Hierarchical Server Management System for Reducing Administrative Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of interactions between client-side and server systems, particularly in large-scale business environments, leads to a significant burden on server administrators due to the intricate relationships among various servers, resulting in complex management and frequent errors.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for managing servers using a hierarchical structure with at least four layers (cluster, group, set, and unit) in a tree topology, allowing for efficient classification, operation command analysis, and forwarding, enabling effective management and capacity expansion while ensuring smooth fault handling and resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If servers are distributed according to different business logics in a cluster, then the service capability and adaptability are improved, but the management complexity and difficulty of operation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the server cluster into a hierarchical structure with four distinct layers: cluster layer, group layer, set layer, and unit layer. Each layer manages specific aspects of server organization, dividing the complex management task into smaller, more manageable segments. The cluster layer handles high-level service routing, while lower layers manage increasingly specific server groups and units, reducing overall management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multi-dimensional hierarchical structure that adds organizational dimensions to server management. Instead of flat clustering, servers are organized across four hierarchical dimensions (cluster→group→set→unit), allowing administrators to navigate and manage servers through multiple organizational perspectives, thereby simplifying complex relationships.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of servers and business logics increases, then the service coverage and functionality are improved, but the burden on administrators and frequency of errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intelligent agents as intermediaries between administrators and the complex server infrastructure. These agents reside on servers and automatically handle routine management tasks, command execution, and status reporting. Administrators interact with simplified interfaces while agents manage the complexity behind the scenes, reducing administrator burden despite increased server quantities.
Solution Approach 2:
The hierarchical structure enables self-service capabilities where each layer can autonomously manage its subordinate units. Cluster layers can automatically route commands to appropriate groups, groups can manage their sets, and sets can coordinate units, reducing the need for centralized administrator intervention in routine operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If servers are organized in a flat cluster structure, then the deployment is simple, but the relationship management among servers becomes complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested hierarchical structure where units are contained within sets, sets within groups, and groups within clusters. This nested organization allows servers to belong to multiple hierarchical contexts simultaneously, enabling clear relationship management through defined containment relationships rather than complex peer-to-peer connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing servers includes at a central server having one or more processors and memory for storing one or more programs to be executed by the processors: obtaining configuration file for clustering servers; classifying each server into one layer of a hierarchical structure based on business logic associated with the server defined in the configuration file; receiving an operation command from an administrator; analyzing the operation command to identify a target server for executing the operation command; and forwarding the operation command to the target server through a path in the hierarchical structure defined in the operation command.