Information processing device and deployment destination selection system

Abstract

An information processing device (1): estimates tightness information indicating the ratio of an estimated value of the amount of power consumed in each service area (AR1, AR2) to the amount of power supplied to the service area (AR1, AR2) by a plurality of power suppliers (P1, P2); and on the basis of the tightness information for power suppliers (P1, P2) supplying power to each data center (2), selects a data center (2) to which software related to social infrastructure is to be deployed.

Description

Information Processing Apparatus and Deployment Destination Selection System

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus and a deployment destination selection system.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a data center system that adjusts power demand of each base so as to improve the renewable energy ratio across all bases.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2024-169095

[0004] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing apparatus that selects a data center to which software related to social infrastructure is to be deployed from among a plurality of data centers having computational resources, the apparatus comprising: an estimation unit that respectively estimates tightness information indicating a ratio of an estimated value of power consumed in each jurisdiction to an amount of power supplied by a plurality of power suppliers to the respective jurisdictions; and a selection unit that selects the data center to which the software is to be deployed based on the tightness information of the power supplier that supplies power to each data center.

[0005] It is a diagram showing one configuration example of a deployment destination selection system according to the present disclosure. It is a diagram showing an example of a radio access network configured by base stations included in the deployment destination selection system according to the present disclosure. It is a diagram of an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure. It is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing in the deployment destination selection system according to the present disclosure.

[0006] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. To facilitate understanding, the background and problems of the present disclosure will first be described, and then the details of the present disclosure will be described.

[0007] <Background> There are systems, such as systems related to social infrastructure, that would cause great disruption to the whole of society if they were stopped due to influences such as power supply conditions. It is preferable to deploy the software of these systems to a data center where power is stably supplied. However, when selecting a data center for software deployment, it is difficult to consider the stability of power supply to the data center from the power supplier.

[0008] The information processing device relating to this disclosure aims to provide a means for selecting a data center to deploy software to, taking into consideration the stability of the power supply to the data center.

[0009] <Overview of Information Processing Device> An overview of the information processing device 1 and the deployment destination selection system 100 related to this disclosure will be explained using Figures 1 and 2. The deployment destination selection system 100 shown in Figure 1 is a system that selects a data center from among multiple data centers 2 to which to deploy the software. "Deploying the software" includes making the system's software usable by deploying, positioning, installing, etc., the software on computing resources.

[0010] Some of the multiple data centers 2 shown in Figure 1 are located in the jurisdictional area AR1, which is supplied with electricity by power supplier P1, and receive electricity from power supplier P1. Other parts of the multiple data centers 2 are located in the jurisdictional area AR2, which is supplied with electricity by power supplier P2, and receive electricity from power supplier P2.

[0011] Electricity suppliers P1 and P2 provide a stable power supply by using green and gray energy in a balanced manner. Electricity suppliers P1 and P2 disclose the amount of electricity they supply to their respective service areas, AR1 and AR2. Green energy is energy generated using renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal, and wind power, and its supply is often unstable. Systems related to social infrastructure would cause significant disruption to society if they stopped, so it is desirable to have a stable power supply.

[0012] Multiple base stations 3 are installed in AR1, the service area of ​​power supplier P1, and AR2, the service area of ​​power supplier P2. Base stations 3 constitute a radio access network (RAN).

[0013] The deployment destination selection system 100 described herein is a technology that utilizes the computing infrastructure of the base station 3 to provide highly immediate services with low latency to users and devices around the base station 3. By deploying AI (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning technology applications at the network edge via RAN (Radio Access Network), it promotes the creation of new industries and solutions that leverage low latency and confidentiality.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, the base station 3 has a learning model 30. The learning model 30 estimates the power consumption in each cell of each base station 3 from the information within each cell of each base station 3. The input and output of information to the learning model 30 is performed, for example, by a RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller).

[0015] The information within each base station 3 cell includes, for example, whether the cell is located in a residential area or an office district, weather information including the temperature within the cell, and information regarding the number of terminals connected to each base station 3. For example, if it is a hot summer day within the cell, the use of air conditioners will increase, which may lead to higher power consumption within the cell. Also, if there are many office districts within the cell, power consumption after closing time may be lower.

[0016] Base station 3 includes a master station 3A and a slave station 3B. Master station 3A is connected to the nearby slave station 3B via the core network CN. Slave station 3B transmits the estimated power consumption results for its cell to master station 3A. Master station 3A transmits the estimated power consumption results for slave station 3B's cell and the estimated power consumption results for master station 3A's cell to the information processing device 1 via the core network CN.

[0017] The information processing device 1 shown in Figure 1 estimates the power consumption in the area AR1 under the jurisdiction of power supplier P1 and the power consumption in the area AR2 under the jurisdiction of power supplier P2, based on the estimated power consumption in the cells of multiple base stations 3 received from the master station 3A.

[0018] The information processing device 1 estimates a shortage of power, showing the ratio of the estimated power consumption within the jurisdictional area AR1 to the amount of power supplied to the jurisdictional area AR1 as published by the power supplier P1. The information processing device 1 also estimates a shortage of power, showing the ratio of the estimated power consumption within the jurisdictional area AR2 to the amount of power supplied to the jurisdictional area AR2 as published by the power supplier P2. Based on the shortage of power supplied by power suppliers P1 and others supplying power to each data center 2, the information processing device 1 evaluates the stability of the power supply to each data center 2. Based at least on the evaluation results, the information processing device 1 selects the data center to which the software will be deployed.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the information processing device 1 evaluates the stability of power supply to each data center 2 based on information about the shortage of power from each power supplier P1, and selects a data center to deploy the software based on the evaluation results. Therefore, systems that would cause significant disruption to society as a whole if they stopped due to power supply issues, such as software related to social infrastructure, can be deployed to data centers with a stable power supply.

[0020] The deployment destination selection system 100 will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example configuration of the deployment destination selection system 100 according to this disclosure. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a wireless access network configured by a base station 3 included in the deployment destination selection system 100 according to this disclosure.

[0021] Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 1 according to this disclosure. <Configuration of Information Processing Device 1>

[0022] The information processing device 1 shown in Figure 3 comprises a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, and a communication interface 14. These are electrically connected to each other via a communication bus. The processor 11 executes instructions written in a program. The processor 11 is composed of an arithmetic unit, registers, and / or peripheral circuits. The main memory 12 temporarily stores programs and data processed by programs, etc. The main memory 12 is a volatile memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data and programs and is such as a flash memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or magneto-optical disk.

[0023] The communication IF 14 is an interface (communication unit) for inputting and outputting signals for communication with other computers via a network using wired or wireless communication standards. The information processing device 1 can communicate with, for example, the core network CN of a wireless access network or the data center 2 via the communication IF 14.

[0024] The information processing device 1 acquires information about each data center 2 from each data center 2, for example, via a communication interface 14. The acquired information is stored, for example, in an auxiliary storage device 13. The information about the data centers 2 may include, for example, information about the surplus amount of computing resources, information about software that can be executed at each data center 2, and information about the operating costs of each data center 2.

[0025] Information regarding the software that can be run in data center 2 includes, for example, information about the processor type, such as whether or not it has an x86 processor or an ARM processor. Information regarding the operating costs of each data center 2 includes, for example, electricity charges, rack usage fees, network usage fees, etc.

[0026] <Information Processing in the Deployment Destination Selection System> Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the information processing flow in the deployment destination selection system 100 related to this disclosure.

[0027] In S100, the processor 11 of the information processing device 1 acquires the requirements for the software to be deployed. The information processing device 1, for example, displays an input screen on an information terminal used by the user and accepts the input of information.

[0028] The requirements for the software to be deployed include, at a minimum, whether the software to be deployed is software for a system related to social infrastructure, and the amount of surplus (or required) computing resources needed for the software deployment. The requirements for the software to be deployed may also include information such as whether the software to be deployed was developed for an x86 processor or for an ARM processor. When the information processing device 1 receives software to be deployed from a user, it may analyze the software and estimate the amount of surplus computing resources needed for the software deployment.

[0029] In S110, each base station 3 estimates the power consumption within its respective cell. Each base station 3 acquires information within its respective cell and inputs the acquired information into the learning model 30. The learning model 30 outputs the estimated power consumption within the cell at each base station 3. The estimated power consumption within the cell at each base station 3 is aggregated from the slave station 3B to the master station 3A and transmitted to the information processing device 1 via the core network CN.

[0030] In S120, the processor 11 of the information processing device 1 estimates the amount of power consumption within the service area (e.g., AR1, AR2, etc.) of each power supplier (e.g., P1, P2, etc.). The information processing device 1 receives the estimated power consumption results within the cells at each base station 3 transmitted in S110 via the communication IF 14. Based on the estimated power consumption results within the cells at each base station 3, the information processing device 1 estimates the amount of power consumption within the service area (e.g., AR1, AR2, etc.) of each power supplier (e.g., P1, P2, etc.).

[0031] In S130, the processor 11 of the information processing device 1 performs estimation processing to estimate the strain information of each power supply company (functions as an estimation unit). Power supply companies that use green energy and gray energy in a balanced manner to provide a stable power supply often publish information on the amount of electricity they supply to each jurisdictional area. For example, the information processing device 1 obtains the latest information from each power supply company regarding the amount of electricity supplied to each jurisdictional area, and statistically processes it together with past performance values ​​to estimate information on the amount of electricity supplied to each jurisdictional area. The information processing device 1 calculates the ratio of the estimated amount of electricity consumed in each jurisdictional area, estimated in S120, to the amount of electricity supplied to each jurisdictional area. This ratio indicates the stability of the power supply to the data center 2, with a lower ratio indicating higher stability.

[0032] In S140, the processor 11 of the information processing device 1 obtains information regarding the surplus amount of computing resources in each data center 2 from each data center 2.

[0033] In S150, the processor 11 of the information processing device 1 performs a selection process to select a data center to deploy the software (it functions as a selection unit). For example, the information processing device 1 narrows down the data center 2 based on the software requirements obtained in S100 and the information on the surplus amount of computing resources at each data center 2 obtained in S140. Then, the information processing device 1 selects a data center to deploy the software based on the strain information of each power supplier estimated in S130.

[0034] The following describes the process executed in S150 when the software used to select the deployment destination is software for a system related to social infrastructure. When the software used to select the deployment destination is software for a system related to social infrastructure, for example, in S100, an input is made indicating that the software used to select the deployment destination is software for a system related to social infrastructure.

[0035] Based on the software specifications obtained in S100, the information processing device 1 excludes data centers 2 from the selection candidates where the software cannot be deployed. Cases where the software cannot be deployed include, for example, when the surplus amount of computing resources in each data center 2 obtained in S140 is less than the required amount obtained in S100.

[0036] The information processing device 1 selects a data center 2 from the narrowed-down data centers 2 to deploy the software based on the strain information of each power supplier P1, etc. estimated in S130. For example, it calculates an evaluation value for the stability of power supply for each power supplier P1, etc.'s service area based on the amount of electricity supplied by each power supplier P1, etc. to its service area AR1, etc., and the ratio of the estimated amount of electricity consumed in each service area AR1, etc. to the amount of electricity supplied to each service area AR1, etc. The evaluation value increases as the amount of electricity supplied to each service area AR1, etc. increases. Also, the evaluation value increases as the ratio of the estimated amount of electricity consumed in each service area AR1, etc. to the amount of electricity supplied to each service area AR1, etc. decreases. The information processing device 1 may further include in the evaluation the proportion of green energy included in the electricity supplied by each power supplier P1, etc., the location of the data center 2, the operating costs of the data center 2, the network proximity, etc. The information processing device 1 selects a data center 2 to deploy the software from among data centers 2 whose evaluation value is above a predetermined threshold. For example, the information processing device 1 selects a data center 2 to deploy the software that has an evaluation value above a predetermined threshold and is located in the jurisdictional area AR1, etc., where the estimated amount of electricity consumed in each jurisdictional area AR1, etc., is the lowest ratio of the amount of electricity supplied by each power supplier P1, etc., to the jurisdictional area AR1, etc., is the lowest.

[0037] <Example of implementation by software> The functions of each device (hereinafter referred to as "device") that constitutes the deployment destination selection system 100 can be implemented by a program that causes a computer to function as the device, and by a program that causes a computer to function as each control block of the device.

[0038] In this case, the device 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, the functions described in each of the embodiments are realized.

[0039] 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.

[0040] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of each of the above control blocks can also be implemented by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which logic circuits functioning as each of the above control blocks are formed is also included in the scope of this disclosure. In addition, it is also possible to implement the functions of each of the above control blocks by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0041] Furthermore, each process described in the above embodiments may be performed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may operate on the control device described above, or it may operate on another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0042] <Summary> This disclosure contains at least the following aspects:

[0043] An information processing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is an information processing device that selects a data center for deploying social infrastructure software from among a plurality of data centers having computing resources, and comprises: an estimation unit that estimates the ratio of the estimated amount of electricity consumed in each jurisdiction to the amount of electricity supplied by a plurality of power supply operators to each jurisdiction, and a selection unit that selects a data center for deploying the software based on the said strain information of the power supply operators supplying electricity to each data center.

[0044] According to the above configuration, the information processing apparatus according to aspect 1 of the present disclosure selects a data center for deploying software related to social infrastructure based on tightness information from each power supplier. Software related to social infrastructure may cause great disruption to the entire society if it stops operating due to influences such as power supply conditions. By deploying software related to social infrastructure to a data center with stable power supply, a resilient social infrastructure can be constructed. Such an effect can also contribute to achieving Goal 9 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation" and other relevant goals.

[0045] The information processing apparatus according to aspect 2 of the present disclosure, according to aspect 1, includes a communication unit that communicates with the plurality of data centers, the communication unit collects information about software that can be executed in each data center from each data center, and the selection unit selects a data center to deploy the software from among data centers capable of executing the software.

[0046] According to the above configuration, the information processing apparatus according to aspect 1 of the present disclosure can deploy the software to an appropriate data center.

[0047] The deployment destination selection system according to aspect 3 of the present disclosure includes the information processing apparatus according to aspect 1 or 2, and a plurality of base stations constituting a radio access network, the information processing apparatus includes a communication unit that communicates with the plurality of base stations, the plurality of base stations estimate the amount of power consumed in each cell, the estimation unit obtains the estimated value of the amount of power consumed in the jurisdiction area of each power supplier based on the estimation result of the amount of power consumed in each cell of the plurality of base stations, and estimates the tightness information of each power supplier.

[0048] A plurality of base stations constituting a radio access network have been deployed conventionally. According to the above configuration, the power consumption consumed in each cell is estimated using the plurality of base stations constituting the radio access network, and based on the estimation result, an estimated value of the power consumption consumed in the jurisdiction area of the power supplier is obtained. By this means, the estimated value of the power consumption consumed in the jurisdiction area of the power supplier can be efficiently estimated with a small amount of capital investment.

[0049] (Additional Notes) The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means respectively disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0050] 1 Information processing apparatus 2 Data center 3 Base station 14 Communication IF (communication unit) 30 Learning model 100 Deployment destination selection system P1, P2 Power suppliers AR1, AR2 Jurisdiction areas

Claims

1. An information processing device for selecting a data center to deploy social infrastructure software from among multiple data centers having computing resources, comprising: an estimation unit that estimates the ratio of the estimated amount of electricity consumed in each jurisdiction to the amount of electricity supplied by multiple power supply operators to each jurisdiction; and a selection unit that selects a data center to deploy the software based on the aforementioned shortage information of power supply operators supplying electricity to each data center.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a communication unit that communicates with the plurality of data centers, wherein the communication unit collects information from each data center regarding software that can be executed at each data center, and the selection unit selects a data center to deploy the software from among the data centers that can execute the software.

3. A deployment destination selection system comprising an information processing device as described in claim 1 and a plurality of base stations constituting a wireless access network, wherein the information processing device includes a communication unit that communicates with the plurality of base stations, the plurality of base stations estimate the amount of power consumed in each cell, and the estimation unit obtains an estimated value of the amount of power consumed in the area under the jurisdiction of each power supply operator based on the estimation results of the amount of power consumed in each cell of the plurality of base stations, and estimates the shortage information of each power supply operator.

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