Automated Topology Formation in Dynamic Distributed Grids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control and management models for dynamic distributed environments, such as grid computing, face challenges in scalability and resilience due to the limitations of centralized and hierarchical models, particularly in dynamic environments where entities frequently join or leave, leading to difficulties in maintaining balanced structures and potential system disruptions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an automated topology formation method using a master node that configures an acyclic graph structure, allowing each entity to receive control information from multiple parent nodes, dynamically selecting parent nodes and adapting the topology based on predefined policies, enabling on-line changes and resilient information propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a centralized control model is used, then control information can be propagated efficiently, but the system becomes unscaleable and single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the centralized control into multiple distributed master nodes, each managing a portion of the topology. This segmentation allows the control function to be replicated across multiple nodes, eliminating the single point of failure while maintaining efficient propagation through local master nodes that manage their respective topology segments independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate master nodes that act as mediators between the topology management function and individual nodes. These intermediary master nodes receive topology information, process it according to policies, and distribute it to appropriate nodes, enabling efficient controlled propagation without requiring a single centralized authority.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a hierarchical control model is used, then the system becomes more flexible for large collectives, but maintenance of balanced structure becomes difficult in dynamic environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic topology management where the hierarchical structure is not fixed but continuously adapted. Master nodes dynamically adjust the topology structure in response to node join/leave events, policy changes, and load conditions. This dynamic adaptation maintains balance automatically without requiring manual intervention or complex re-architecting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where master nodes continuously monitor topology state, node status, and policy compliance. Based on this feedback, master nodes automatically adjust the hierarchical structure to maintain balance and resilience, eliminating the need for complex manual maintenance while adapting to dynamic environmental changes.
3Quantity of substance
If nodes are added to increase collective size, then system capacity increases, but some nodes must control increasingly larger numbers of entities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control function by introducing multiple master nodes, each responsible for managing a specific segment of the topology. This segmentation distributes the control burden across multiple nodes rather than concentrating it on single nodes, allowing the system to scale to large numbers of entities while maintaining manageable control complexity at each node.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional aspect to the hierarchical structure by introducing multiple levels of master nodes and alternative parent relationships. Instead of a single-dimensional tree structure where each node has one parent, the system allows nodes to have multiple parents and creates a multi-dimensional control graph, distributing the management burden across multiple dimensions and reducing the control burden on any single node.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for automated topology formation in a dynamic distributed environment includes configuring a master node in an active topology having nodes and intercommunication paths between the nodes. The master node includes an automated topology formation application including a predefined topology policy definition and a representation of the active topology. The master node receives a communication from an entity, the communication including a topology event notification indicating an event affecting the active topology. Using the automated topology formation application, it is determined that the topology event notification affects a topology portion of the active topology and, based on the topology event notification, the representation of the affected topology portion of the active topology is modified according to the predefined topology policy definition.