Dynamic Serviceability Platform for Software-Defined Data Centers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software-defined data centers (SDDCs) lack adequate serviceability tools, including proactive vendor-agnostic maintenance, automatic problem detection and fixing, multi-site support, and efficient patch implementation, leading to inefficiencies in resource management and issue resolution.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for dynamic serviceability that collects data-center metrics, filters and formats information based on partner-specific needs, uses an inference engine for automated issue diagnosis and solution implementation, and provides metadata for partner access, enabling proactive and automated maintenance without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hardware and firmware partners are utilized in an SDDC, then hardware diversity and functionality are improved, but serviceability complexity and vendor-specific requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal serviceability platform that can handle multiple hardware and firmware partners through a single interface. The system uses standardized data collection mechanisms and a common architecture that adapts to different vendors' requirements, allowing one platform to serve multiple functions across diverse hardware ecosystems without requiring separate serviceability solutions for each partner.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the diverse hardware partners and the serviceability management system. This intermediary platform translates various vendor-specific protocols and data formats into a unified structure, mediating between the heterogeneous hardware environments and the centralized serviceability functions, thereby simplifying the integration of multiple partners.
2Reliability
If manual monitoring and serviceability management are used, then system control is maintained, but response time and efficiency of issue resolution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service capabilities where the serviceability platform automatically performs monitoring, detection, and resolution actions without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously collects data from hardware partners, analyzes serviceability metrics, and executes corrective actions, enabling the infrastructure to service itself and eliminating delays associated with human response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuous feedback loops where the serviceability platform constantly monitors system state, detects anomalies, and automatically responds to issues. The system uses real-time data feedback from hardware components to trigger automated serviceability actions, creating a closed-loop control mechanism that maintains system reliability while minimizing response time.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive data collection from all SDDC components is performed, then complete visibility is achieved, but data processing overhead and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and focuses only on the critical serviceability-related data from the comprehensive set of SDDC components. Rather than collecting all possible data, the system selectively extracts the specific metrics and information necessary for hardware and firmware serviceability, filtering out redundant data to reduce processing overhead while maintaining complete visibility into serviceability-critical aspects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different data collection and processing strategies to different components based on their specific serviceability requirements. Each hardware partner and firmware component has customized data collection parameters tailored to its unique characteristics, allowing the system to optimize data gathering locally for each component rather than applying a uniform approach, thereby reducing overall processing overhead while maintaining comprehensive serviceability visibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein include systems and methods for providing dynamic serviceability for a software-defined data center (“SDDC”). An example method can include collecting data-center metrics from a management service that monitors the SDDC, filtering the data-center information based on a predetermined list of metrics provided by a partner entity, and translating the filtered data-center information into a partner-specific format requested by the partner entity. The example method can also include generating metadata associated with the translated data-center information and transmitting the metadata and translated data-center information to a partner site associated with the partner entity. If the partner site is not available, the method can include transmitting the information to a partner-accessible storage location and, when the partner site becomes available, identifying the storage location and failed attempt to deliver the information.