Application Scheduler for Dynamic Server Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for managing computer applications across multiple servers suffer from suboptimal resource utilization and require manual management, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational costs due to static resource allocation and lack of dynamic response to load conditions.

Innovation Solution

An application scheduler that receives policies and usage information to dynamically manage application instances across servers, allowing for activation, deactivation, and migration based on resource availability and load conditions, thereby optimizing server utilization and resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If applications continue to run on servers at idle level, then application availability is maintained, but server resource utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication availabilityVSAvoidserver resource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts application instances between active and inactive states based on real-time load conditions. The application scheduler continuously monitors server load and automatically activates or deactivates application instances to match actual demand, transforming static resource allocation into dynamic adaptation that optimizes both availability and utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational state parameter of application instances from fixed to variable. By monitoring load parameters and automatically adjusting the active/inactive state of applications, the system optimizes resource utilization while maintaining availability through policy-based dynamic management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If manual management of applications is performed, then administrative control is maintained, but operational efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadministrative controlVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The application scheduler enables self-service management where the system automatically monitors its own state and executes management actions without human intervention. Administrators define policies, and the scheduler autonomously executes activation, deactivation, and migration actions based on real-time conditions, eliminating manual monitoring and control tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements closed-loop feedback where the scheduler continuously monitors application and server status, compares it against defined policies, and automatically executes corrective actions. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual monitoring while maintaining administrative control through policy-based automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If static assignment of applications to servers is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to load conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to load conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static to dynamic application-to-server assignment through automated scheduling. The application scheduler continuously adapts assignments based on real-time load conditions, automatically activating applications on underloaded servers and deactivating them on overloaded servers, providing flexibility without complex manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The application scheduler acts as an intermediary layer between administrators and the application-server infrastructure. It handles the complexity of dynamic assignment and load balancing automatically, presenting a simple policy-based interface to administrators while managing the adaptability to load conditions through automated execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If constant monitoring of applications is performed, then problem detection is improved, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproblem detectionVSAvoidoperational costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The application scheduler performs self-monitoring and self-diagnosis, automatically detecting load conditions and policy violations without requiring external monitoring systems or human intervention. The scheduler continuously tracks application status, server load, and policy compliance, executing corrective actions autonomously to maintain reliability while eliminating monitoring costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7328259B2Systems and methods for policy-based application management

Publication Date: 2008.02.05 ARCTERA US LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for managing a plurality of applications comprising application instances running on a plurality of computer servers. A system for managing application includes an application scheduler. The application scheduler receives at least one policy for managing the applications over the computer servers. The application scheduler also receives usage information indicating performance of the applications and the computer servers. The application scheduler then applies the at least one policy to the usage information to determine whether policy violations exist. The application scheduler then determines and executes a modification action of the applications in response to the policy violation.