Dynamic Cloud Service Construction via Segmented Workflow Plans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cloud service management systems require a predefined final plan and are inflexible, necessitating updates in service providers to modify the construction plan, which is inefficient and lacks dynamic execution capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for dynamically constructing and executing a cloud service using a choreographic approach, where a configurator generates a plan with workflow steps, sends it to a bus, and inserts sub-plans from service providers, allowing for flexible service composition and execution without pre-known plans, enabling updates to service providers without modifying the construction plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a predefined final plan is used for cloud service construction, then the service composition is controlled and manageable, but the system lacks flexibility and requires updates to service providers to modify the construction plan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the construction plan into a template portion (defining the structure and workflow steps) and data portions (specific service provider implementations). This segmentation allows the template to remain stable while service providers can be updated independently, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic execution where the configurator generates a final plan at runtime by selecting service providers based on current system state and requirements. This dynamic approach enables flexible service composition without requiring manual plan updates, while the system manages complexity through automated provider selection and plan generation.
2Productivity
If service providers are updated to modify the construction plan, then the service functionality is improved, but the inefficiency and lack of dynamic execution capabilities arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares service provider data and capabilities in advance, storing them in a registry that the configurator can query. This preliminary preparation enables efficient updates without requiring plan modifications, as the configurator simply selects from available providers based on current needs, improving both productivity and dynamic execution.
Solution Approach 2:
Service providers register themselves with the configurator and provide their own capability descriptions. When updates are needed, providers can independently update their registrations without requiring system administrator intervention or plan modifications. This self-service mechanism improves productivity while maintaining dynamic execution capabilities through automated provider selection.
3Reliability
If a central orchestrator executes a plan with known tasks and order, then the service composition is controlled, but the system lacks flexibility for dynamic service creation
Solution Approach 1:
The configurator acts as an intermediary between service requirements and service provider implementations. It receives service requests, queries the registry for suitable providers, and generates the final execution plan. This intermediary approach maintains control through structured plan generation while enabling dynamic service creation by selecting providers based on current system state rather than predefined rigid plans.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for constructing a plan for creating a cloud service. In one embodiment, a configurator receives a request for one or more services making up a cloud service, and a preliminary plan for the requested services is generated. A service provider determines that it is able to fulfill a requested service, and inserts a sub plan for fulfilling the requested service into the preliminary plan. A final plan is generated, which includes a sub plan from each service provider inserted into the preliminary plan.