Disparate Computing Resource Normalization for Accurate Usage Cost

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cloud computing users face inaccuracies in measuring resource usage due to virtualization, leading to overestimation of resource consumption and inefficiencies between virtual and physical server configurations, with virtual servers often being less costly but performing worse than physical servers when normalized for work done.

Innovation Solution

A method to measure and normalize physical computing resource usage over time, converting disparate resources into a single unit of measure to accurately reflect actual work performed, optimizing resource allocation and reducing waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If virtualization is used to share computing resources across multiple workloads and customers, then resource utilization efficiency improves and financial yield increases, but measurement precision of actual resource consumption deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidresource consumption measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a normalization layer that acts as an intermediary between virtualized resource allocation and actual physical resource consumption measurement. This normalization mechanism translates virtual resource usage metrics into equivalent physical resource consumption, enabling accurate measurement despite the virtualization abstraction layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If virtual servers are used instead of physical servers, then cost per unit time decreases, but actual work performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost per unit timeVSAvoidwork performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the evaluation parameter from raw cost per unit time to normalized cost per unit of actual work done. By introducing work normalization factors that account for virtualization overhead, the system enables apples-to-apples comparison between virtual and physical server configurations based on actual productive output rather than simply billing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If disparate computing resources are measured separately, then resource tracking simplicity is maintained, but overall resource optimization capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource tracking simplicityVSAvoidresource optimization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal normalization framework that can handle multiple types of computing resources (CPU, memory, storage, network) through a single unified approach. The normalization layer provides multi-functional capability to translate various resource types into comparable units, enabling both simple tracking and comprehensive optimization across heterogeneous resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12387156B2Quantifying usage of disparate computing resources as a single unit of measure

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 INFRASIGHT SOFTWARE CORP

AI summary

A method including: receiving a single usage value for a plurality of physical computing resources over a period of time; receiving a cost for the plurality of physical computing resources; and determining, using one or more processors, a normalized usage rate cost of the plurality of physical computing resources over the period of time by normalizing the cost for the plurality of physical computing resources for a unit of the single usage value.