Cloud-Based Network License Zone for Dynamic Session Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
VoIP carriers face inefficiencies in purchasing concurrent session licenses, as they must buy maximum licenses for each node to accommodate peak loads, leading to unnecessary costs and a lack of flexibility in managing session traffic across multiple geographic sites.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cloud-based network license zone (NLZ) system where virtual machines dynamically share session licenses, allowing licenses to shift between nodes based on demand, and using peer-to-peer communication to enforce average network session licenses, ensuring that new session requests are only accepted within the licensed capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carriers purchase maximum concurrent licenses for each node to accommodate peak loads, then session access reliability is improved, but license cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple geographically distributed nodes are merged into a single virtualized pool where session licenses are shared across all nodes. The virtualization layer consolidates license management, allowing dynamic allocation of licenses to any node based on real-time demand rather than requiring dedicated licenses at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The license allocation system transitions from static per-node licensing to dynamic pool-based licensing. Licenses can be dynamically assigned to different nodes based on fluctuating traffic patterns and peak load requirements, enabling the system to adapt to changing conditions without over-provisioning at each individual node.
2Productivity
If carriers purchase maximum concurrent licenses for each node, then session capacity is improved, but flexibility in managing session traffic deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The virtualized license pool serves multiple nodes simultaneously with a single set of licenses, making the licensing system universal across the entire carrier network. Any node can access any available license from the pool, providing multi-functional capability that replaces node-specific licensing arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic redistribution of session capacity across nodes based on real-time traffic conditions. When one node experiences peak load, licenses can be dynamically allocated to that node from the shared pool, providing flexible session traffic management while maintaining overall network capacity.
3Ease of operation
If independent licenses are purchased for each physical instance, then node autonomy is improved, but overall resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A virtualization layer is introduced as an intermediary between physical nodes and license management. This intermediary abstracts the physical hardware from license allocation, allowing nodes to maintain operational autonomy while licenses are managed centrally in a shared pool that optimizes resource utilization across the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
Virtual instances are created as software copies that can be dynamically instantiated on physical hardware. These virtual nodes can access the shared license pool without requiring dedicated physical licenses, enabling efficient resource sharing while maintaining the ability to independently manage each virtual instance's session handling.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling session access within a cloud-based network license zone (NLZ) includes registering one or more virtual machines, modifying a zone-wide session license based upon the registration step and transmitting the modified license to the plurality of virtual machines. The method also includes periodically receiving a network access message from each of the other virtual machines, each network access message including a count of active sessions enumerated by service type currently processed by the other virtual machine, determining a summation of active sessions, the summation based in part on the network access messages and a count of active sessions currently processed by the virtual machine, and enforcing a total count of active sessions, each virtual machine configured to reject new session requests received at the virtual machine when the total count of active sessions exceeds a predetermined number of active sessions as defined in the modified license.