BAS Microservice Architecture for Scalable Multi-Node Servers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building automation systems (BAS) face scalability and fault-tolerance issues due to reliance on single server applications, which can lead to costly hardware upgrades and system downtime when demand increases.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a microservices architecture with a server platform that decomposes server functionality into separate services, using containerization technology, orchestration networks, and a common data model to manage communication and data storage across multiple nodes, both on-premise and in the cloud.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single server application is used to control and monitor BAS devices, then the system structure is simple and ease of operation is maintained, but scalability deteriorates and fault tolerance decreases when usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single server application into multiple independent microservice nodes (first node, second node, third node, etc.), each capable of handling specific BAS operations. This segmentation allows the system to scale horizontally by adding more nodes without increasing complexity of individual components, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and scalability.
2Device complexity
If a single server application is used, then device complexity is low, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of fault tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple identical microservice nodes into a distributed system where each node provides the same functionality. This combination creates redundancy, ensuring that if one node fails, others can continue operating, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of node quantity from single to multiple, and introduces orchestration mechanisms to manage these nodes. This parameter change enables fault tolerance while keeping individual node complexity low, as each node remains a simple, standardized unit.
3Reliability
If server functionality is decomposed into separate microservices, then scalability and fault tolerance are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universal microservice nodes that can perform multiple BAS operations (monitoring, control, data collection) through standardized interfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized components, managing complexity while maintaining the benefits of service decomposition for reliability and scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an orchestration layer as an intermediary that manages communication and coordination between microservice nodes. This mediator handles the complexity of inter-node interactions, allowing individual nodes to remain simple while the overall system achieves high reliability through coordinated operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If microservice architecture with multiple nodes is implemented, then scalability improves allowing more users and field controllers, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical scaling model (adding power to a single server) to a horizontal scaling model (adding more nodes in a distributed network). This dimensional change in architecture allows scalability without proportionally increasing system complexity, as each added node operates independently with standardized protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A building automation system (BAS) with microservice architecture. The system includes a server platform configured to perform various operations within the building automation system. The server platform includes a microservices platform configured to execute various processes within the BAS. The microservices platform includes a plurality of nodes where each node is configured to run one or more services as separate processes. The microservices platform further includes a message bus configured to control communication between processes and an orchestration network configured to control communication between the plurality of nodes. The server platform further includes a common data model (CDM) shared between the plurality of nodes where the CDM consists of metadata of the BAS. The server platform further includes a container orchestration platform configured to manage and control the plurality of nodes.