Elastic Container Management System Dynamic Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current container management systems, such as Docker, suffer from fixed resource allocation, leading to service disruptions and inefficient resource utilization due to the inability to dynamically scale resources like CPU, memory, and network bandwidth, and result in container sprawl and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The Elastic Container Management System (ECMS) dynamically scales container resources based on utilization, performs garbage collection, and manages leases to optimize resource allocation and distribution across hosts, enabling seamless scaling and load balancing without service disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed resource allocation is used for containers, then resource allocation is simple and stable, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates and service disruptions occur during container switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the container management system continuously monitors resource usage metrics (CPU, memory, network bandwidth) and automatically adjusts resource allocation in real-time based on actual demand. This replaces the static fixed allocation model with a dynamic adaptive model that scales resources up or down without service disruption, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop by monitoring container resource consumption metrics and using this information to automatically adjust resource allocation. The monitoring component tracks usage patterns and feeds this data back to the resource allocation mechanism, which then modifies allocation dynamically. This closed-loop control ensures both service continuity and optimal resource utilization.
2Quantity of substance
If additional containers are started to increase resource allocation, then resource capacity increases, but service disruptions occur during container switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements live migration technology that allows containers to be moved between hosts without stopping or interrupting service. The migration process maintains continuous operation by establishing network connectivity before migration and seamlessly transferring the container state. This enables resource capacity adjustment through container migration rather than abrupt creation/destruction, eliminating service disruptions while increasing resource capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-warming standby containers and pre-establishing network connections before actual migration or failover is needed. This ensures that when resource reallocation is required, the transition can occur smoothly without service interruption because the necessary infrastructure is already in place and ready.
3Ease of operation
If containers are left running in test and development environments, then quick access is available, but container sprawl occurs and resource waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated container lifecycle management with periodic monitoring and scheduled cleanup. Containers in test/environments are automatically stopped or removed after defined periods of inactivity or upon completion of development cycles. This periodic action maintains quick accessibility during active development while preventing indefinite resource consumption, thereby reducing power consumption and eliminating container sprawl.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service capabilities where containers automatically manage their own lifecycle based on usage patterns and environmental conditions. In test environments, containers can be configured to auto-start when needed and auto-stop after inactivity periods, eliminating the need for manual intervention while preventing resource waste from abandoned containers.
Data Source
AI summary
An Elastic Container Management System (ECMS) that performs lifecycle management of containers by which containers are created, deleted, started, and stopped. The ECMS monitors the containers and, based on resource utilization, scales up and scales down the resource allocation of the containers. The ECMS also performs garbage collection, which removes containers from the host and their images and configurations are stored in repository, which can be retrieved. The ECMS also performs migration of containers between hosts in a network when the host running the container runs out of the resources.