Dynamic Service Level Agreements for Cloud Infrastructure Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing service demand load in cloud computing environments do not effectively account for timeliness requirements, leading to significant capital investments in additional capacity to handle peak demand loads.
Innovation Solution
Implementing service level agreements (SLAs) with variable pricing and delivery requirements, allowing consumers to select from multiple SLAs based on their needs, with dynamic pricing adjustments in response to infrastructure utilization, enabling flexible resource allocation and cost management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If task prioritization is used to manage service demand load, then higher priority tasks receive greater portion of available resources, but actual timeliness requirements for consumer initiated workload are not taken into account
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic service level agreements that adjust resource allocation based on real-time infrastructure capacity and consumer-selected service levels. Instead of static task prioritization, the system dynamically modifies resource provisioning according to current load conditions and agreed-upon service requirements, allowing the system to adapt resource distribution to both timeliness needs and available capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of resource allocation by introducing multiple service level agreements with different pricing and performance characteristics. Consumers can select from various SLAs that define different timeliness requirements and resource guarantees, transforming the rigid prioritization model into a flexible parameter-based allocation system where resource distribution is adjusted according to selected service levels and current infrastructure state.
2Reliability
If additional capacity is invested to handle peak demand loads, then service availability is improved, but capital investment requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing different levels of service guarantees through multiple SLAs. Instead of over-provisioning infrastructure to meet the most demanding requirements universally, the system allows consumers to select appropriate service levels, providing partial resource guarantees that match actual needs. This enables the infrastructure to be sized for average loads while using dynamic allocation to meet peak demands at selected service levels without requiring excessive capacity for all consumers simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The service portfolio is segmented into multiple distinct service level agreements, each with defined resource guarantees and pricing. This segmentation allows the infrastructure to be optimized for different usage patterns and demand levels, rather than designing for a single worst-case scenario that would require excessive overall capacity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple service level agreements with different price levels are offered, then consumer choice and cost management are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal SLA management framework that handles multiple service levels through a common infrastructure and control plane. The system provides multi-functionality by using the same resource management mechanisms to enforce different service agreements, rather than requiring separate systems for each SLA type. This universal approach manages complexity while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for implementing service level agreements (SLAs) having variable service delivery requirements and pricing in a networked (e.g. cloud) computing environment. Under embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of SLAs, each having a different price level, is made available to a consumer. The consumer may select one or more of the plurality of SLAs that reflects the consumer's service delivery requirements in a cloud computing environment. A consumer having relatively inflexible service delivery requirements may select one of the SLAs having a relatively higher price, whereas a consumer having relatively flexible service delivery requirements may select one of the SLAs having a relatively lower price. In one embodiment, the SLAs may dynamically provide for relatively lower variable pricing in response to the consumer receiving deferred or a relatively lower level of service during a peak service demand load. In another embodiment, the SLAs may dynamically provide for relatively higher variable pricing in response to consumer service requests that are fulfilled during a relatively higher overall service demand load. In yet another embodiment, the SLAs may dynamically provide for relatively lower variable pricing in response to consumer service requests that occur during a relatively lower overall service demand load.