Edge Server Pre-provisioning for Rapid Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cloud computing systems face challenges in scaling centrally maintained datacenters to accommodate a growing user-base, leading to latency issues and increased costs. Additionally, users seek greater control and security over cloud resources, which is difficult to achieve in shared multi-tenant models. The deployment of edge networks to address these issues is hindered by the complexity and time required for physically delivering and configuring edge computing resources.
Innovation Solution
A pre-provisioning system that prepares and configures server racks prior to delivery to an edge network. This involves identifying and provisioning storage, compute, and network nodes, establishing connections with control planes, and pre-configuring hardware to a 'release to web' state, allowing for rapid deployment upon physical delivery to the edge location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional cloud computing systems scale centrally maintained datacenters to accommodate growing user-base, then computing capacity is improved, but latency increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized cloud computing system into distributed edge computing nodes deployed geographically closer to users. This segmentation allows computing capacity to be distributed across multiple locations, reducing latency while maintaining overall system capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single centralized datacenter dimension to a multi-dimensional distributed edge network architecture. By adding geographic distribution as an additional dimension, the system achieves both scaled capacity and reduced latency through proximity to users.
2Productivity
If conventional cloud computing systems use shared multi-tenant models, then resource utilization is improved, but user control and security are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary provisioning and configuration of edge computing resources before deployment. This allows security policies, access controls, and tenant configurations to be pre-established, ensuring both resource optimization and security requirements are met from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a provisioning system as an intermediary between resource allocation and physical deployment. This intermediary layer enables automated resource utilization optimization while maintaining security controls and user-specific configurations through policy-based management.
3Speed
If edge networks are deployed with physical delivery and configuration of computing resources, then latency is reduced and user control is improved, but deployment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary provisioning, configuration, and validation of edge computing resources at a centralized location before physical delivery. This advance preparation ensures that once deployed at the edge location, resources can be rapidly activated with minimal configuration time, reducing overall deployment duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service capabilities where pre-provisioned edge resources automatically activate and self-configure upon deployment. This eliminates manual configuration steps at the remote location, enabling rapid deployment while maintaining user control and optimized performance.
4Loss of time
If edge computing resources are pre-provisioned before delivery, then deployment time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized provisioning system as an intermediary that automates complex pre-deployment tasks. This intermediary handles resource allocation, configuration, and validation, simplifying the overall process despite the added system layer by centralizing complexity in a manageable location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses template-based copying of proven successful edge computing configurations. By replicating pre-validated resource setups across multiple deployments, the system reduces complexity through standardization while maintaining rapid deployment capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for pre-provisioning server nodes of a server rack and causing the pre-provisioned server node to be deployed on an edge zone of a cloud computing system. In particular, systems described herein involve identifying server nodes based on a customer hardware deployment request and performing a series of pre-provision acts to the server nodes in accordance with the received hardware deployment request. For example, systems described herein pre-provision the hardware by configuring hardware and software on the server nodes, establishing communication with one or more control planes on a datacenter, and bringing the server nodes to a return to web (RTW) state. By pre-provisioning the hardware, the server hardware may be delivered and transitioned to a live state in an efficient manner and without jeopardizing security on the cloud.