Database Instance Consolidation via Isolation Criteria

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Solution Overview

Problem

Database instance consolidation is hindered by tedious and time-consuming manual calculations due to a lack of adequate multi-goal analysis models and tools, leading to inefficient use of server hardware and increased costs from underutilization and idle resources.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of models and tools that standardize database instance performance data, apply isolation criteria, and use dynamic programming and combinatorial optimization to automatically assign instance sets to target machines, optimizing resource usage and reducing manual effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual calculations are used for database instance consolidation, then database instances can be consolidated to target servers, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsolidation speedVSAvoidmanual calculation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical calculations with an automated computer-based system that uses algorithms and data processing to perform consolidation analysis, eliminating the need for tedious manual computations while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service consolidation planning by automatically gathering performance data, applying isolation criteria, and generating consolidation recommendations without requiring manual intervention for each calculation step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If adequate multi-goal analysis models and tools are not implemented, then implementation complexity is reduced, but resource efficiency deteriorates due to underutilization and idle resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserver utilization efficiencyVSAvoidanalysis model complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms multiple consolidation goals into a standardized mathematical optimization model by defining objective functions and constraints based on performance data, isolation criteria, and resource metrics, enabling efficient computation of optimal consolidation plans

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an automated analysis tool as an intermediary between raw performance data and consolidation decisions, which processes data through standardized models and algorithms to generate optimized consolidation recommendations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If isolation criteria are applied to divide database instances into instance sets, then resource efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the assignment process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidassignment process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments database instances into isolated sets based on criteria such as security requirements, organizational boundaries, and compatibility constraints, allowing independent optimization of each set while maintaining overall system efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the complex multi-constraint assignment problem into a standardized optimization model by parameterizing isolation criteria and resource metrics, enabling automated computation of efficient assignments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If automated tools with dynamic programming and combinatorial optimization are used, then resource usage is optimized, but the extent of automation increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource optimizationVSAvoidautomation level

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual consolidation planning with automated algorithms including dynamic programming and combinatorial optimization techniques, which compute optimal resource allocation and instance assignment decisions without human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent formulates resource optimization as a mathematical programming problem with defined objective functions and constraints, enabling the use of advanced optimization algorithms to automatically determine optimal consolidation configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8667019B2Placement goal-based database instance consolidation

Publication Date: 2014.03.04 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Models and tools for facilitating database instance consolidation are described. One approach obtains standardized database instance performance data, receives instance isolation criteria which are applied to divide instances into sets, determines resource usage for each set, and assigns instance sets to target machines based on resource usage and capacity. Each instance set is associated with a virtual machine in some cases. A security isolation criterion indicates that specified instances shall not co-reside on a target machine; an organizational criterion indicates that specified instances shall be located together in a single data center; a compatibility criterion indicates that instances shall not reside in the same virtual machine, the same physical server, or the same server pool. Users iteratively reach an acceptable consolidation of instances at one or more data centers, such as an enhanced assignment of instances that is more efficient than a linear additive solution.