Client-Directed Service Placement Across Edge Micro-Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management of large-scale computing resources in data centers is complicated by increased scale and scope, and existing virtualization technologies face challenges in supporting desired latencies for end-user requests, especially when clients access applications from geographically distant locations.
Innovation Solution
A modular control-plane architecture is implemented, allowing service instances to be configured at micro-regions close to end-user endpoints, with control servers in standard regions managing administrative operations and using secure communication channels to remotely configure instance hosts, minimizing administrative overhead and enhancing security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If service instances are configured at centralized data centers, then administrative management is simplified, but latency for end-user requests increases due to geographical distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service instance configuration into two parts: administrative control remains centralized at data centers, while actual service delivery is distributed to edge locations (micro-regions) close to end users. This segmentation allows simplified centralized management while reducing latency through geographical distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces edge locations (micro-regions) as intermediaries between centralized data centers and end users. These intermediaries host service instances locally, reducing the distance requests must travel while maintaining centralized administrative control through secure communication channels.
2Loss of time
If service instances are distributed to micro-regions close to end users, then request latency is reduced, but administrative overhead and security management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses secure communication channels as intermediaries to manage the complexity of distributed administrative overhead. These channels enable centralized control planes to securely configure and manage distributed service instances across multiple micro-regions without requiring complex local administration at each edge location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where control planes receive status information from distributed service instances and automatically adjust configurations. This feedback loop simplifies administrative overhead by enabling automated management of distributed resources rather than manual configuration at each micro-region.
3Productivity
If control servers are co-located with instance hosts, then configuration speed is improved, but security vulnerabilities increase due to concentrated attack targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments control functions from service instance hosting functions. Control planes are separated from data planes, with control servers managing configurations remotely through secure channels. This segmentation maintains configuration efficiency while distributing security risk across separated systems rather than concentrated targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces secure communication channels as intermediaries between control servers and instance hosts. These encrypted channels allow fast configuration communication while protecting against security vulnerabilities by preventing direct exposure of control servers to potential attacks at host locations.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for client-directed placement of remotely configured service instances are described. One or more placement target options are selected for a client of a network-accessible service based on criteria such as service characteristics of the placement targets. The selected options, including a particular placement target that includes instance hosts configurable from remote control servers, are indicated programmatically to the client. A determination is made that a service instance is to be configured at the particular placement target on behalf of the client. A remote control server is configured to issue administrative commands to an instance host at the particular placement target to configure the service instance.