Hardware Allocation Validation for Virtualized Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Server virtualization in control systems can lead to failures due to errors in hardware allocation data, causing improper allocation of resources to host and guest operating systems, which may result in the controller failing to function correctly.
Innovation Solution
An engineering tool that includes a hardware-allocation-data storage and an allocation-condition storage, which validates input hardware allocation data against predefined conditions before saving it, ensuring that only valid data is used for resource allocation, thereby preventing errors and maintaining system functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If server virtualization is applied to consolidate control system components, then cost savings in equipment installation and operations are achieved, but the risk of system failure increases due to potential errors in hardware allocation data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by validating hardware allocation data before it is actually used to allocate resources. The validation process checks the data against predefined conditions and allocation rules before the virtual machine is initiated, preventing erroneous data from causing system failures while still enabling cost savings through virtualization consolidation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hardware allocation data is manually set by engineers, then flexibility in resource allocation is achieved, but the likelihood of errors in data setting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by automatically validating manually entered hardware allocation data against predefined conditions and allocation rules. The system provides feedback to engineers about whether their manually set data is valid or contains errors, allowing them to correct mistakes while maintaining the flexibility of manual configuration.
3Reliability
If validation of hardware allocation data is implemented, then system reliability is improved, but the complexity of the engineering tool increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having the validation system automatically check hardware allocation data against predefined conditions without requiring manual intervention or complex configuration. The system serves itself by autonomously validating data and preventing errors, reducing the perceived complexity for users while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An engineering tool includes a hardware-allocation-data storage, an allocation-condition storage, and a tool processor. Hardware allocation data is to be downloaded to a controller that executes a host operating system (OS), and represents hardware allocation to each of the host OS and a guest OS that runs on a virtual machine implemented on the host OS. The allocation-condition storage stores therein hardware allocation conditions for the host OS and the guest OS. The tool processor causes a display to display a settings screen for inputting the hardware allocation data; after determining that the input hardware allocation data satisfies the allocation conditions stored in the allocation-condition storage, saves the input hardware allocation data in the hardware-allocation-data storage; and after determining that the input hardware allocation data fails to satisfy the allocation conditions, refrains from saving the input hardware allocation data therein.