, service delivery system 2 provides cloud services using servers located in Region 1 21, Region 2 22, and Region 3 23. Although three regions are shown in Figure 1, cloud services are actually provided in many regions.

[0027] In Region 1, 21, the following services are provided: Cloud Service 1-1 211, Cloud Service 1-2 212, ...; in Region 2, 22, the following services are provided: Cloud Service 2-1 221, Cloud Service 2-2 222, ...; and in Region 3, 23, the following services are provided: Cloud Service 3-1 231, Cloud Service 3-2 232, ... The number and types of cloud services provided in each region are not limited and may be any number and type.

[0028] Examples of cloud services include, as mentioned above, cloud services that provide application execution environments and cloud services that provide databases. Examples of application execution environments include virtual servers as execution environments including virtual operating systems, and container orchestration services that manage containers that virtualize the environment for running a specified application, built on an OS. Furthermore, cloud services that provide application execution environments or databases may be set up in separate regions for use as a test environment and for use as a production environment.

[0029] Furthermore, while Figure 1 shows an example of a service delivery system 2 provided by a single vendor, multiple service delivery systems may be provided by multiple vendors. That is, each of the multiple service delivery systems may have one or more regions, and one or more cloud services may be provided in each region. In this case, it becomes possible to manage cloud services provided by multiple different vendors collectively.

[0030] The cloud resource management system 1 manages the resources of the cloud services provided by the service provision system 2. The cloud resource management system 1 is connected via a network to user terminals 31 used by users of the cloud services and to administrator terminals 32 used by administrators who manage the use of the cloud services. The cloud resource management system 1 includes an information collection unit 11, an information presentation unit 12, an access management unit 13, a configuration change unit 14, a cost presentation unit 15, and a storage unit 16.

[0031] The information collection unit 11 collects resource information regarding the resources provided to each user in relation to the cloud services provided by the service provision system 2. The information collection unit 11 generates collection programs corresponding to each region, and these collection programs collect resource information. In the example shown in Figure 1, a first collection program 111 corresponding to the first region 21, a second collection program 112 corresponding to the second region 22, and a third collection program 113 corresponding to the third region 23 are generated. The number of collection programs generated is not limited, and one collection program may collect resource information from multiple regions. The information collection unit 11 registers the collected resource information in the resource management table 161 in the storage unit 16. In addition to resource information, the collection programs also collect each user's usage history and record it in the usage history information 163 in the storage unit 16. Details of resource information collection by the information collection unit 11 will be described later.

[0032] The information presentation unit 12 presents resource information, including available date and time information, to a user who requests resource information, for each of the multiple cloud services to which the user has been granted access rights. Specifically, the information presentation unit 12 reads and provides resource information corresponding to the user from the resource management table 161 to the user who accessed the system via the user terminal 31. Details of this provision of resource information will be described later.

[0033] The access management unit 13 manages an access management table 162 that associates multiple users with the cloud services to which each user is granted access rights. Furthermore, the access management unit 13 modifies the contents of the access management table 162 based on instructions entered by the administrator via the administrator terminal 32. In other words, the administrator can control the access rights granted to each user through the access management table 162.

[0034] The configuration change unit 14 modifies the settings related to the use of cloud services provided by the service provision system 2. More specifically, the configuration change unit 14 changes the state of the cloud services on the service provision system 2 to enable them when the set date and time arrives, based on the available date and time information set for each cloud service in the resource management table 161. Details of the configuration changes will be described later. The configuration change unit 14 may also issue instructions to the service provision system 2 to change the settings for the date and time on which the cloud services can be used, based on instructions from the user via the user terminal 31.

[0035] When the setting change unit 14 changes the date and time settings for when the cloud service can be used, the cost presentation unit 15 presents the user with the cost savings, which is the difference between the cost of using the cloud service based on a specific reference date and time setting and the cost of using the cloud service based on the date and time setting after the setting change. More specifically, the cost presentation unit 15 presents the cost savings in graph format to the user terminal 31 based on a request from the user via the user terminal 31. At this time, the cost presentation unit 15 calculates the cost savings for a predetermined period in the past based on the user's usage history information 163 stored in the storage unit 16. Note that the user's usage history may be obtained directly from the service provision system 2. Details of the presentation of cost savings will be described later.

[0036] The cloud resource management system 1 configured as described above may be built using a cloud service, or it may be built by setting up a separate server. If built using a cloud service, it may be built using a virtual server of the cloud service, or it may be built using a container of the cloud service. In addition, the storage unit 16 may be built using a database of the cloud service.

[0037] When a user uses a cloud service to which they have been granted access rights, they access the service provision system 2 using their user terminal 31, and user authentication is performed in the service provision system 2 before they can use the service.

[0038] (Details of the resource information collection process) Next, we will explain the details of the resource information collection process by the information collection unit 11. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the resource information collection process. First, in step 1 (hereinafter referred to as S1), it is determined whether or not it is a regularly scheduled execution time. That is, the resource information collection process is executed regularly, for example, every 15 minutes. The timing of the regularly scheduled execution is not limited and is set as appropriate according to the user's needs and the load on the service provision system 2.

[0039] Next, in S2, the information gathering unit 11 checks the list of regions provided by the service provision system 2. The regions are changed as needed in accordance with fluctuations in the number of cloud services and users provided by the service provision system 2. In other words, the latest region information can be obtained at the time of periodic execution, and the subsequent resource information collection process can be executed.

[0040] Next, in S3, the information collection unit 11 generates collection programs corresponding to each of the regions acquired in S2. That is, collection programs are generated in equal numbers to the number of regions provided by the service provision system 2. As mentioned above, the generated collection programs may include collection programs that correspond to multiple regions with a single collection program, and multiple collection programs may be assigned to a single region. Furthermore, the mapping between collection programs and regions may be changeable by the administrator.

[0041] Next, in S4, the generated collection programs access the cloud servers within their respective assigned regions in parallel to collect resource information. This allows for the collection of resource information based on the latest regional information. The collected resource information is recorded in resource management table 161.

[0042] According to the process described above, resource information is collected in parallel even if there are many regions, thus reducing the time required to collect resource information. Therefore, the latest information can be appropriately provided when a user requests resource information. In addition, since the resource management table 161 is updated periodically, when a user requests resource information, it is sufficient to read the information from the resource management table 161 and provide it without accessing the service provision system 2 at that time. Therefore, requests from users can be responded to quickly.

[0043] As mentioned above, usage history information may also be collected along with resource information. The collected usage history information is recorded in the storage unit 16 as usage history information 163.

[0044] Next, in S5, the information collection unit 11 checks whether the acquisition of resource information from all regions has been completed by each collection program. If the answer in S5 is No, i.e., the acquisition of resource information has not been completed, the processing in S4 continues. If the answer in S5 is Yes, i.e., the acquisition of resource information has been completed, the resource information collection process is terminated.

[0045] As described above, the collection program that collects resource information from multiple cloud services is centrally managed by the information collection unit 11 of the cloud resource management system 1. Therefore, compared to, for example, setting up a collection program for each individual cloud service, the installation process of the collection program and the handling of version upgrades can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, deployment work for setting up a collection program for each individual cloud service is unnecessary. In addition, it is possible to collect resource information from all over the world, and the available region information is updated as it progresses, so even if the number of regions increases, a corresponding collection program is automatically generated, eliminating the need for maintenance.

[0046] (Details of resource information provision process, configuration change process, and cost savings provision process) Next, the process when a user accesses the cloud resource management system 1 via the user terminal 31 and makes various processing requests will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 3. First, in S11, the information presentation unit 12 determines whether or not it has received a request from the user for the presentation of resource information. A request for the presentation of resource information is made, for example, by selecting from the menu screen displayed when accessing the cloud resource management system 1.

[0047] If the user responds with Yes in S11, meaning they have requested resource information, then in S12, the information presentation unit 12 performs user authentication. User authentication is performed, for example, by entering an ID and password.

[0048] Next, in S13, the information presentation unit 12 reads resource information corresponding to the user identified by user authentication from the resource management table 161. Here, the information presentation unit 12 checks, based on the access management table 162, that the resource information pertains to the cloud service to which the user is permitted to access. If there are no problems, the resource information screen is displayed in S14. In other words, the system displays resource information for the cloud service to which the user identified by user authentication has been granted access by referring to the access management table 162.

[0049] Figure 4 shows an example of the resource information screen. As shown in the figure, the resource information screen displays resource information for all cloud services to which the user has been granted access rights. The resource information includes system information, service type information, region information, resource name information, status information, start time information, stop time information, and days of the week when the service is down all day.

[0050] System information refers to information indicating the type of service provider system that provides the relevant cloud service. Service type information refers to information such as whether the relevant cloud service is a cloud service as a virtual server or a cloud service as a database.

[0051] Region information refers to the region to which the cloud server providing the relevant cloud service belongs; in the example shown in the diagram, "Tokyo" and "Osaka" are indicated. Resource name information indicates specific information that identifies the relevant cloud service; if the service type is a virtual server, the name and instance ID are shown, and if the service type is a database, the DB identifier is shown. Status information indicates whether the relevant cloud service is enabled (i.e., available) or disabled (i.e., unavailable).

[0052] The startup time information indicates the time when the cloud service becomes available, and the shutdown time information indicates the time when the cloud service becomes unavailable. In other words, the period between the startup time and the shutdown time is the available time for the cloud service. The day of the week information for full-day shutdown indicates the days of the week when the cloud service is shut down all day. If, for example, Saturday and Sunday are set as the days of the week for full-day shutdown, then the cloud service will be unavailable at all times on Saturdays and Sundays.

[0053] By displaying resource information as described above, users can easily check the availability information for all cloud services to which they have been granted permissions. Cloud services typically have a pricing structure that charges based on the available time range. In other words, the above display allows users to efficiently manage costs incurred based on the available time information. For example, even if a cloud service was used temporarily but then left unused, the display of resource information for that cloud service allows the user to become aware of its existence. Therefore, users can eliminate unnecessary costs by taking action such as stopping or deleting such cloud services. Furthermore, by utilizing status information, users can confirm that there are no missing settings on a list screen like the one shown in Figure 4. Specifically, for example, the status can be set to "Enabled," "Disabled," or "Not Set." In this case, by narrowing the display to items that are not set, it becomes possible to see a list of cloud services for which the status has not been set. This enables more efficient resource management.

[0054] In Figure 4, a dropdown box for selecting an environment and an input field for search terms are provided, allowing users to narrow down the displayed cloud services. This makes it possible to organize and display information as needed, especially when there are a large number of cloud services to which access permissions have been granted.

[0055] Returning to the flowchart in Figure 3, the next step in S15 is to confirm whether or not a setting change instruction has been issued. As shown in Figure 4, a "Display Settings Screen" button is displayed corresponding to each cloud service. If "Yes" is selected (clicked) in S15, then in S16, the setting change screen shown in Figure 5 is displayed under the control of the setting change unit 14.

[0056] The settings change screen displays information about the resource to be changed and the details of the changes. The information about the resource to be changed identifies the cloud service to which the settings change will be made and includes information about the system, information about the type of service, region information, and resource name information. As for the details of the changes, information showing the current settings and information showing the changed settings are displayed for status information, startup time information, shutdown time information, and information about the days of the week when the service will be shut down all day. The information field showing the changed settings can be changed by the user, and when the user makes changes as appropriate and selects (clicks) the "Change Settings" button, the setting change instruction is received by the information display unit 12 (S17). When the information display unit 12 receives the setting change instruction, it updates the resource management table 161 based on its contents.

[0057] Next, in S18, it is confirmed whether a request for a presentation of cost savings has been made. A request for a presentation of cost savings can be made, for example, by selecting it from the menu screen displayed when accessing the cloud resource management system 1. Alternatively, a button for accepting the display of cost savings may be displayed on the resource information screen shown in Figure 4, and a request for a presentation of cost savings may be made by selecting (clicking) this button.

[0058] If the answer to S18 is "Yes," that is, if a request for cost savings is made, the cost presentation unit 15 controls the display of the cost savings screen as shown in Figure 6 (S19).

[0059] The cost savings display screen shown in Figure 6 shows monthly cost savings for a specified period in the past in graph format. The cost savings represent the total difference between the cost of using cloud services based on a specific reference date and time setting and the cost of using cloud services based on the date and time information setting after the setting change, for all cloud services to which the user has access rights. The specific reference date and time setting is, for example, a setting that makes the service available at all times and on all days of the week.

[0060] The above setting change instruction will restrict the available dates and times for a specific cloud service, thereby reducing the cost of using the cloud service, and this will be displayed as cost savings. Therefore, the difference in cost between the default state and the changed available date and time settings can be presented to the user. For example, if the range of available dates and times is narrowed, the cost savings effect can be clearly presented to the user.

[0061] In the example shown in Figure 6, cost savings are displayed in different colors for each type of service (virtual server, database), but this is not the only option. For example, it may be possible to display cost savings in different colors for each type of environment or region. It may also be possible to display cost savings for specific cloud services.

[0062] [Examples of implementation using software] The functions of the cloud resource management system 1 (hereinafter referred to as "the system") are programs that cause a computer to function as the system, and these functions can be realized by programs that cause a computer to function as each control block of the system.

[0063] In this case, the system includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., memory) as hardware for executing the program. By executing the program using this control device and storage device, each of the functions described in the above embodiment is realized.

[0064] The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, not temporary ones. These recording media may or may not be provided by the above device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the above device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1. Cloud Resource Management System 2. Service Delivery System 11. Information Gathering Department 12 Information presentation section 13. Access Management Department 14. Settings Change Section 15. Cost Presentation Section 16 Memory section 21 Region 1 22 Region 2 23 Region 3 31 User terminals 32 Administrator terminal 100 Cloud Systems 111 First Collection Program 112 Second Collection Program 113 Third Collection Program 161 Resource Management Table 162 Access Management Table 163 Usage History Information 211, 212, 221, 222, 231, 232 Cloud Services

Claims

1. A cloud resource management system for managing resources of a cloud service as an application execution environment or database, An information gathering unit that collects resource information about resources of multiple cloud services to which a specific user has been granted access rights, An information presentation unit presents to a user who requests the presentation of the aforementioned resource information, for each of the multiple cloud services to which the user has been granted access rights, the resource information including available date and time information, A cloud resource management system equipped with [features / equipment].

2. The information collection unit periodically collects the resource information of multiple cloud services and updates the resource management table containing the collected resource information. The cloud resource management system according to claim 1, wherein the information presentation unit presents the resource information to the user based on the resource management table.

3. The cloud resource management system according to claim 2, wherein the information collection unit periodically collects the resource information in parallel for each region where the cloud server providing the cloud service is installed.

4. The information collection unit receives a change instruction for the date and time information from the user, and updates the resource management table in accordance with the change instruction. The cloud resource management system according to claim 2, further comprising a configuration change unit that instructs a cloud server providing the corresponding cloud service to change the usage settings of the cloud service based on the date and time information recorded in the resource management table.

5. The cloud resource management system according to claim 4, further comprising a cost presentation unit that, when the setting of the date and time information is changed by the information collection unit, presents to the user the difference between the usage cost of the cloud service based on a specific reference date and time setting and the usage cost of the cloud service based on the date and time information setting after the setting change.

6. It further includes an access management unit that manages an access management table that associates multiple users with the cloud services to which each user is granted access rights. The cloud resource management system according to claim 1, wherein the information collection unit and the information presentation unit perform processing based on the access management table.

7. A cloud resource management method for managing the resources of a cloud service, which includes at least one of an application execution environment and a database. An information gathering step to collect resource information about resources of multiple cloud services to which a specific user has been granted access permissions, An information presentation step in which, with respect to each of the cloud services to which the user has been granted access rights, the resource information including available date and time information is presented to the user, A cloud resource management method having the following characteristics.

8. A cloud resource management program for causing a computer to function as a cloud resource management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the parts of the computer functions as a cloud resource management program.

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