Federated Downstream Cluster Virtual Machine Host Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for virtual machine host isolation lack effective geographical and logical isolation methods, leading to potential vulnerabilities and inefficiencies in resource management and fault tolerance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a federated downstream cluster system using XMPP servers to isolate virtual machine hosts, where compute nodes are logically connected through application servers, allowing for geographically and logically isolated virtual machine management, with upstream and downstream managers and agents communicating via standardized protocols to manage provisioning and failover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional virtual machine host isolation methods are used, then basic resource management is possible, but geographical and logical isolation is insufficient leading to vulnerabilities and inefficiencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault toleranceVSAvoidvulnerabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides compute nodes into distinct federated clusters with upstream and downstream managers, creating isolated segments that can fail independently. Each cluster is managed through separate communication channels (XMPP servers), enabling geographical and logical isolation that prevents vulnerabilities from propagating across the entire system while maintaining fault tolerance through segmented architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

XMPP servers act as intermediary communication layers between upstream and downstream managers, and between compute nodes in different federated clusters. This intermediary layer enables secure, standardized communication while maintaining isolation boundaries, allowing the system to achieve both vulnerability prevention through isolation and reliable resource management through standardized protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If compute nodes are isolated into federated clusters, then geographical and logical isolation is achieved, but system complexity increases due to multiple managers and agents

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveisolationVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs universal roles (upstream manager, downstream manager, downstream agent) that can be instantiated across different federated clusters using the same XMPP-based architecture. This multi-functionality allows the same software components to serve multiple isolation domains, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining strong isolation through role-based separation rather than requiring entirely different architectures for each cluster.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system manages complexity by parameterizing cluster configurations through standardized XMPP protocols, allowing flexible deployment of federated clusters with different topologies and sizes. By changing configuration parameters rather than structural elements, the system achieves geographical and logical isolation without proportionally increasing architectural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If centralized management is used, then administrative control is simplified, but resource monopolization and inefficiency occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadministrative controlVSAvoidresource management efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments administrative control by introducing downstream managers and agents that operate autonomously within their federated clusters. These local managers handle resource provisioning and management independently, preventing centralized monopolization while maintaining overall system coordination through XMPP communication. This segmentation improves resource management efficiency by enabling parallel administration across multiple clusters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where downstream agents report resource status and provisioning results back to downstream managers and upstream managers through XMPP protocols. This feedback loop enables efficient resource management through distributed decision-making, allowing local optimization while maintaining administrative control through standardized communication protocols that balance autonomy with coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9152441B2Systems and methods involving virtual machine host isolation over a network via a federated downstream cluster

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for virtual machine host isolation are disclosed. According to one implementation, an illustrative system may include a first compute node configured to be operatively coupled to a second compute node via a first application server, and to a third compute node via a second application server. In operation, the first compute node may be configured to receive an instruction from the second compute node via the first server to define a virtual machine, and send an instruction to the third compute node via the second server to define the virtual machine.