Granular Pod and Container Scaling Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for managing pods and containers in distributed systems face inefficiencies due to overutilization or underutilization of resources, leading to constrained performance and resource misallocation.

Innovation Solution

The system analyzes container operation metrics and workload analyses to determine whether to perform pod or container level scaling. It updates pod definitions to adjust the number and types of containers, ensuring optimal resource utilization and replacing inefficient or security-risk containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If pod-level scaling is performed, then resource allocation is simplified, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to inability to address individual container needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanagement complexityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the scaling management from pod-level to container-level. The system monitors individual container metrics (CPU usage, memory usage, network I/O) and performs scaling operations on specific containers rather than entire pods. This segmentation enables precise resource allocation to each container based on its actual needs, resolving the contradiction between simplified management and efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different scaling policies and resource allocations for different containers within the same pod. Each container can have its own scaling thresholds and target values based on its specific workload characteristics. This localized approach optimizes resource utilization for each container individually while maintaining overall system coherence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If container-level monitoring is implemented, then resource utilization efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal container scaling manager that handles multiple containers across different pods through a single system. This manager performs multiple functions including metric collection, analysis, scaling decision-making, and execution. By consolidating these functions into a universal system rather than individual monitors per container, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining detailed container-level monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables containers to effectively self-regulate their resource allocation through automated scaling based on their own performance metrics. The scaling manager monitors container health and resource usage, then automatically adjusts container resources without manual intervention. This self-service approach reduces the operational complexity of managing individual container monitoring while improving resource utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If manual scaling operations are performed, then control precision is high, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to time-consuming adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescaling control precisionVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated feedback loops that continuously monitor container performance metrics and automatically adjust scaling parameters. The system collects real-time data on CPU usage, memory consumption, and network I/O, compares these against defined thresholds and target values, and automatically triggers scaling operations when needed. This feedback mechanism maintains precise control over container resources while eliminating the time-consuming manual adjustment process, thereby improving operational efficiency without sacrificing control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250036475A1Granular management of pods and containers
Publication Date: 2025.01.30 DELL PROD LP
  • US20250036475A1 patent drawing
  • US20250036475A1 patent drawing
  • US20250036475A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and systems for managing pods and containers that provide computer implemented services are disclosed. The pods and containers may be managed to improve efficiency of resource use and reduce exposure to threats to operation of systems that host the pods and containers. To ascertain how to manage the pods and containers, the pods and containers may be monitored and analyzed. The results of the monitoring and analyzation may be used to select how to change the pods and containers over time.