IPAM System for Virtual Cloud Metadata Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing virtual resources across multiple virtualization tiers in a cloud environment is challenging due to 'virtual sprawl,' making it difficult to obtain and maintain information about virtual resources, especially with access restrictions in place for security.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an Internet Protocol Address Management (IPAM) system that collects and organizes metadata information about virtual resources, automatically provisions IP addresses, and manages DNS registrations within the virtual cloud environment, using an IPAM appliance to interface with virtualization layers and global cloud managers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If virtualization is used to host multiple virtual resources on a single physical machine, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but management complexity and difficulty of obtaining information about virtual resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an IPAM system as an intermediary layer between virtual resources and administrators. This system collects metadata from virtualization tiers, maintains a centralized database of virtual resource information, and provides automated IP address management and DNS registration services, thereby simplifying the management of virtualized environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The IPAM system performs multiple functions including metadata collection from various virtualization tiers, centralized storage and management of virtual resource information, automated IP address provisioning, and DNS registration. This multi-functional approach consolidates management tasks that would otherwise be scattered across different systems.
2Reliability
If access restrictions are placed on virtual environments for security, then security is improved, but ability to obtain information about virtual resources deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The IPAM system acts as a trusted intermediary that collects metadata from virtual resources through secure interfaces with virtualization management systems. It maintains a centralized database that provides information about virtual resources without requiring direct access to the restricted virtual environments, thus preserving security while enabling information management.
3Measurement precision
If manual management of virtual resources is used, then control precision is maintained, but time consumption and operational efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The IPAM system enables automated self-service for virtual resource management. It automatically discovers virtual resources, provisions IP addresses, and performs DNS registrations without manual intervention. This automation maintains control precision through systematic processes while dramatically reducing time consumption compared to manual management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring IP address pools, defining naming conventions, and establishing DNS configurations before virtual resources are deployed. This preparation enables automated, precise management of virtual resources as they are created, eliminating the need for manual configuration later.
Data Source
AI summary
Processing infrastructure metadata information about a virtual resource of a virtual cloud is disclosed. Infrastructure metadata information is collected. The collected metadata information is about a virtual resource of a virtual cloud. A storage of infrastructure metadata information is updated. The updating of the storage of infrastructure metadata information is performed using the collected information.