Moving Edge Server Task Offloading for Failure Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
IoT devices face challenges in processing and storing data due to limited computation capabilities, and edge servers in inaccessible environments like farms, deserts, or water bodies encounter network and power issues, making it difficult to maintain conventional edge servers.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized mechanism for offloading tasks from a failing edge server integrated with a moving vehicle, involving error detection, handover, and takeover services among peer moving edge servers to dynamically reassign tasks based on hardware and software failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional edge servers are deployed in inaccessible environments (farms, deserts, peaks, water bodies), then computation resources are brought closer to users, but network and power issues arise making it difficult to install and maintain these servers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static edge servers into dynamic moving edge servers that can relocate themselves. Instead of permanently deploying servers in inaccessible environments where power and maintenance are problematic, the system uses vehicles equipped with edge computing capabilities to dynamically provide computation resources. The servers move to different locations based on demand, avoiding the need for permanent installation in challenging environments while still bringing computation close to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a task offloading mechanism as an intermediary between IoT devices and moving edge servers. When a server fails or becomes unavailable, the system automatically offloads tasks to alternative moving edge servers through a coordinated network. This intermediary offloading mechanism ensures service continuity without requiring direct human intervention for maintenance in inaccessible locations.
2Productivity
If edge servers are deployed in remote areas, then computation capability is provided to IoT devices, but network issues prevent reliable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses moving edge servers that can dynamically relocate to areas with better network connectivity. Instead of relying on fixed infrastructure in remote areas with poor network coverage, the computation resources move to locations where network conditions are favorable, maintaining both productivity and reliability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a monitoring and feedback mechanism that tracks the operational status, network conditions, and task completion status of moving edge servers. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts task allocation and server positioning to optimize both data processing capability and network reliability.
3Reliability
If tasks are offloaded from a failing edge server, then service continuity is maintained, but task completion delay occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements proactive task offloading before server failure occurs. The system monitors server health metrics and preemptively transfers tasks to alternative moving edge servers when degradation is detected, rather than waiting for complete failure. This preliminary action maintains service continuity while minimizing task completion delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous task execution by maintaining multiple active moving edge servers that can immediately take over tasks. The parallel operation of multiple servers and the seamless task handover mechanism eliminate gaps in service delivery, maintaining both reliability and timely completion.
4Reliability
If multiple peer moving edge servers are used for task offloading, then service reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal task management framework that works across multiple moving edge servers with different capabilities. The system uses standardized interfaces and protocols that allow any server in the network to perform any task, eliminating the need for complex server-specific management logic and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability through redundancy.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are techniques for offloading a task from an edge server that is integrated with a moving vehicle. One or more tasks are executed while performing monitoring of hardware and software components. In response to the monitoring, a failure is identified. In response to determining that the failure prevents the one or more tasks from being completed, a request message is broadcast to a plurality of peer moving edge servers to request assistance, an acknowledgement is received from each of the plurality of peer moving edge servers, one or more of the plurality of the peer moving edge servers is selected, and the one or more tasks are handed over to the selected one or more peer moving edge servers. In response to determining that the failure does not prevent the one or more tasks from being completed, continuing execution of the one or more tasks.