Geolocation Tracking for Cloud Application Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing software applications in computer networks that have geographical restrictions is challenging due to static location information and frequent reassignment of applications across different host servers, especially in cloud computing environments, making it difficult for system administrators to ensure compliance with location-based regulations and licensing requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a GPS service entity to acquire and provide geographical location information to applications, enabling them to enforce policies based on their physical location, which includes a location enablement device with a GPS receiver and an API-based GPS service module that communicates with infrastructure enclosure devices to determine and update location data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If geographical location information is coded directly into applications upon release or installation, then compliance with location restrictions is ensured, but the system cannot adapt when applications are reassigned to different host servers in cloud computing networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic geographical location tracking by equipping host servers with GPS receivers that continuously monitor and update location data. When applications are reassigned to different servers, the new server's location is automatically detected and reported to the location management entity, enabling the system to adapt to server reassignment while maintaining compliance with geographical restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where location enablement devices continuously monitor geographical location and report changes to the location management entity. This feedback loop ensures that when applications are moved to different servers, the system receives location updates and can enforce appropriate policies, resolving the contradiction between maintaining compliance and adapting to server reassignment.
2Device complexity
If geographical location information is registered and established once during application release, then system complexity is reduced, but the information becomes outdated when applications are transferred to different host servers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous location monitoring through GPS receivers in host servers and periodic location updates reported to the location management entity. This continuous action ensures location information remains current even as applications are transferred between servers, maintaining reliability without significantly increasing system complexity through automated processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables host servers to automatically detect and report their own geographical location using onboard GPS receivers. This self-service approach minimizes the burden on the location management system while ensuring accurate, up-to-date location information is continuously maintained, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If a GPS service entity continuously tracks and updates location information for all host servers, then location accuracy is maintained, but system resource consumption and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the location tracking function into separate, dedicated location enablement devices with GPS receivers that are embedded in host servers. This separation allows continuous, accurate location monitoring to be performed independently by specialized components, reducing the complexity burden on the main application management system while maintaining high measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable mediums for utilizing geographical location information to manage applications in a computer network system are disclosed. According to one example, a method includes receiving, by a global positioning system (GPS) service entity, a request for geographical location information associated with an infrastructure enclosure device from a location request entity, wherein the location request entity is hosted by the infrastructure enclosure device. The method further includes acquiring, by the GPS service entity, the geographical location information from a location enablement device included in the infrastructure enclosure device and sending, by the GPS service module, the acquired geographical location information to the location request entity, wherein the location request entity enforces a policy based on the acquired geographical location information.