Distributed Peer-to-Peer Data Center Management via Powerline

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional data center management systems face challenges such as limited API capabilities, reliance on wired connections and baseboard management controllers, and inadequate data aggregation and analysis across various services, leading to inefficient monitoring and control capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a distributed peer-to-peer management system, specifically the Vapor CORE platform, which provides southbound and northbound APIs for managing rack-mounted computing devices, enabling efficient data aggregation, analysis, and monitoring through a powerline communication network, and integrating with various data center management tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a distributed peer-to-peer management system is implemented, then monitoring and control capabilities are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring and control capabilitiesVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management system is segmented into multiple peer management devices distributed across the data center, each handling local monitoring and control tasks. This segmentation improves reliability by eliminating single points of failure while the modular architecture manages complexity through clear division of responsibilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each peer management device is designed to perform multiple functions including local device monitoring, command distribution, data aggregation, and participation in the distributed management network. This multi-functionality improves overall system capability while reducing the need for specialized dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If data aggregation and analysis across various services is enhanced, then management efficiency is improved, but loss of information increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement efficiencyVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where peer management devices continuously monitor data quality and transmission status, providing real-time information about data integrity. This feedback loop enables the system to detect and correct potential information loss while maintaining efficient data aggregation across the distributed network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs error detection and correction protocols, along with data validation mechanisms, that are built into the data aggregation process beforehand. These protective measures cushion against potential information loss during data collection and transmission, ensuring integrity while maintaining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11665230B2Data center network device sensing

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 VAPOR IO INC

AI summary

Provided is a process of managing rack-mounted computing devices in a data center with a distributed peer-to-peer management system, the process including: determining roles of data-center management computing devices in a distributed peer-to-peer data-center management system; receiving, via an out-of-band network, a data-center management command at a given data-center management computing device; distributing, based on at least some of the roles, via the out-of-band network, the data-center management command.