Host Performance Statistics Device for Converged Data Center Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional management approaches for networked computer systems in converged data centers lack integrated visibility and control, leading to potential performance issues due to the interdependence of networking, storage, and server resources, as different functional groups manage their respective areas with limited visibility into other components.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating and analyzing host performance statistics by associating physical or virtual components with network interface information, such as MAC addresses or SNMP ifIndex, to provide data center-wide visibility and integrated management, using the sFlow standard for monitoring high-speed networks and incorporating power and temperature measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If different functional groups manage networking, storage, and servers separately with their own management tools, then each group can independently monitor and control their resources, but there is limited visibility into other components and inability to correlate cross-functional performance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate management functions for networking, storage, and servers into a unified management system. The host performance statistics device aggregates performance data from multiple functional areas (CPU, memory, storage, networking) and correlates them with network traffic data, enabling centralized visibility while preserving the operational independence of each functional group through standardized data collection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The management system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors host performance statistics, analyzes network traffic, correlates data across different functional areas, and provides unified reporting. This multi-functional approach allows a single system to serve networking, storage, and server management needs without replacing existing specialized tools.
2Adaptability or versatility
If server virtualization and storage convergence are implemented to create dynamic infrastructure, then resource efficiency and flexibility improve, but the interdependence of functions increases vulnerability to system-wide performance problems
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously collects performance statistics from virtualized hosts and storage devices, correlates this data with network traffic information, and provides feedback mechanisms to detect performance degradation patterns. By monitoring CPU utilization, memory usage, storage I/O, and network bandwidth together, the system can identify emerging bottlenecks and alert operators before they cause system-wide failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The management system proactively analyzes performance trends and correlates data across functional areas to predict potential performance issues before they impact service. By establishing baseline performance metrics and detecting deviations early, the system enables preventive actions to maintain stability in the converged infrastructure.
3Loss of information
If performance statistics are collected and analyzed with associated network interface information, then integrated visibility and control are achieved, but data collection and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary components (host performance statistics devices, network traffic analysis devices, and correlation devices) that act as mediators between data sources and the management system. These intermediaries standardize data collection from diverse sources (SNMP agents, sFlow exporters, performance monitoring tools) and pre-process data before correlation, reducing the complexity burden on the central management system.
Solution Approach 2:
The management architecture is segmented into independent functional modules: host performance statistics collection, network traffic analysis, data correlation, and reporting. Each module handles specific tasks independently, allowing parallel processing and reducing overall system complexity. The segmentation enables incremental deployment and easier maintenance of the integrated management system.
Data Source
AI summary
To generate performance statistics of a host, a physical or virtual component of the host is associated with network interface information corresponding to one or more physical or virtual network interface devices disposed in the host. The performance statistics of the physical or virtual component together with the associated network interface information are periodically transmitted. The network interface information may be a MAC address or an SNMP ifIndex associated with the physical or virtual network interface devices. The SNMP ifIndex may be used to retrieve a corresponding MAC address. The transmitted network interface information is used to analyze the performance statistics of the associated physical or virtual component. The performance statistic may represent a CPU usage, a memory usage, a disk usage, an I/O usage, power consumption, or temperature of the physical or virtual component.