Dynamic Agent Association for Cloud Network Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network testing methods for cloud computing environments are inadequate as they rely on static testing models, which are obsolete in elastic cloud infrastructures with dynamic hosts that scale based on load, making it difficult to manage and coordinate dynamic test elements.

Innovation Solution

Establishing dynamic agent associations in a cloud computing environment through a test controller that sets agent association criteria, receives registration messages from traffic generation agents, and configures them to operate as predefined network segments, allowing for dynamic traffic generation and metric data communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a static testing model is used, then the testing process is simple to manage, but it becomes obsolete in elastic cloud infrastructures with dynamic hosts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to dynamic cloud infrastructureVSAvoidcomplexity of managing dynamic test elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic agent associations where test agents are automatically associated with cloud resources based on real-time properties and criteria. The system continuously monitors and reassociates agents with dynamic cloud hosts, allowing the testing infrastructure to adapt to changing cloud environments. This resolves the contradiction by making the testing model dynamic rather than static, enabling it to work with elastic cloud infrastructures while the automated association mechanisms manage the complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes bidirectional communication between test agents and cloud resources, where agents report their status and properties, and the controller adjusts associations based on this feedback. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adapt to dynamic cloud infrastructure changes without manual intervention, resolving the adaptability-complexity contradiction through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If dynamic hosts are used in cloud computing, then the infrastructure can scale based on load, but it becomes difficult to manage and coordinate test elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescalability of cloud infrastructureVSAvoidease of managing test elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Test agents autonomously register themselves with the controller and automatically associate with appropriate cloud resources based on their properties and the defined criteria. The system performs self-configuration without requiring manual management, allowing the infrastructure to scale dynamically while maintaining ease of operation through automation. Agents independently manage their own associations and configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller implements a universal association mechanism that works across different cloud providers and dynamic host configurations. By defining property-based criteria rather than provider-specific management, the system achieves scalability across diverse cloud infrastructures while maintaining a unified, easy-to-manage interface through standardized agent associations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If test agents are dynamically launched in cloud SUT, then the testing can adapt to current load conditions, but coordination and configuration become complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to current load conditionsVSAvoidcomplexity of agent coordination and configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-defines association criteria and agent properties before dynamic agents are launched. When agents are dynamically created based on current load conditions, they automatically conform to these pre-established criteria, simplifying coordination and configuration. The preliminary setup of association rules eliminates the need for complex real-time coordination during dynamic agent deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11621893B2Methods, systems, and computer readable media for establishing dynamic agent associations in a cloud computing environment

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

One method occurs at a test system controller of a network test system implemented using at least one processor. The method includes establishing agent association criteria for a test system traffic generation agent to be deployed in a cloud computing system under test (SUT) and receiving a registration message from the test system traffic generation agent in response to a launching of the test system traffic generation agent in the cloud computing SUT. The method further includes obtaining agent property values associated with the one test system traffic generation agent from the registration message and sending test configuration data to the test system traffic generation agent in response to determining a match between the agent property values and the agent association criteria, wherein the test configuration data configures the test system traffic generation agent to operate as a predefined network segment in the cloud computing SUT.