Layer-Based IT Policy Management for Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of standards and taxonomy between infrastructure administrators and application developers leads to sub-optimal configuration and placement of application workloads in IT infrastructure, resulting in inefficient resource allocation and management.
Innovation Solution
A layer-based infrastructure management model that partitions policy definition and enforcement into a hierarchy of abstraction layers, allowing for independent management, clear policy scopes, and lifecycle management across multiple nodes, enabling optimal resource allocation and workload instantiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a unified infrastructure management approach is used without layer-based abstraction, then management simplicity is maintained, but resource allocation efficiency and policy enforcement capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the infrastructure management system into multiple abstraction layers (physical layer, virtualization layer, orchestration layer, application layer), where each layer handles specific management functions independently. This segmentation enables efficient resource allocation at each layer without requiring complex end-to-end management, thus improving productivity while controlling complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension of abstraction layers above the traditional horizontal infrastructure stack. This dimensional change allows policy definition and enforcement to occur at multiple levels simultaneously, enabling sophisticated resource management without increasing operational complexity, as each layer operates with its own simplified management plane.
2Productivity
If infrastructure configuration is managed without standardized taxonomy, then flexibility in customization is maintained, but configuration optimization and workload placement efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal taxonomy framework that defines standardized resource types, attributes, and policies across all infrastructure components. This universal framework enables automated workload placement optimization while maintaining configuration flexibility, as the standardized structure allows for consistent policy enforcement across diverse workloads without restricting customization options at specific layers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If policy enforcement is centralized without layer-based partitioning, then policy consistency is maintained, but enforcement scalability and lifecycle management capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments policy enforcement across multiple abstraction layers, with each layer responsible for enforcing policies relevant to its domain. This segmentation enables scalable lifecycle management as policies can be defined and enforced independently at each layer, reducing the complexity of managing end-to-end policy consistency while maintaining adaptability through layered policy partitions.
Data Source
AI summary
A layer-based method and system for defining and enforcing policies in an information technology (IT) environment. Specifically, the disclosed method and system propose and implement a layer-based infrastructure management model, which partitions the scope and problem set of application and operational policy definition and/or enforcement into a hierarchy of abstraction layers.