Cross-Vendor Mapping Service for Cloud Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in determining compatibility of applications and resources across different cloud networks, as vendors in one cloud lack visibility into the software and resources available in another cloud, making it difficult to integrate new resources with existing virtual machines and ensure compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A cross-vendor mapping service that allows users to access an external service to determine compatibility of their applications and appliances with those in other external clouds, by communicating with cloud management systems and vendor repositories to generate a compatibility mapping between resources in the user's cloud and those in target clouds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vendors register applications and services directly to their own cloud management systems, then local service availability is improved, but cross-cloud visibility and compatibility determination deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cross-vendor mapping service as an intermediary component that receives service definitions from multiple cloud management systems and generates compatibility mappings. This mediator enables vendors to maintain local service registration while providing cross-cloud visibility through the mapping service, which translates between different vendor-specific service definitions and a standardized compatibility framework.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users deploy resources across multiple independent clouds, then resource flexibility and scalability are improved, but compatibility determination and integration complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the complexity of cross-cloud compatibility determination by changing the parameters of service definition from vendor-specific formats to a standardized format with common attributes. The cross-vendor mapping service performs parameter translation and normalization, allowing users to deploy across multiple clouds using consistent service definition parameters rather than dealing with each vendor's proprietary format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the compatibility determination process into distinct components: service definition extraction, attribute mapping, compatibility assessment, and mapping generation. This segmentation allows each component to be handled independently, reducing the overall complexity of multi-cloud integration while maintaining flexibility in resource deployment.
3Reliability
If cloud processes are tracked manually to ensure proper instantiation and functionality, then process control is improved, but time consumption and operational efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the cross-vendor mapping service automatically performs service definition extraction, compatibility assessment, and mapping generation without requiring manual user intervention. The system autonomously determines compatibility between services across different clouds and provides ready-to-use mappings, eliminating the need for users to manually track and verify each cloud process instantiation.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for a cross-vendor mapping service in cloud networks. A mapping service can be provided external to one or more sets of clouds which can access vendor databases in those clouds, and generate reports on software compatibility for software resources available in those diverse cloud networks. A user in an original cloud may wish to construct an image of a set of appliances or other services or entities in a second, external cloud or clouds. The external target cloud(s) may have different application sets, and/or applications available from different vendors, than those software resources hosted in the original cloud. A mapping service external to the participating clouds can enumerate the applications or other resources available in an external cloud, and generate a mapping or translation of those components to construct desired appliance images in that destination. Subscription terms can also be translated between clouds.