Cloud Resource Bundle Selection Optimizer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Organizations face challenges in efficiently selecting an optimal combination of cloud resources within budget constraints in IaaS and PaaS systems, as existing solutions do not reliably calculate remaining budgets or provide a way to optimize resource allocations to meet workload demands while adhering to budget limits.

Innovation Solution

A method is developed to compute and select the best possible cloud resource combinations by filtering based on workload demands and budget constraints, using a cloud allocation optimizer that calculates the 'level of goodness' for resource bundles considering compute power, cost, and distribution, to automatically provision optimal resources during cloud bursting operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If all possible combinations of cloud resource bundles are computed and evaluated, then the optimal resource combination can be selected, but the computational complexity and time required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptimality of resource selectionVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the resource selection process into multiple filtering stages. First, combinations are filtered by hard constraints (budget, minimum resource requirements). Then, the remaining combinations are evaluated using a scoring function that considers multiple factors (compute power, cost, distribution). This segmentation allows the system to handle large search spaces efficiently by eliminating obviously suboptimal combinations early in the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by not evaluating all possible combinations exhaustively. Instead, it uses filtering criteria to identify a subset of promising combinations and evaluates only those. The scoring function provides a heuristic that guides the selection process, allowing the system to achieve good enough solutions without complete enumeration, thus reducing computational overhead while maintaining high selection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If cloud resources are allocated to fully satisfy workload demands, then service quality is improved, but budget constraints may be exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkload demand satisfactionVSAvoidbudget consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of resource allocation by introducing a scoring function that weights different factors (compute power, cost, distribution) according to user preferences and budget constraints. This allows the system to dynamically adjust allocation decisions based on the relative importance of different parameters, finding the optimal balance between satisfying workload demands and staying within budget limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic resource selection where the filtering and scoring criteria can be adjusted based on changing conditions. The system can adapt to different budget constraints and workload requirements by modifying the filtering thresholds and scoring weights, enabling flexible allocation that responds to real-time conditions while maintaining optimality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If multiple filtering criteria are applied to narrow down resource combinations, then selection accuracy is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the filtering process into distinct stages: first applying hard constraints (budget limits, minimum resource requirements) to eliminate obviously invalid combinations, then applying the scoring function to evaluate remaining combinations. This segmentation allows the system to apply complex evaluation criteria only to a reduced set of candidates, maintaining high selection accuracy while minimizing processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary filtering using simple hard constraints before applying the more complex scoring function. By pre-filtering combinations that clearly violate budget or minimum requirement constraints, the system reduces the search space for subsequent evaluation, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining accurate selection through the comprehensive scoring of remaining candidates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11416296B2Selecting an optimal combination of cloud resources within budget constraints
Publication Date: 2022.08.16 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US11416296B2 patent drawing
  • US11416296B2 patent drawing
  • US11416296B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Selecting an optimal combination of cloud resources within budget constraints, by a processor. All possible combinations for cloud resource bundles are computed which are available for allocation. The possible combinations are filtered according to predetermined criteria. The filtered possible combinations are divided into a first set that satisfies an overall workload demand for resources and a second set that partially satisfies the overall workload demand for resources. A level of goodness may be calculated for one or both of the first and second sets, and resources may be allocated from the first or second set to a cluster according to the calculated level of goodness. In some embodiments, the level of goodness may be defined based on the relative desirability (i.e., a user's preference) of aspects such as compute power, cost of resources, and the distribution or co-location of respective resources of the cloud resource bundles.