Cloud Management System for Custom Software Appliances

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of cloud-based computing services face limitations in customizing software solutions on-demand, as they often need to acquire and purchase separate software or rely on pre-configured options, which can be costly and inflexible.

Innovation Solution

A cloud management system that allows users to build custom appliances by selecting and configuring software modules from a repository, instantiating them on-demand, and charging based on usage, enabling flexible and cost-effective deployment of virtual machines and resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users acquire and purchase separate software to be executed by virtual machines, then software functionality is available, but cost increases and flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware customization flexibilityVSAvoidsoftware acquisition cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the software repository, virtual machine infrastructure, and deployment capabilities into a single cloud-based system. Users can select software modules from the repository and have them automatically deployed to virtual machines through the cloud management system, eliminating the need for separate software acquisition and manual installation processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cloud-based system provides universal access to a wide range of software modules through a single platform. The system can instantiate different types of virtual machines (software appliances) with various pre-configured software modules, allowing users to access diverse software functionality through one unified interface rather than purchasing multiple separate software products.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If users rely on pre-configured software in the cloud, then deployment is simplified, but software selection and customization are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment simplicityVSAvoidsoftware selection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments software functionality into discrete, independently selectable modules stored in the repository. Each software module represents a distinct functional unit that can be individually selected, configured, and deployed. This segmentation allows users to build customized software appliances by combining specific modules while maintaining the simplicity of automated deployment through the cloud management system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If users lease or subscribe to resources for short-term basis, then scalability is improved, but software customization capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource scalabilityVSAvoidsoftware customization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic software appliance instantiation where the cloud management system can automatically provision, configure, and deploy customized software modules to virtual machines in real-time based on user requests. This dynamic capability allows users to obtain customized software solutions on-demand with short-term leasing, combining the scalability of cloud resources with the flexibility of custom software configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11734621B2Methods and systems for building custom appliances in a cloud-based network

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 RED HAT INC

AI summary

A cloud management system can track the usage of the virtual machines in order to determine the fees associated with the user's subscription to the cloud computing environment. The usage can include the resources consumed to support the virtual machines and can include the utilization of the virtual machines by the user or third parties. The cloud management system can determine the fees charged to the user for utilizing the cloud computing environment based on the tracked usage.