Hierarchical Resource Management for Computing Utilities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Computing utilities face challenges in dynamically responding to changing customer needs for infrastructure resources, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational costs due to static resource allocation and the need for manual reconfiguration.

Innovation Solution

A hierarchical provisioning and management system that allows for the dynamic allocation and assignment of resources within a computing infrastructure, enabling flexible resource sharing and management across multiple customer domains, with policies controlling resource usage and allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If static allocation of resources is used to satisfy peak demand, then service reliability is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice reliabilityVSAvoidresource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation through automated provisioning systems that continuously monitor workload demands and adjust resource allocation in real-time. This allows the system to maintain service reliability during peak demands while optimizing resource utilization by releasing or reassigning resources during low-demand periods, directly resolving the contradiction between static allocation reliability and resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The automated provisioning system enables self-service capabilities where the computing utility automatically detects workload changes and reallocates resources without manual intervention. This self-adjusting mechanism ensures service reliability is maintained during peaks while preventing resource waste during off-peak times, addressing both aspects of the contradiction simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If infrastructure resources are reconfigured dynamically in response to customer needs, then adaptability is improved, but operational complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to customer needsVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an automated provisioning system as an intermediary layer between customer needs and physical infrastructure resources. This intermediary automatically translates workload demands into resource allocation decisions, enabling high adaptability to changing customer needs while shielding operational personnel from the complexity of manual reconfiguration tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical reconfiguration operations with automated software-based provisioning. This substitution eliminates the need for administrative personnel to physically move or reconfigure hardware components, thereby maintaining adaptability to customer needs while dramatically reducing operational complexity and human intervention requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual reconfiguration of hardware is performed, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but time consumption deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automated provisioning system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring resource allocation policies and templates in advance. When workload demands change, the system can rapidly instantiate pre-planned resource configurations, achieving flexible resource allocation while minimizing the time required for reconfiguration compared to manual hardware movement and setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By replacing manual hardware reconfiguration with automated virtualization and software-defined resource allocation, the system achieves the same level of resource allocation flexibility instantaneously or near-instantaneously, eliminating the time-consuming nature of physical hardware manipulation while maintaining adaptability to changing demands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8655997B2Hierarchical resource management for a computing utility

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 SERVICENOW INC

AI summary

This invention provides for the hierarchical provisioning and management of a computing infrastructure which is used to provide computing services to the customers of the service provider that operates the infrastructure. Infrastructure resources can include those acquired from other service providers. The invention provides architecture for hierarchical management of computing infrastructures. It allows the dynamic provisioning and assignment of resources to computing environments. Customers can have multiple computing environments within their domain. The service provider shares its resources across multiple customer domains and arbitrates on the use of resources between and within domains. The invention enables resources to be dedicated to a specific customer domain or to a specific computing environment. Customers can specify acquisition and distribution policy which controls their use of resources within their domains.