Dynamic License Allocation in Disaggregated Server Pools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data center architectures face challenges in scalability, fault tolerance, and energy efficiency, particularly in managing software licenses in disaggregated server environments where components are dynamically scaled or changed, leading to complexities in licensing costs and resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
A system that dynamically allocates server resources from shared pools and includes a license manager to determine and adjust licensing configurations based on changing resource compositions, ensuring only necessary licenses are applied, thereby optimizing licensing costs and resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software licenses are allocated based on pre-defined hardware configurations in conventional data centers, then licensing management is simplified, but resource flexibility and scalability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic license allocation that automatically adjusts license assignments when server resources are scaled or reconfigured. The system monitors resource changes in real-time and modifies license allocations accordingly, transforming the static licensing model into a dynamic one that adapts to changing infrastructure requirements without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where license allocation decisions are continuously adjusted based on monitored resource utilization and configuration changes. When servers are scaled up or down, or when resources are reallocated, the system receives feedback about these changes and automatically recalibrates license assignments to maintain optimal compliance and cost efficiency.
2Reliability
If licenses are allocated to cover all servers in a cluster, then software compliance is ensured, but licensing costs increase linearly with cluster size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allocating licenses selectively to specific servers or resource pools based on actual software deployment and usage patterns, rather than uniformly licensing all servers in a cluster. This allows organizations to license only the portion of infrastructure that actually requires software, reducing unnecessary licensing costs while maintaining compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial action by allocating licenses based on actual need rather than maximum potential capacity. Instead of licensing for all possible server configurations or maximum cluster size, the system licenses for the actual number and type of servers currently deployed and running software, avoiding excessive license purchases.
3Stability of the object's composition
If hardware systems are prepackaged with fixed CPUs and memory, then system stability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments server resources into modular, independently manageable units that can be dynamically allocated and reallocated. By breaking down fixed hardware configurations into separable resource pools, the system allows individual CPUs, memory modules, and other components to be independently scaled and assigned to different workloads, simultaneously maintaining system stability through standardized interfaces and maximizing utilization through flexible allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements universality by creating resource pools where hardware components can serve multiple purposes and be allocated to different servers based on demand. A single CPU or memory module can be dynamically assigned to support different virtual machines or workloads as needed, allowing the same physical resources to fulfill multiple functions and serve various computational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Server resources in a data center are disaggregated into shared server resource pools. Servers are constructed dynamically, on-demand and based on a tenant's workload requirements, by allocating from these resource pools. The system also includes a license manager that operates to manage a pool of licenses that are available to be associated with resources drawn from the server resource pools. Upon provisioning of a server entity composed of resources drawn from the server resource pools, the license manager determines a license configuration suitable for the server entity. In response to receipt of information indicating a change in a composition of the server entity (e.g., as a workload is processed), the license manager determines whether an adjustment to the license configuration is required. If so, an adjusted license configuration for the server entity is determined and tracked to the tenant. The data center thus allocates appropriate licenses to server entities as required.