Broker Service for Non-Cloud VM Onboarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual machines (VMs) in a non-cloud environment cannot be managed by a cloud controller, as they were not spawned by the cloud controller, leading to a labor-intensive and error-prone manual onboarding process that may cause extended downtime.
Innovation Solution
A custom broker service is installed on computing nodes in the non-cloud environment to interact with the cloud controller, allowing the onboarding of existing VMs by installing compute, memory, network, and network address agents, which enables the cloud controller to manage VMs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing VMs in a non-cloud environment are manually onboarded to a cloud environment, then the VMs can be managed by the cloud controller, but the process is labor-intensive and error-prone causing extended downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a broker service as an intermediary component that facilitates communication and coordination between the cloud controller and the non-cloud environment. This broker service automates the onboarding process by mediating the interaction between existing VMs and the cloud controller, eliminating manual intervention and reducing downtime while maintaining management capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing VMs in a non-cloud environment are manually onboarded to a cloud environment, then the VMs can be managed by the cloud controller, but the process is labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the broker service and agents automatically perform the onboarding tasks without requiring manual human intervention. The system configures itself by installing compute, memory, network, and address agents on existing VMs, and the broker service automatically registers these VMs with the cloud controller, making the process efficient and error-free.
3Extent of automation
If agents are installed on computing nodes to enable cloud controller management, then automation is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the automation system into distinct functional components: a broker service that coordinates the onboarding process, and separate agents (compute agent, memory agent, network agent, address agent) that handle specific management functions. This segmentation allows each component to be independently developed, installed, and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while achieving comprehensive automation.
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a system installs an agent on a computing node that includes a virtual machine (VM), obtains information of the VM and send the information to a cloud controller that is able to manage a cloud, and manages, in response to control of the cloud controller, the VM using the agent.